Making our clothing to order means we avoid the emissions and waste that come with overproduction. Unlike other brands with unsold garments that are likely incinerated (burning comes with its own CO₂ emissions) or end up in landfill (not great ecologically speaking). Now, we’re focused on improving the efficiency of our patterns and the energy usage of our ateliers. For more on our approach to responsible production, check out our FAQs.

The raw fibers we choose make a big difference. With our on-demand process already minimizing waste, up to ⅔ of our impact comes from this stage – before the clothing has even been made. We focus on natural, renewable, biodegradable materials as well as durability to extend the lifespan of your clothing. We've been finding ways to integrate even lower-impact materials too, like recycled wool and eco-down. Head to our FAQs for how we choose our materials and the most sustainable options available.

Transportation is a relatively small slice of our total emissions, but we’re still working to lessen our footprint here. For domestic and continental deliveries, we use more sustainable options like truck and train. When the delivery is intercontinental, we use a mix of train, sea, and airfreight. We’re currently working on making these deliveries flight-free. Read our FAQS for a more detailed look at our logistics and transport.

Right now, our priority is integrating more recycled or low-impact materials and seeing where we can ditch packaging completely. In our stores, you'll pick up your garment in an FSC-certified paper bag (or box if you order shoes). We also offer reusable 100% recycled storage bags for your knitwear. On the logistics side, we’re working to minimize shipping materials where possible and get rid of any non-functional packaging. See our FAQS for more about our packaging and the results we’ve seen so far.

The things we often take for granted at home – no discrimination, no child labor, a living wage, safe conditions – are the bare minimum of what we expect everywhere. We want to make this industry something to be proud of, so we are going further and setting higher standards for all our workers. Learn more about our ateliers in our FAQs.

Bottom line: only wash your clothes when absolutely necessary (especially jeans!). Usually, it’s more of a habit than a necessity to wash after each wear. Washing less often slows down ageing and fading. Many garments can simply be aired between wear (especially wool, which is naturally resistant to stains, odor, and grease). You’ll not only maximize the lifespan of your garment, but save water, time, and money.

When there is a need for a wash, due to spots or odor, wash on a low temp (30 degrees) with mild detergent. Preferably non-toxic, biodegradable, or eco-friendly options. Using more detergent will not make your clothes cleaner. Softeners are not necessary for our garments either, the chemicals can damage both the garment and environment. If you’d really like to use one, choose eco-friendly and turn items inside out.

It’s always worth waiting until you have enough clothes for a full load. That said, be careful not to overload the machine either as this can contribute to poor washing and friction that will make your product age faster. As a rule of thumb, make sure you have a little room left in the drum and wash it on a lower spin cycle too. It is more gentle on delicate fibers and will help maintain the structure and quality of your garment.

We strongly advise you to avoid using a dryer. Air-dry your clothing whenever possible on a clothing rack or line. Not only will you be saving energy (and minimizing your impact), but this will also reduce fading in your garments. The best part is hanging your clothes out to dry is easy and costs nothing, with little need to steam or iron them afterwards. For jeans and knitwear, leave them to dry on a flat surface away from direct sunlight.

Ideally, wear your garments no more than twice a week, with at least a day of rest in-between. Never wash any of our coats, jackets, or trousers yourself. Wait until dry cleaning is needed, then take them to a professional service. If a suit is worn once a week, we suggest once a year. Traditional dry-cleaning services are unfortunately not very sustainable as most use chemicals harmful to the environment. Ask if they use an ecological solvent and opt for a reusable garment bag to reduce plastic waste.

Try to fix any tears or rips as soon as they appear with a skilled tailor. This will expand the lifespan of your item and help reduce waste. If one of your Atelier Munro items could use some love, come by one of our stores and we’ll be happy to advise where to go. When it comes to your knitwear, it’s normal to produce excess fiber or ‘pilling’ in the early stages of wear. After 2 or 3 washes the wool will settle. To help keep pilling under control, you can remove it carefully with a soft brush or the appropriate comb.