FRANC FAQ
GENERAL
Where does the name Franc come from?
Honesty has always been something we all valued greatly. When our founder got down to mapping out this new brand she started by listing the values she wanted the brand to have; honesty was pretty much top of the list. So when it came to finding the perfect name, she used that list of values and started brainstorming. Almost immediately the phrase “Let’s be Frank” stood out. So she ran with it and then softened it a little with a C.
What made you want to get into the business of ethical, sustainable clothing?
Our founder worked in the fashion industry for a long time (over a decade) for many different small and large brands. Over the years, she disliked many things about the standard practices in fashion when eventually realized it was time to create my own brand that fixed as many of those problems.
Do your employees get benefits, paid sick days, etc.?
We currently only have one full employee which is the founder, right now we don't have benefits or sick days but plan to ensure we have this in place when we are able to hire. We do work with many partners, consultants and freelancers to keep Franc a well-oiled machine.
What other brands and products are being pared with your basics in photos?
When it comes to our pictures, the other items our products are styled with belong to the models. I always ask models to bring their fave items, and we style our basics around those. We think photos always turn out best when the person feels comfortable and at their best. Plus, real-life style forever!
Where do you get your raw material? Where do you source your fabric from?
Our fabric is custom knit and dyed for us here in Toronto. As for the material, the TENCEL is from Austria, and our GOTS Organic Cotton is from Turkey. Both materials are spun into yarns in a certified facility in Turkey.
How have you managed to make the clothes so affordable considering all the challenging aspects of ethical, slow fashion?
Selling directly to the customer makes this financially viable for us. If we sold to stores or boutiques, we would have to add another 50-60% on top of our current margins. Since we don't ever plan to sell wholesale, we cut this margin out of our clothes. This also means our margins are tighter than other brands, so you won't see us going on sale a lot.
Do you sometimes keep stock low (on seasonal items specifically) to keep interest high?
Not at all. We keep low stock because that's all we have left in stock and we like to sell out of items rather than dispose of them. Disposing of leftover/overstock is the norm of the fashion industry (generally, brands aim to sell only 60% of goods and dispose of the rest), which is why it's not the norm to see low stock items still online. We also are not always able to restock styles quickly or within the same season. Once we are out of custom fabric, we are in a waiting game waiting for more to be custom knit and dyed for us sometimes, this process takes longer and doesn't allow for a timely restock. There is also another post that talks about how we handle overstock that might add more context.
How long does it take to make a piece?
From concept to production, anywhere between 4-6 months. Each stage of production has its own timeline: fabric itself can take 6-9 weeks while garment sewing and finishing can take about 4 weeks.
SIZING AND FIT
How does your sizing work?
Sizing is not standard (but it should be), which is why we approach sizing a bit differently. We see size as a mix of fit *and* sizing, between that and our size charts we try to and make you feel as confident as possible about picking the right size for you when ordering. We base all our styles on 4 different fits: loose, relaxed, regular and slim. Each garment that is designed under the same fit will fit your body the same (as they are based on the same base measurements).
Where do I find your size chart/guide?
Each style has it's own unique size chart (the link is located just above the sizes on each styles page). These size charts show exactly how the unique garment measures.
How do I pick my size?
We suggest you start with your go-to size > check the fit > check the size chart to make sure it will be as loose or fitted as you personally prefer. And if that doesn’t work, use the chat option, helping to pick a size is our not so secret superpower.
FABRIC AND GARMENT DETAILS
What kind of fabrics are your items made in?
We use a Tencel/Cotton/Lycra blend fabric, as we grow and are able to meet high minimums we hope to be able to make that blend even more eco friendly and add more fabric choices to our lineup. We focus on natural fibre fabrics that feel great, are comfortable, can be machine washed (in cold) and hangs in all the right ways off bodies. Check the FABRIC+CARE tab on each item to see details for each style.
Where are your fabrics made?
All our fabrics are be knit and dyed (using OEKO TEX bluesign dyes. in Toronto, using TENCEL blended yarns that have been spun and dyed specifically for us.
the FABRIC+CARE tab on each item to see details for each style.
RETURNS
What is your return policy?
Our return process is super easy, scouts honour. Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds on sale or discounted items. We do accept returns for unwashed/unworn items that still have the tags on within 30 days of placing your order. You can visit our Returns page for more details.
What do you consider a defect?
When something arrives already ruined (for whatever reason), if you notice a knitting hole, stitches are unfinished, or something else after approx 1 or 2 wears. Unfortunately, we cannot fix items after regular wear and tear comes into play (holes, broken stitches, or tears are all examples). We try our best to make clothes that last but wear and tear is very different for all, and we cannot guarantee a length of time for any garment. Unfortunately, we are not large enough to fix items or offer refunds for items that have been worn or show regular signs of wear. If you like, you can email us (at help@wearfranc.com) with photos, but be prepared if your order is more than a week or two old and shows signs of regular wear and tear, we may not be able to accept it for a fix.
SHIPPING
Do you offer a pick-up option?
We do not have that option right now.
Does FRANC ship in individual plastic bags?
This used to be a hard no, and we fought long and hard to keep it that way, but as we keep growing, it is increasingly challenging to keep items clean and safe without some protection.
We have begun storing and shipping items in compostable bags. Our warehouse could not keep our things clean and safe without them. We tried many other options, but unfortunately, they will start arriving in individual compostable bags to keep your items secure. But we are still plastic-free.
Where do you ship?
We ship worldwide, but our lowest rates are within North America (Canada and the US). You can visit our Shipping page for more details.
Can I change or cancel my order after it has been placed?
Yes, within one hour we can make changes and we can cancel your order as long as it hasn't shipped yet. Please email us as soon as you realize you need to make a change and we will see what we can do!
OFFICE DETAILS
Where is your office located?
We currently work remotely of Downtown-ish Toronto, Canada. Our team is small and mostly made up of talented freelancers, contractors and consultants.
Where is your factory located?
We work with two local factories (this is where all our items are cut and sewn) they are pretty much our neighbour. They are about 18 km from where we work in Toronto (and about 2km away from each other) - which makes our regular visits to both locations a breeze.
OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS
Can I buy your basics in a store or boutique?
Unfortunately no, we sell exclusively online to you - the main reason for this is so we can leave out the retail mark-up (read more about that here) which helps keep our prices fair. From time to time we do have pop-up shops, where you can come see our basics in real life, you can follow our blog to stay up to date with those - or even easier subscriber to our newsletter (scroll all the way down and enter your email).
I want to carry your items in my store, do you wholesale?
We do not wholesale but email us info@wearfranc.com as we are interested in collaborating with like-minded stores and brands.
I have more questions, I am curious about many things!
We have a series of Ask Us Anything Posts, where Brandy answered questions regularly, you might find some your questions answered in there.
What if the style/size/colour I want is sold out?
We do sometimes re-stock the styles that sell well as long as the demand in there. However as a small business who has our fabric custom knit and dyed, it is not always possible to restock in a timely manner as knitting, dyeing and sewing take time. We would always suggest to not hold out hoping for a colour to arrive, as often holding out results in a low demand for the item.