Why we make our coats as they are ordered

Most fashion brands manufacture coats in bulk months before winter, warehouse them, and hope they sell. I don't do that. At The Checkroom, every coat is made as it's ordered, cut and sewn in here in Chicago, by our skilled team, after you purchase, in your chosen size and color. No bulk runs. No excess inventory. No season-end markdowns on coats that never found a home.
This is a deliberate choice, and I think it's the right one.

What making as ordered means for you

No shortcuts. 

When a coat needs to hit a markdown price, something has to give - the fabric, the lining, the construction, the labor. In short, the quality. I don't cut a coat until it's been ordered, so there's no markdown math forcing a corner to be cut somewhere. The coat you receive is the coat I would have made regardless, because I only make coats I'm proud to put my name on.

Less Waste.

Most brands manufacture hundreds of coats before a single one is sold, then discount, donate, or discard what's left at the end of the season. At The Checkroom, nothing gets cut until there's an order behind it. No mountain of unsold coats at the end of the season. Our regenerative wool fabrics are a precious commodity that are used only when an order has been placed.

Returns and exchanges, always. 

Made as ordered is not the same as custom-made. Our coats are standard sizes and are fully eligible for returns and exchanges within 30 days of delivery. If your coat isn't right for you, we will find a new home for it. See our return policy for details. If there is a small aspect of the coat that you would like to have customized, I can work with you to create an order that is non-refundable. See our FAQ's for more.

 

How long does it take?

Most orders ship in approximately 4 weeks.  We keep a small quantity of popular sizes and colors in stock, if your size is available immediately, you'll see it indicated on the product page and it will ship within 2–4 business days. Not sure about timing? Email liz@coatcheckchicago.com and I will give you an honest estimate.

This is what slow fashion looks like in practice.  Not a slogan, not a certification. A studio that makes one coat at a time here in Chicago, from wool grown on American farms, because that's how you make something worth cherishing.

Our customers say it's "worth the wait." I can't imagine doing it any other way.