Frequently asked questions

The garment and its materials

What it is made of, who makes it and where it comes from.

What is Manta del Lago clothing made of?

Of 100% cotton manta, with no blends and no synthetic fibers. It is a cool, breathable, hard-wearing cloth that softens with wear and washing instead of falling apart.

What is manta?

Manta is a plain-woven cotton cloth, traditional in Mexico and used here for generations for everyday and working clothes. It breathes, it weighs little and it handles heat far better than any synthetic. It is the cloth our entire collection is made from.

Is the embroidery done by hand?

Yes. The embroidery on every garment is done by hand, piece by piece, by artisan embroiderers. That is why the stitching varies slightly from one garment to the next, and why an embroidered piece takes as long as it takes: there is no way to rush that work without it showing.

Where are your garments made?

On the shore of Lake Chapala and the villages around it, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. We design, cut and sew in our own workshop, and the embroidery is done by artisans from the area. We are a family business: we do not outsource production to another country, and we do not buy finished garments to resell.

Will the color match the photo exactly?

Measurements and pattern are identical between pieces of the same model. What can vary slightly is the shade: dyeing is a natural process, and every screen shows color differently. It is a slight difference, not a different color.

Do you make menswear?

Yes. The men's collection has shirts, trousers, shorts and jackets. The women's collection has dresses, blouses, trousers, jumpers and shorts. All in the same cotton manta.

Sizing and fit

What sizes we make, how to choose between two, and how manta falls on the body.

What sizes do you carry?

Every model is made from XS to 4XL. What varies is availability: we do not always have every size in stock at the same time. The sizes available for each garment are shown on its own product page, and if yours is not listed, write to us and we will tell you when it is back.

How do I know which size to order?

Measure your bust, waist and hips and compare them against the chart in our size guide. That is more reliable than going by the size you wear in other brands, because manta falls differently from a knit fabric.

I am between two sizes — which should I pick?

Choose by how you want it to sit, not by the number: the smaller size for a closer fit, the larger one for a looser drape. If the garment has a loose cut to begin with, the smaller size almost always works.

Is the fit loose or fitted?

It depends on the design. Manta is a fabric with a loose drape, so several models are meant to be worn relaxed; others have darts, belts or waistbands that define the silhouette. Each product description says how the piece is meant to sit.

Does the size change after the first wash?

Very little. Natural cotton contracts slightly the first time it is washed; with cold water and line drying in the shade the change is minimal and the garment keeps its shape.

Care and shrinkage

What we are asked most. Cared for this way, a manta garment lasts years.

Does manta shrink?

Natural cotton contracts a little with the first wash. That is expected and it is not a defect. Washed in cold water and dried in the shade, the change is minimal and the garment keeps its shape.

What really shrinks cotton is hot water and the tumble dryer. Those two are the number one cause of a cotton garment losing its size.

How do I wash my garment?

• By hand or on a delicate cycle, in cold water.
• With a mild detergent. No chlorine and no bleach: the embroidery loses its color.
• Turn it inside out before washing, to protect the embroidery.
• Do not wring it out. Press the water out with a towel.

The full guide is in Caring for your garments.

Can I put it in the dryer?

You can, though it is not what we recommend. The garment comes out more wrinkled — it smooths out again with wear — and the dryer is what contributes most to cotton shrinking. If you do use it, run it on low and take the garment out while it is still slightly damp.

Drying flat in the shade is still best. Direct sun fades the embroidery.

Can I wash it with the rest of my laundry?

Not the first few times. Natural dyes release a little color at first, so wash it on its own or with similar shades for the first few washes. After that you can wash it with everything else, always cold.

Can it be ironed?

Yes. On medium heat, inside out, while the garment is still slightly damp. Avoid running the iron directly over the embroidery.

Does it need dry cleaning?

No need: it is cotton and it washes at home without trouble. If you take it anyway, ask for a delicate process and mention that it is hand embroidered.

How should I store it?

Folded, somewhere dry and ventilated. Heavily embroidered pieces keep better folded than hung, because the weight of the embroidery can distort the shoulders.

Shipping and delivery times

Every garment leaves our workshop packed by hand. These are the real timelines.

How long will my order take to arrive?

We prepare your order and hand it to the carrier within 1 to 3 business days of payment being confirmed. Carrier time is added on top of that: 5 to 7 business days with standard shipping, or 1 to 2 with express.

In total, 6 to 10 business days with standard shipping within Mexico, and 2 to 5 with express. Orders placed on a weekend or a holiday start counting the next business day.

How much is shipping within Mexico?

Free shipping applies from $1,500 MXN and is calculated on the order total after discounts and before shipping cost.

Do you ship to the United States?

Yes. A flat rate of $1,000 MXN, converted to your currency at checkout, with estimated delivery of 5 to 8 business days. The price already includes import duties and taxes, so there is nothing extra to pay when your parcel arrives.

