For those who have purchased U5LOVE

Thank you very much for choosing U5LOVE from among the many shops available. We are very happy that you have visited our website.

U5LOVE's clothing is made in Senegal, from purchasing fabric to sewing. Each piece is lovingly handmade by local artisans, so unlike mass-produced industrial products, there are individual differences in the materials and sewing.

Please read and understand the following information carefully before purchasing.

<Main fabrics used, their characteristics, and precautions>
Please see here for washing and handling instructions.

■ Wax | African Batik (all-over pattern fabric)
Features: Bold pattern created by batik. Made from thick, crisp cotton that becomes softer with each wash.
Appearance/Smell: When new, the product may have a distinctive smell (this will reduce after a few washes).

Points to note:
○Please be sure to wash the item separately as there is a possibility of color bleeding or staining during the first wash. Be especially careful with dark colors.
○The fabric has quality/manufacturer label stickers attached every 12 yards, and we try to remove them as carefully as possible, but in rare cases sticker residue or stickiness may remain.
○You may see wax-like streaks on the surface, but this is a characteristic of the material.
○Please avoid using high temperature irons or dryers (this may cause discoloration and deterioration).

■ Voile | Thin, sheer, cool fabric <br>Features: A lightweight plain weave material with excellent breathability and quick-drying properties.

Points to note:
○Because the fabric is thin, it is weak to strong friction and snagging and is prone to tearing, so please take care when putting it on and taking it off.
○Your inner layer may be visible. Light colors are especially prone to sheerness.
○Due to the stitching, there may be some slack or differences between the left and right sides.
○When washing, we recommend using a laundry net and washing by hand.

■ Vichy | Check fabric with a natural texture <br>Characteristics: Simple, rough plain weave. Good breathability.

Points to note:
Due to the characteristics of the fabric, neps (knots in the fibers) and unevenness in the weave may be found. Please understand that this is part of the traditional, rustic charm.
Loosely woven fabrics tend to fray easily. Strong friction or repeated washing can cause threads to come loose from the seams.
○Please use a laundry net or hand wash. We recommend shaping the garment and drying it in the shade.

■ Brodé | Luxury lace fabric with jewels <br>Features: The delicate lace and jewels give a gorgeous impression.

Points to note:
○ Beads may come off, become discolored, or become deformed due to wearing, washing, ironing, etc. White glue marks may remain where the beads come off. These marks are less noticeable on light-colored fabrics, but may be more noticeable on darker fabrics.
○The material is delicate and can easily get caught on things. Please be careful with bags, accessories, nails, etc.
Like wax, Brode fabric has quality/manufacturer labels attached every 15 yards. We try to remove these as carefully as possible, but in rare cases, sticker residue or stickiness may remain.

■ Motif | High-density, glossy, high-quality cotton <br>Features: High-density, luxurious material with embroidery and jewels. Individual differences in design and thickness may occur.

Points to note:
Some items contain jewels, which may come off with wear, washing, or ironing, or may become discolored or deformed. White glue marks may remain where the jewels have come off. These marks are less noticeable on light-colored fabrics, but may be more noticeable on darker fabrics.
The embroidered parts are prone to snagging and the threads may come loose. Please be careful with bags, accessories, fingernails, etc.
○ In the embroidered areas, there may be knots or beading on the backside of the fabric to finish the embroidery. Please note that this is not a processing error and does not constitute a defect.

■ Basin | High-density, high-quality cotton fabric <br>Features: Soft texture and glossy finish. Includes a traditional woven pattern.

Points to note:
○Friction may cause the surface to lose its luster.
○Slight shrinkage after washing. Drying in the shade is recommended.
○ Be careful of color fading and loose threads on embroidered items.

■ Wakh | Shiny and firm synthetic fabric <br>Characteristics: Crisp and firm, giving it a formal impression. With repeated washing, it becomes softer and more comfortable against the skin.

