FAQs

Where are your products made?

We design and manufacture all of our products in Romania. pamantean is first and foremost a Romanian brand so we want to share a piece of that culture through our productions. At the same time, we want to support our local communities and the general EU market.

Most of our secondary products used for packaging, shipping etc. are also locally sourced.

Where do you get your raw materials from?

We think carefully about who we want to work with when we start designing a new product. Cotton grown in Turkey is not the same as cotton grown in India - there are subtle differences that can make one more suitable for a certain project over the other like climate, cultivar, processing etc. We choose our raw materials from trustworthy sources and strive to celebrate their origin through our designs and productions.

Each item in our store lists the origin of the raw materials in detail: from fibres to thread to label.

Are your products unisex?

In short, yes. We design our products with versatility in mind and offer them in a large array of sizes.

Are your products GOTS certified?

For us the GOTS certification is similar to the ecological label on certain products in the supermarket. It is fantastic if you do not know the source firsthand because it enforces certain regulations that the producer needs to abide by.

We try to get to know our sources personally and enforce our own high standards independent of any certification. So, in short, no, not all of our products are GOTS certified. Some are built out of GOTS certified material, some are fully GOTS certified and some have no GOTS certification at all. That being said, all of our products are manufactured to the same high standard that we impose.

Are your products organic?

We are committed to working with the best possible materials out there. Best in terms of quality, best for our earth and best for the people. From that perspective, yes, all of our products are organic.

Strictly from a certification perspective, we believe our standards to be higher than that. A lot of our products are certified organic but we do not rely solely on that when we choose our raw materials.

What is the difference between conventional and organically grown cotton?

Conventional cotton farming relies on synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified seeds to maximize yield. These practices almost always lead to compromised soil health, water quality, and surrounding ecosystems.

Organic cotton, by contrast, is grown from non-GMO seeds without synthetic chemicals. It relies on natural farming practices that support healthier soil, use less water over time, and promote a natural ecosystem. These farms are built to be sustainable in the long run.

The result is a cotton that’s not only better for the planet, but often softer and more durable.

Are your products pre-shrunk?

Yes, all of our garments go through a washing cycle at 30°C before being shipped to you. If you follow the Wash & Care instructions listed for each product, any additional shrinkage will remain minimal. The garment will reach its final proportions after approximately 2-3 more washes.

What exactly is an indigo vat and how does it work?

An indigo vat is a dye bath specifically prepared to make indigo dye soluble in water. Since indigo is naturally insoluble, it must first be transformed into its soluble form before it can penetrate textile fibers.

To achieve this, the vat must contain a reducing agent (fruit sugars are one example) responsible for converting indigo into its soluble form, as well as a base (lime for example) that raises the pH of the solution. The alkaline conditions help the reduction process occur efficiently and keep the reduced indigo dissolved in the vat.

During dyeing, the fabric is repeatedly dipped into the vat and then exposed to air. As it oxidizes, the reduced indigo converts back into insoluble indigo, becoming trapped within the fibers. Repeated dips gradually build up the color and produce deeper shades of blue.

What to expect from my naturally dyed indigo garments?

Indigo doesn't chemically bond to the fibers, instead it gets trapped within them. The result is a fabric with a lot more character and depth compared to one dyed with modern synthetic dyes.

Expect your garments to develop and age beautifully with wear. Over time, the color will gradually fade, revealing a unique pattern of wear shaped by how you live and move.

Clothes that have been dyed in a fermented indigo vat have a unique smell. This is completely normal and will fade over time.

How important is it to follow the Wash & Care instructions for each product?

Quite important because those instructions are meant to protect your garment and ensure that it has a happy, long life in your wardrobe.

Let's talk about organic cotton as an example. By washing it at maximum of 40°C you make sure that the fibers are allowed to relax slowly after production over multiple cycles of wash and wear and eventually reach a balance. Hot water will cause these to relax more abruptly which will lead to shrinkage and even minor deformities in the garment. On top of that, hot water is more damaging, mechanically, for the cellulose fibers in the long run.

Unless the wording clearly indicates option by using phrases such as "if possible" or "if available" then you can treat all instructions as vital for your garment's life.

I received a small piece of carton with some thread wrapped around it with my order. What is it?

Thank you for your trust and support! That little piece of carton is our Repair Kit. When we built pamantean we wanted our products to serve our customers for years to come. That is why, we have decided to offer with each purchase a small Kit that you can use to keep your garments in tip-top shape. Close small holes, replace missing buttons, patch worn out areas - really make it your own.

Do you ever host sales?

We rarely have sales and these are usually unpredictable. We have decided instead to price our products fairly from the beginning.

That being said, for certain products in our line-up we do offer a 3-pack variant, which essentially allows you to purchase more items at a discount.

How do you handle the leftovers that result from production?

Our current production output is small enough that it allows us to use all the textile waste for our own garden as fertilizer. We collect everything, compost it and then use it to nourish our plants and trees.

When it comes to indigo dyeing, a well-maintained vat can last for many months before it is exhausted. Once it has served its purpose, we return its contents to our compost. Made entirely from natural, biodegradable ingredients, the vat leaves behind organic matter and traces of indigo that can be safely reintegrated into the soil, completing a natural cycle.

As we expand our production capabilities, we will be looking for more land to feed.

How do you package your products?

Most of our products come wrapped in a light, 100% organic cotton fabric designed to be reused. Use it as a gift wrapper, tablecloth for solo dinners or even a dust rag - if that floats your boat.

For the outer layer, we stick to kraft paper and cardboard boxes. We avoid plastic as much as possible, simply because it’s so difficult to get rid of.

If you still have questions, do not hesitate to Contact Us.