Tried on a pair of Kuyichi jeans, but they’re just not your thing? No problem, you’ve got 30 days to send them back. We get it, shopping online can be tricky. Sometimes the fit isn't quite right for your body, or the style just doesn't feel like you. But have you ever wondered what actually happens after you send something back? Let’s dive into it.

The problem with clothing returns

Returns and online purchases are a package deal. Across the industry, up to 40% of all e-commerce fashion orders are returned. That’s nearly half of everything ordered online. Those returns come at a cost, both financially and environmentally. But behind the scenes, returns create a much bigger challenge than most people realise. Not every item makes it back onto the (virtual) shop floor. Clothing that’s worn, damaged, or returned without tags often can’t be resold. In fact, the European Environment Agency estimates that between 22% and 43% of returned clothing is ultimately destroyed. Only 25% gets recycled. The rest ends up in landfills or is incinerated. That’s a huge waste of resources, energy, and perfectly good clothes.

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Why you should leave the tags on

One of the simplest ways to reduce waste from returns is by keeping the original tags attached. It may seem like a minor detail, but it makes a significant difference. Without tags, we can’t sell the product as new. Replacing missing tags requires extra materials, labour, and time. Something that simply isn’t feasible for a small brand like ours. Warehouses also don’t have the product knowledge to do it correctly. Besides, without tags, we can’t guarantee an item hasn’t been worn, which creates hygiene concerns. So if you’re trying on your jeans at home, please do so with care and keep the tags attached. If you return something, it must be in its original condition, just as you received it. No tags = no refund!

What Kuyichi does with returned clothing

We oppose the incineration of returned clothes as it is a waste of valuable resources. At Kuyichi, we approach returns in a different way. If your item returns to us in the same condition as we sent it to you, it will be put back on stock. When the tags are missing or there are small damages, it goes into quarantine and is later sold at a reduced price in our Sample Sale. When we receive returns that aren’t suitable for resale, we look for other solutions. For example, we use them for upcycled collections such as KUYICHI x MENDED or donate them to creatives like Petra from Indigo Raven.

Of course, the best return is no return at all, but we understand that it’s unavoidable. Especially when it comes to buying denim online. We do our best to help you get it right the first time. Our detailed size and fit guides, realistic product photos and no seasonal sales help to make well-considered choices to prevent unnecessary returns. It’s the same thinking that goes on behind not offering free returns. We want you to think carefully before buying.

"If you return something, it must be in its original condition, just as you received it"

Your responsibility in returns

We understand that returns are a part of online shopping and that they always will be. But we believe they don’t have to come at the cost of the planet. So if you do return something, know that we’ll handle it with care and do everything we can to pass it forward. Just make sure those tags are still on, it's in the same condition, and you send it back within 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Of course, the best return is no return at all, but we understand that it’s unavoidable. If it doesn’t fit right or is just not what you expected, you'd better return it than keep it and never wear it. However, returning clothing without its tags, dirty, stained, or obviously worn, causes unnecessary textile waste. Just be conscious about your returns and you’ll stay on the good side ;)
The tags on clothing are essential in reselling the item. They often have the barcodes needed in the warehouse and guarantee that an item has not been worn before returning it, as a kind of hygienic assurance. It is also too costly and time-intensive to replace the tags. An item without its tags typically means it is unsellable.
It differs per brand what happens to your clothes, but incineration or dumping is a common practice. Dumping usually means that it is shipped to another country. Here, it leads to new problems, as reselling and recycling possibilities are limited. At Kuyichi, we strive to give each item a new wearer, either by reselling it in our office sample sale or donating it to creatives who remake it. The items left go to a buyer who sells them in countries where we’re not active.