Everything you need to know before you shop, order, or send in your denim. If your question is not here, reach us at mildblend.com or call the store at 773.772.9711.
1. Where is Mildblend Supply Co located and what are your store hours?
The store is at 1342 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 in Wicker Park. We are open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Walk-ins are always welcome. If you are coming specifically for denim repair or chain stitch hemming, no appointment is needed for most services.
2. Do you offer free shipping on online orders?
Yes. Orders of $200 or more ship free to the lower 48 states. Orders below that threshold will have standard shipping applied at checkout. We do not currently offer free shipping to Hawaii, Alaska, or international destinations. Shipping rates for those locations are calculated at checkout.
3. What is your return policy?
We accept returns and exchanges on full-price items in their original, unworn condition within 14 days of delivery. Returns are issued a store credit or exchange. Sale items are final sale; no returns or exchanges are permitted. If you are unsure about sizing before purchasing, we recommend reaching out to us directly. Our team knows every product we carry in detail and can help you get the right fit before you order.
4. How do I know what size to order in Japanese denim?
Japanese denim sizing does not always follow standard US conventions, and it varies between brands and even between cuts within the same brand. The most reliable approach is to measure yourself and compare against the specific garment measurements listed on each product page. We have a full sizing guide at mildblend.com/pages/how-we-measure that walks you through how to measure your waist, inseam, and seat correctly. When in doubt, call the store we fit customers in these garments every day and can advise on specific cuts.
5. What is the difference between raw denim and washed denim?
Raw denim, also called dry denim, has not been washed or treated after dyeing. It is stiff when new and will shrink slightly on first wash. The primary reason to wear raw denim is the fade because the indigo sits on the surface of the yarn, wear gradually removes it in patterns specific to your body and your habits. The result is a pair of jeans that develops a character unique to the person who has worn them. Washed denim has already been through a finishing process, making it softer and closer to its final dimensions from the start, with less fade potential over time.
6. What does unsanforized mean and will my jeans shrink?
Unsanforized denim has not been pre-shrunk. When it first contacts water whether through soaking or washing it will contract, sometimes by an inch or more in the waist and a significant amount in the inseam. Most experienced wearers do a controlled cold soak before wearing to manage this shrinkage upfront, then allow the jeans to dry on the body for the best fit. Sanforized denim has been pre-shrunk and will retain its measured dimensions through washing. Both types are available at Mildblend; each product page notes which treatment applies.
7. Do you offer chain stitch hemming, and how does it work?
Yes. Chain stitch hemming is available in-store and by mail. In-store hemming on denim purchased at Mildblend is complimentary and done on the spot, typically in around ten minutes. Chain stitch hemming on denim not purchased at the store is $25. We use a Union Special 43200G machine, which produces the proper rope fade at the hem that selvedge denim wearers look for. If you are mailing your jeans in, send them to: Mildblend Supply Co, Repair Department, 1342 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622. Allow 2 to 7 days for hemming services. Return shipping after the work is done is free.
8. Do you do denim repair, and what kinds of repairs can you handle?
Yes. We offer professional denim repair starting from $35. Common repairs include crotch blowouts, pocket bag repairs, seam reinforcement, and patch work. Repairs are handled by experienced hands who understand the construction of selvedge denim specifically not general alterations. To send your jeans in for repair, mail them to: Mildblend Supply Co, Repair Department, 1342 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for repair work. Return shipping is free once the work is complete.
9. How should I wash my selvedge denim for the best fades?
The general approach among serious denim wearers is to wash as infrequently as possible. Many go three to six months between washes, airing jeans after each wear and spot-cleaning small areas when needed. When washing is necessary, turn the jeans inside out, use cold water with a small amount of gentle detergent, and air dry away from direct heat or sunlight. Machine washing is possible on a gentle cold cycle, but hand washing or a cold soak produces better results for the indigo. Avoid the dryer; it accelerates fabric breakdown and dulls the contrast between faded and unfaded areas.
10. Do the brands you carry run true to size?
It depends on the brand and the specific cut. Japanese brands in particular often use their own sizing conventions; a size 32 in one label may fit differently from a size 32 in another. Iron Heart, Samurai Jeans, and Pure Blue Japan all have distinct fits. Alden and Red Wing boots also have specific width and last considerations. We know the fit of every item we carry and can advise accurately before you order. Reach out directly or consult the measurements on each product page we list actual garment dimensions, not just nominal sizes.
11. What brands do you stock at Mildblend?
We carry a carefully chosen range of Japanese denim, American workwear, heritage boots, and bags. On the denim side, this includes Iron Heart, Pure Blue Japan, Samurai Jeans, Studio D'Artisan, Momotaro, Japan Blue, Full Count, FDMTL, Big John, Rogue Territory, Naked and Famous, and others. For boots and shoes, we carry Red Wing, Alden, John Lofgren, and Shoes Like Pottery. Bags include Filson, Master-Piece, Bleu de Chauffe, and Porter Yoshida and Co. The full brand list is available on the site and we add new names selectively, based on construction quality and long-term value rather than seasonal trend.
12. Can I visit the store if I want advice on which denim brand or boot to buy?
Absolutely and we encourage it. The store team is trained on the technical details, construction, and fit characteristics of every product we carry. Luke Cho, who founded Mildblend in 2009, built the store around education as much as retail. Whether you are buying your first pair of raw denim or your tenth pair of Red Wings, you will leave with more knowledge than you arrived with. Walk-ins are welcome during store hours.
13. Do you carry women's clothing and footwear?
Yes. Mildblend carries a selection of women's clothing including denim, tops, and outerwear from a number of the brands in our collection. The women's section is available at mildblend.com/collections/women. Sizing and availability vary by brand contact us if you need help finding a specific item or size.
14. Do you offer gift cards?
Yes. Mildblend gift cards are available online at mildblend.com/collections/gift-card and can be used on any purchase in-store or online. They make a straightforward gift for anyone who takes clothing seriously and knows what they want or needs the time to decide.
15. How is Mildblend different from other places that sell Japanese denim?
Mildblend has been operating since 2009 long enough to have a genuine point of view on what belongs in the store and what does not. Every brand we carry was chosen for the quality of its construction and the integrity of its sourcing, not because it was trending at the time. The staff are not generalist retail workers; they know the technical details and the histories of the products on the floor, and they are willing to spend the time making sure you leave with the right thing. In-store services like chain stitch hemming and denim repair reflect the same commitment. We are not a warehouse that ships denim. We are a store built around the people who care about these garments as much as we do.
Still have a question? Call us at 773.772.9711, visit the store at 1342 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, or reach out through mildblend.com. We are here Monday through Saturday 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 6 PM.
