I would love to tell you that all our garments are made in Australia, but as yet, we haven’t been able to make this happen.  

All the wool used in Lady Kate knits is grown in Australia, but from that point, the process moves overseas.  There are no spinners that can spin our type of yarn in Australia, so we have selected trusted and Woolmark certified spinners based in Europe and Asia for our yarn.  We have been seeking an Australian knitter for a few years now but at the moment, there are only two knitters in Australia with the capability to knit our garments, and although we’ve contacted them, both are at capacity.  Which is great for them and for Aussie made!  

Instead we have partnered with a wonderful supplier in Vietnam, who is Woolmark certified for quality, and uses ethical labour practices.  We have been working together for three years now and have formed a great understanding of each other’s businesses and refined our working processes to deliver beautiful garments.

I still hope to be able to make at least some of my products in Australia in the future, so please, if you’re in the industry and know something that I don’t, please get in touch!  But for now, be assured that you are receiving knitwear that has been made with quality, ethics and a whole lot of gratitude from all of us.

Woolmark certification means that a supplier and/or product has been independently tested, by Woolmark, the body that governs Australian Merino wool, to make sure it withstands their quality tests.  If you see the Woolmark logo on a garment it has been tested for washability, colour fastness, pilling and provenance (to prove where the wool comes from).

As a fourth generation woolgrower, I’ve seen ALL SORTS of wool labelled ‘Australian wool’ ‘Australian Merino’ etc and passed off as a quality garment, when really it feels itchy and rough.  If you buy these garments, you’ll be put off wool for life!  The Woolmark certification is the one thing that can protect the reputation of our Aussie woolgrowers, so that you can rest assured knowing you are receiving the best they can grow.

Merino is a breed of sheep, renowned for growing soft, white wool that is perfect for luxury clothing.  It is a natural fibre, with sheep being grazed on pastures – not feed lots – and growing a new fleece every year.  Merino wool is softer than other wools, which can be prickly or itchy and should really only be used in carpet, furnishings etc, and not in our clothes.

At Lady Kate, we’ve spent years (literally!) searching for and refining our yarn to make sure we’re giving you the best Merino wool available.  We want to convert you to love Merino wool as much as we do, so we use the best quality there is – soft as silk, warm and durable, resistant to pilling (this is REALLY hard to achieve!) AND machine washable.

All Lady Kate Knitwear is machine washable (since 2022 – if you bought a garment before then, it may be hand-wash only, just check the label).  All you need is a gentle cycle, cold water and approved wool detergent.  For more detailed instructions, check the label inside your garment, or read here: https://ladykate.com.au/pages/care-information 

Yep, we do!  We live in a rural area so we do A LOT of online shopping, and know how hard it is to choose something on screen.  So we offer free shipping (over $100) and free returns (in Australia) so you can try on in the comfort of your own home.  If you find the style isn’t right for you, that’s ok!  We get it!  Just email info@ladykate.com.au and we will send you a return post label so you can send the garment back to us.  Then we can organise an exchange, credit or full refund for you.

We cover return postage costs on all returns within Australia.  Just email info@ladykate.com.au and let us know you’d like to return it for a refund, store credit or exchange and we will send you a return post label.  All you need to do is print it out and stick onto the front of the bag (you can use the same satchel you received it in) and drop into an Australia Post outlet.  Just make sure the garment is unworn, all the labels are still on, and the garment is in its garment bag.

**If you purchased your garment from one of our lovely stockists, you’ll need to talk to them about their returns process directly**

Any products that are in stock are despatched within 2 business days (MOST of the time if the order is placed by 2pm Qld time, we’ll send it that same day).  We send from our warehouse in Brisbane, using Australia Post, so you can check here to get an idea of how long it will take to arrive: https://auspost.com.au/service-updates

Once you place the order you will receive an email or SMS notification with a tracking number so you know exactly when to expect it.

If you can’t wait for regular delivery, you can choose Express Post at the checkout for an extra $5.

And if you’re looking at one of our ‘pre-order’ products, the expected shipping date will be on the product page, and once the stock arrives and we can narrow this date down, we’ll email you with an update.