FAQs
CUSTOMER CARE
If you have a question about a product or your order, please contact our Style and Service Specialists by sending an e-mail, by calling
E-mail: Click here
E-mail address: customerservice@softsurroundings.com
Fax: 1-314-569-8471
This privacy policy applies to information we collect: - On our Websites; - In email, text, and other electronic messages between you and our Websites; - From our affiliate, Coldwater International LLC; - When you interact with our advertising and applications on third-party websites and services, if those applications or advertising include links to this privacy policy; and - Offline or through any other means.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Modal
A term used to describe fibers of regenerated cellulose. These fibers, when fully processed and in a wet state, are able to withstand a great deal of force. This material is used when you want a naturally soft and durable garment.
Modal is currently called the new wonder fabric. Made from beech wood chips, this fabric combines the benefits of natural fiber and the fantastically soft feel of modern microforms. It is a new kind of natural fabric with the ability to absorb moisture like cotton and the luster of silk. It remains soft and lustrous after several washes. Wear modal when you want a fine drape and luxurious feel to a garment.
Pearl Fiber
A fabric that contains nano-grade pearl powder made from freshwater pearls. It is added to a fabric fiber to increase softness and moisture management.
Adding tiny bits of pearl powder to the clothing fibers in fabric was first invented in the Far East. The purpose of this highly sophisticated process is to add a great deal of softness to the fabric. It's been said that nano-grade pearl powder, when added to a fabric fiber, allows fabric to breathe better and manage moisture more efficiently. When mixed with other soft fibers it enhances the softness of the fabric. Wear a pearl fiber fabric when you want the ultimate in softness, comfort and breathability in a fabric.
Pima Cotton
A very strong, high-grade cotton of medium staple (weave) developed from selected Egyptian cottons in the southwest United States. Pima cotton is chosen for its durability, strength and absorbency.
Pima cotton originated in the Sea Islands of South Carolina as early as the 1790s. The cotton seed was interbred with varieties from Egypt to develop the Pima variety. Improvements in Pima cotton have continued since its introduction. "The real breakthrough came in 1951 when a seed was developed and introduced that produced a pima cotton with superior fiber properties, luster and silkiness ... as well as an unusually high yield," says the Supima Association, a trade group. Cotton in general can absorb and release perspiration rather quickly, allowing the fabric to breathe. It can tolerate high temperatures and takes dyes very easily. Use a pima cotton fabric when you want a soft, natural cotton feel that's durable in nature.
Sandwashed Silk
Silk is a natural filament fiber produced by the silkworm in the construction of its cocoon. Most silk is collected from cultivated worms. The chief portion of commercial silk is from Asia, primarily China and Japan. Sandwashed silk is chosen for its soft texture.
Characteristics of silk are: resiliency, aesthetics, elasticity and strength, warm in winter, cool in summer. Sandwashing is a finishing process in which the silk is literally washed with sand or another abrasive material to produce a soft, sueded feel and a faded appearance. Wear a sandwashed silk material when you want softness, excellent drape and outstanding feel to the fabric.
Tencel
A fabric made from the cellulose found in wood pulp which is processed into a silk-like, delicate fabric.
This new fiber also represents a milestone in the development of environmentally sustainable textiles. Tencel is a natural, man-made fiber. It is the trade name for the generic fiber Lyocell. Tencel is known for absorbing moisture and quickly releasing it into the atmosphere. It's also known for being soft because the fine surface of the fiber has low fiber stiffness. In the fabric world, Tencel is known for its "drape". It flatters the human form. The look is luxurious and refined. It is also known to be more comfortable for those with sensitive skin. Wear tencel fabric when you want a great flow to a garment.
Viscose
Viscose starts out as a viscous solution prepared by treating cellulose with caustic soda and carbon bisulfide. Eventually this turns into fibers used as a textile known as rayon.
Several manufacturers including Lenzing have been able to make superb quality environmentally safe viscose for fabrics by using the waste products and recycling or selling them. Use viscose when you want a soft flowing look for summer, or if it is blended with polyester to enhance the natural aesthetic and breathability of a garment.