Do you ship to other countries?

Yes, but we quote case by case. Write to admin@mantadellago.com before ordering and we will confirm the rate, the timeline and the import taxes for your country.

How do I track my order?

When the parcel leaves the workshop we email you the tracking number and link. If it does not arrive, check your spam folder or write to us and we will resend it.

I entered the wrong address — can it be corrected?

Yes, at no cost, as long as the order has not left the workshop. Write to us straight away with your order number. If a parcel comes back because the address was incomplete or nobody received it, we can resend it with the new shipping at your cost, or refund the value of the garments minus the shipping already paid.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes, at no cost, as long as the shipping label has not been generated. Write to us with your order number and we refund the full amount to your original payment method.

My parcel has not moved in days — what do I do?

If tracking has been stuck for more than 7 business days, write to us and we open the investigation with the carrier ourselves. If the parcel is confirmed lost, we either replace the garments or refund you, your choice. If a parcel arrives damaged, photograph it before opening it and send us the photo within 48 hours of delivery.

Exchanges, returns and warranty

Three different routes depending on the reason. The full detail is in our refund policy.

Can I return a garment I did not like?

Yes. If you tell us within 5 business days of receiving your order, you can return it with no explanation at all, and you choose how to get the amount back: store credit — valid for 6 months and issued the same day we receive the garment — or a refund to your original payment method, which we process within the following 5 business days.

Between day 6 and day 14 we still accept the return, but the amount is issued as store credit for the value of the garments.

What condition does the garment have to come back in?

Unworn, unwashed and with its original tags. You can try it on, exactly as you would in a shop. What we cannot accept is a garment that comes back worn, washed, ironed, stained, or carrying odors, perfume, makeup, pet hair or alterations. If we find something, we send you photos before deciding anything.

Can I exchange it for another size?

Yes. Up to day 14 you can exchange your garment for another size or another model, paying the difference if there is one.

Who pays return shipping?

You do, when the return is because you changed your mind. If the garment was faulty or we sent you the wrong thing, we cover both the return shipping and the replacement.

Is there a warranty?

Yes: 90 days against manufacturing defects, counted from delivery. You have up to 2 months from receiving the order to claim, and you choose what you prefer: a replacement, a refund to your original payment method, or a partial credit. The warranty applies equally to sale items and to customized pieces — a discount does not cancel the warranty.

What does not count as a defect?

• Slight variations in the shade of the dye, inherent to a natural process.
• Shrinkage or distortion caused by washing the garment outside our care instructions — hot water or a tumble dryer.
• Normal wear and tear after the warranty period.

If you are not sure whether what you are seeing is a defect, send us a photo. We would rather look at it than say no by email.

What is a “piece with a flaw”?

It is a garment we publish with a flaw already described and photographed on its product page, at a lower price precisely because of it. That specific flaw is not grounds for a return, because you bought it knowing about it. Any other defect is covered as normal.

How do I start a return or an exchange?

Write to admin@mantadellago.com or on WhatsApp at +52 33 1066 1627 with your order number, your name, the reason, and a photo if it is a defect. We reply with the instructions and the return address; once we authorize the return you have 7 calendar days to send the garment back.

Payment, taxes and invoicing

How you can pay, what the price includes, and invoicing for Mexican customers.

What payment methods do you accept?

Credit and debit cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Maestro — plus PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cash at OXXO for customers in Mexico.

Do prices include tax?

Yes. Prices are set in Mexican pesos and include Mexican VAT. Shipping is calculated and shown separately before you confirm the purchase. Orders to the United States already include import duties and taxes in the shipping rate.

Can I get a Mexican tax invoice (factura)?

Yes. Write to admin@mantadellago.com within the same calendar month as your purchase with your order number, your constancia de situación fiscal and the CFDI use you need. After that month it can no longer be issued, and once issued it cannot be modified.

Can discount codes be combined?

No, unless we say so explicitly. They cannot be applied retroactively to an order already placed, and they do not apply to wholesale purchases. Each code runs for the period stated in its promotion.

Is it safe to pay on your site?

Yes. Payments are processed on Shopify's secure platform and we never store your card details.

Wholesale, stores and contact

If you sell our clothing, if you want to see it in person, or if you need to talk to someone.

Do you sell wholesale?

Yes. We work with shops and resellers on their own pricing and minimums. The details and the request form are on our wholesale page.

Do you have physical stores?

Yes, two — and in both you can see, touch and try on the garments:

• Ajijic: Morelos 1a, 45920 Ajijic, Jalisco. Open daily, 10:00 to 18:00.
• San Pedro Tlaquepaque: C. Juárez 149B, Centro, 45500 San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Jalisco. Open daily, 11:00 to 20:00.

How do I contact you?

• WhatsApp and phone: +52 33 1066 1627
• Email: admin@mantadellago.com
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 14:00, Central Mexico time.

We reply within 24 business hours, and you will be talking to us.