Information on repairs and re-dyeing
MITTAN clothes are not designed to be worn for one season, but to be worn on and on, even when the fabric is close to wearing through. To help you keep wearing them for as long as possible, we offer repairs and re-dyeing.
It does not matter when or where you bought the garment. After discussing the repair with you, our staff mend it in-house. We also re-dye garments in natural indigo, plant dyes and Bengala, and in dark navy, black and other deep colours using reactive dyes.
All repairs and re-dyeing are carried out in Japan, so for now the garment needs to be sent to us in Japan.
Examples of past repairs and re-dyeing can be seen on our Instagram account.
How to request
1. Enquiry
Please read the information below and send your request using the form at the bottom of this page. We are also happy to answer general questions.
2. Estimate
We will reply within 2–3 working days. The price depends on the area to be repaired and the colour for re-dyeing.
3. Shipping
We will send you instructions by email. Please then send the garment to us. The cost of sending it to us is paid by the customer.
4. Return
We return the garment with an invoice for the repair or re-dyeing and the return shipping. Please check the finished garment, then make the payment.
Repair prices
| Tears (machine stitching) | |
|---|---|
| Approx. 10 cm × 10 cm | ¥1,100– |
| Approx. 15 cm × 15 cm | ¥1,650– |
| Approx. 20 cm × 20 cm | ¥2,200– |
| Approx. 25 cm × 25 cm | ¥2,750– |
| Tears (hand stitching) | |
| Approx. 5 cm × 5 cm | ¥1,500– |
| Approx. 10 cm × 10 cm | ¥2,750– |
| Shortening | |
| Standard shortening Straight hems, such as on pants | ¥550– |
| Special shortening Curved stitching, hems with slits, etc. | ¥1,100– |
| Knitwear | |
| Pill removal | ¥550– |
| Holes (darning) | ¥1,100– |
| Other | |
| Replacing the belt lining | ¥2,750– |
All prices include tax. Shipping is charged separately. The price depends on the area to be repaired, so please feel free to ask for an estimate.
Re-dyeing prices
The price of re-dyeing depends on the dye and the weight of the garment.
| Reactive dye Dark Brown, Dark Green, Dark Navy, Charcoal Gray, Black | Flat rate ¥2,200 |
|---|---|
| Natural indigo Natural Indigo, Dark Natural Indigo, Natural Indigo & Walnut | ¥2,750– to ¥5,500– |
| Plant dye Walnut, Dark Walnut, Dark Mugwort, Dark Horse Chestnut, etc. | ¥2,750– to ¥5,500– |
| Bengala dye White, Ash Brown, Light Pink, Pink, Olive Yellow | ¥2,750 to ¥4,400 |
| Pine soot dye | ¥2,750 to ¥4,400 |
| Charcoal dye | Flat rate ¥2,200 |
| Mud dye | ¥6,430– to ¥7,090– |
All prices include tax. Shipping is charged separately.
What we cannot accept
- We repair and re-dye MITTAN products only.
- We do not accept major design alterations, as they would make it difficult to keep the garment within the cycle of MITTAN products in the future.
- We may decline to shorten cut-and-sew jersey or sweaters, and to repair garments whose construction makes the work difficult.
About repeated repairs
- As repairs are repeated, patches and machine stitching build up on the garment. Please understand in advance that this will change its feel and fit to some degree.
- Over time, the cost of repairing a garment can become large. If you would be happy for someone else to wear it, we can buy it back, carry out the major repairs and pass it on to a new owner. Please see BUYBACK for details.
About re-dyeing
- Re-dyeing is for garments whose colour has faded with wear, so that they can be worn for many more years. We do not accept requests to change the colour of a garment straight after purchase, such as dyeing a new white garment a colour of your choice. Re-dyeing also puts some strain on the fabric, so as a rule please wear the garment for at least one season before asking.
- We take your wishes on the dye and the general depth of colour, but please leave the final shade to us. The result depends on the dye and the condition of the fabric at the time.
- If substances or stains have built up through wear, blotches or uneven patches may appear after dyeing in places that looked fine before.
- Light plant-dyed colours are especially prone to unevenness. Re-dyeing again to correct it may be charged, so we recommend darker shades if this is a concern.
- Because of how the yarn is spun, hand-woven fabrics may show random unevenness after re-dyeing.
- As a rule, re-dyeing cannot make a garment lighter. When dyeing from a dark colour to a lighter one, such as from Black to Charcoal Gray or from Black to Dark Navy, the original colour will remain strongly visible.
- When the fabric contains silk, re-dyeing to Charcoal Gray gives a strongly reddish result.
- Garments containing wool or other animal fibres can shrink considerably when dyed, so re-dyeing the whole garment is difficult. Some dyes, such as Bengala, may still be possible. Partial dyeing or added stitching can also make fading less noticeable, so please ask us.
- For care after re-dyeing, please see CARE.
Before you send a request
- If we find further areas that need repair when the garment arrives or after re-dyeing, such as fabric that has become soft or new holes, we may contact you to discuss them. In that case, the estimate may change.
- We may use before-and-after images of your garment. Thank you for your understanding.