ORDERING
Please note that Soft Surroundings designs are only sold at www.softsurroundings.com. We are not affiliated with any other sites or organizations that may be claiming to sell our products.
We are sympathetic to concerns you may have about online commerce and the potential for fraud. We have done our homework and have engineered our site to make use of the most powerful security and encryption techniques available under the law.
Methods of Payment
We accept the following payment methods:
- MasterCard
- Visa
- Discover/NOVUS
- American Express
- Merchandise Credit
- Discount Coupon
- PayPal
Please do not send cash. We are only able to accept credit cards that have a U.S. based issuing bank.
If you use a debit card to place your order, your bank will show two transaction entries: a "pre-authorization hold" and the final sale. The "pre-authorization hold" allows Soft Surroundings to verify your debit card information so that we may begin processing your order. This hold is typically removed by your bank within two to three days, depending on your specific bank's policies. Unfortunately, with a debit card, the pre-authorization hold and final charge are not combined into one single transaction, and therefore will appear twice on your statement. Please know that this is not a policy specific to Soft Surroundings; this is the financial industry policy regarding online transactions for debit cards.
To begin shopping, either type the 5-digit Product Number (e.g., 12345) from your catalog or a product keyword in the "Search" box. Press return or the Go button to begin your search. If an exact match appears, you will be automatically directed to the "Product Detail" page. If your search results in more than one match, you may search again or browse any subcategory. To view a product in detail, click the thumbnail photo.
You also may shop by category. First, click a category, then a subcategory. To browse additional thumbnail photos, click the page numbers (found on the lower left hand corner of your browser window).
Once you've made your color, size and quantity selection from the pull-down menus on the "Product Detail" or "QuickView" page, click Add to Shopping Bag. To continue shopping, search or browse again.
To complete your order, click Shopping Bag and follow the step-by-step instructions. When you submit your order, you will immediately receive an Internet confirmation number to confirm that your information was securely and successfully captured by our Web site.
Immediately after placing your order, you will receive an electronic receipt via e-mail. The subject of this e-mail is: "Soft Surroundings Web Site Order." For your convenience, this e-mail will again confirm that your information was successfully captured by our Web site - it will not confirm stock status or show price adjustments.
24 to 48 hours after placing your order, you will receive an order confirmation via e-mail. The subject of the e-mail is: "Soft Surroundings Order Confirmation." This e-mail will include your Order Number, which can be used to track your order online anytime. It also will confirm whether your order was successfully processed in our system, the stock status of each product, any additional charges for shipping destinations outside the contiguous U.S., and/or any price adjustments. Please print this e-mail or put it in a safe place.
Your order will have an Internet confirmation number and an Order Number. Both of these numbers reference the same order and will not cause a duplicate.
We do not authorize the purchase of our merchandise for resale purposes. We reserve the right to limit or prohibit orders that appear in our sole judgment to be placed by dealers, resellers or distributors. If we limit or cancel an order, we will attempt to notify the purchaser by using the contact information provided at the time the order was placed.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Our Style and Service Specialists - via our toll-free number or e-mail - are available to help you determine the proper size. The size charts, as well as garment specific measurements, are available on each product detail page as you shop.
"If your measurements fall between two sizes, you may prefer the larger size. Please remember, measurements shown are body, not garment measurements. Inseam and dress lengths are listed in the item descriptions. Gowns are measured from the high point of the shoulder to the hem, unless otherwise indicated."
View size chartPRODUCT REVIEWS
Rating and reviewing a product is an easy process. Just follow these three easy steps:
SEARCH Find the product you would like to review using the search box at the top right corner of this page. You may search by product name or the five-digit item number. On the product's page, click on the "write" link next to the stars. You will be asked to Log In to write a review.
RATE Give the product an overall rating between 1 and 5 stars and then enter your review comments. Try to be as specific as possible and focus on your individual experience with the product. Click here for Review Guidelines.
SUBMIT Preview your review. If you are satisfied with it, click "Submit". Ratings and written comments are generally posted within two to four business days.