Points to note:
○Because the weave is coarse, the fabric tends to fray easily from the cut edges and seams. Threads may come loose if subjected to strong friction or repeated washing.
○It is prone to static electricity and has low moisture absorption.
○There may be unevenness in the weave, color, and wrinkles that are unique to the material, but please understand that this is not a defect but a characteristic of the material.
If you want to maintain a crisp texture, dry cleaning is recommended.

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<About sewing and tailoring>
At U5LOVE, we work with Senegalese tailors to carefully handcraft each piece.

In the region, overlock machines (sewing machines specially designed for finishing fabric edges) are not widely used, so it is common to finish the fabric by simply cutting it off.
Even in this environment, U5LOVE does not rely on sergers, but instead uses techniques also used in haute couture, such as French seams, three-folding, and three-rolling, paying attention to even the parts that cannot be seen.

These stitching techniques are time-consuming, but they contribute to comfort, durability, and beauty.
Please enjoy the leisure time that only U5LOVE can offer.

*As of June 2025

Please understand the following points in advance.
○U5LOVE's tailoring involves basic measures to prevent fraying, but depending on the characteristics of the fabric and the product structure, some materials may be more prone to fraying.
○As all processes are done by hand, there may be misalignment or crookedness in the seams. Also, as each piece is hand-cut, there may be individual differences in size and silhouette.
Many of the fabrics we use are all-over or geometric patterns. Therefore, there may be some misalignment in the direction or position of the pattern depending on the cutting position and the combination of sewing parts. At U5LOVE, we cherish this as a "one-of-a-kind charm" that cannot be found in industrial products.

<Products manufactured before February 2025>
Some items produced during this period may have slightly rough stitching due to the different sewing staff and tailoring specifications than those used today.

There are some areas where the product has been cut off (no edge finishing) or where the threads have been simply finished, but we inspect and repair the product to the extent that it does not interfere with use.

Due to the characteristics of the material and structure, there may be some parts that are difficult to completely repair. For such products, the condition will be clearly stated in the product description and supplementary images, so please be sure to check before ordering.

<Attention to detail in yukata sewing>
Traditionally, yukata are hand-sewn using traditional Japanese techniques, but at our atelier, we respect this tradition while carefully tailoring them using a sewing machine to suit modern lifestyles.

○At areas where fabric is joined, such as the center back and sleeves, we use a **French seam** that leaves no visible seam on the front or back.
○Parts where seams are visible, such as the hem and cuffs, are folded in three to prevent the edges of the fabric from sticking out.

We do not use sergers, and strive to sew in a way that achieves both high-quality appearance and practicality.

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About Mussol
The mussor is a traditional head accessory worn by women in Senegal and throughout West Africa. It can be worn in a variety of ways, from a simple turban to a voluminous, three-dimensional arrangement.

Approximately 90% of the population of Senegal is Muslim, and the mussor sometimes serves as a hijab. At U5LOVE, we provide mussors made from leftover fabric. Because we use leftover fabric, sizes may vary, and we may not be able to make the item you want if we don't have any leftover fabric.

We will indicate on each product page whether or not the item is made with Mussol, so please check.

How to use Musol in U5LOVE!!
⚪︎ Wrap it around your head as a hair accessory ⚪︎ Use it as a scarf ⚪︎ Wrap it around your bag as an accent ⚪︎ Wrap it around your body as a bandeau top

<Other points to note>
○The color and texture of the product image may differ slightly from the actual product depending on the lighting and monitor environment.
○The design and pattern will vary from item to item depending on how the fabric is cut, so they may not be exactly the same as the photo.
○Since we mainly use natural materials, there may be uneven color, knots in the fibers, and small weaving imperfections, but please understand that this is a characteristic of the material.

For the above reasons, we do not accept returns or exchanges.

lastly
U5LOVE's clothes cherish the unique texture and warmth of being made by hand. As a result, they lack the uniformity and perfection of industrially produced items, but it is this "traces of hand" that U5LOVE values. We hope you understand this and enjoy your one-of-a-kind piece.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.