It’s not often that a major publication takes an interest in the nitty gritty of harvesting musk ox fibre but last week’s The New Yorker did just that. Read here …
Our “coming attractions” video last week about our soon to debut line of Ox Socks attracted a good bit of interest and questions so I thought I would divert from …
We are a small staff and may not always be available to answer but please leave a phone number and we will call you back within 24 hours.
One size only
UK: 7-11 | EU: 41-46 | USA: 8-12
Selecting the correct size is important to you and us for a number of reasons:
The Qiviut Jacket is a limited edition which means that there are only limited quantities available in each of the four sizes that we offer.
(in inches – for guidance only)
| S | M | L | XL | |
| The Qiviut Jacket | 36 | 39 | 42 | 45 |
| UK and US | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
| Germany & France | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 |
| European | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 |
To find your correct size follow the diagram above and the instructions below, then compare your measurements to the body sizing chart.
Holding onto the beginning of the tape measure pass the other end of the tape measure around your back under your arms until it meets the beginning. Draw it in until it sits comfortably around your chest, not pulling it in too tightly. Note this measurement.
Holding onto the beginning of the tape measure pass the other end of the tape measure around to your back under your arms and over the fullest part of your chest. Let the tape measure meet drawing it in until it sits comfortably around your chest not pulling it too tightly. Note this measurement.
Holding onto the beginning of the tape measure below your navel and in line with your hips pass the other end of the tape measure around your back and across your hips until it meets the beginning. Draw it in until it sits comfortably around your hips, not pulling it too tightly. Note this measurement.
After finding the centre back measuring point at the bottom of your neck and the top of your back bone, pass your tape measure from this point over your shoulder to your elbow and then down your wrist. Note this measurement.
| MEN | S | M | L | XL |
| Chest | 36 in / 91.5 cm | 39 in / 99 cm | 42 in / 106.5 cm | 45 in / 114 cm |
| Waist | 31½ in / 80 cm | 35 in / 89 cm | 38½ in / 98 cm | 42 in / 107 cm |
| Hips | 38 in / 96 cm | 40¾ in / 103.5 cm | 43½ in / 111 cm | 46½ in / 118.5 cm |
| Arm (to wrist) | 31¾ in / 80 cm | 32¼ in / 82 cm | 33 in / 84 cm | 33¾ in / 86 cm |
| WOMEN | S | M | L | XL |
| Bust | 36 in / 91.5 cm | 39 in / 99 cm | 42 in / 106.5 cm | 45 in / 114 cm |
| Waist | 27½ in / 71 cm | 30½ in / 77.5 cm | 33½ in / 85 cm | 36½ in / 92.5 cm |
| Hips | 38 in / 97 cm | 41 in / 104.5 cm | 44 in / 112 cm | 47 in / 119.5 cm |
| Arm (to wrist) | 31 in / 78.5 cm | 31¾ in / 80.5 cm | 32½ in / 82.5 cm | 33¼ in / 84.5 cm |
Alternatively, if you have an existing jacket that fits you well you may just want to compare that garment’s measurements with the data for The Qiviut Jacket in the chart below consulting the jacket measuring points diagram for guidance. There are two additional body measurements that may be helpful to you for this purpose:
Find the top of your backbone below your neck and use this as your centre back measuring point. Holding onto the beginning of the tape measure at your centre back, drop the tape measure down to find the length at which The Qiviut Jacket will finish on you according to the Jacket Sizing Chart.
After finding the length of the jacket and where it finishes on you, you can then get an idea of the fit at the hem by passing a tape measure around your body at this point and letting the beginning of the tape meet at the measurement indicated in the Jacket Sizing Chart.
| S | M | L | XL | ||
| A | Chest | 45 in / 114.5 cm | 48 in / 122 cm | 51 in / 129.5 cm | 54 in / 137 cm |
| B | Hem | 41 in / 104.5 cm | 44 in / 112 cm | 47 in / 119.5 cm | 50 in / 127 cm |
| C | Back Length | 32¾ in / 83.5 cm | 33½ in / 85 cm | 34 in / 86.5 cm | 34½ in / 88 cm |
| D | Shoulder | 4¾ in / 12 cm | 5 in / 12.5 cm | 5⅛ in / 13 cm | 5¼ in / 13.5 cm |
| E | Sleeve | 27 in / 68.5 cm | 27½ in / 70 cm | 28⅛ in / 71.5 cm | 28¾ in / 73 cm |
| F | Hips | 41¾ in / 106.5 cm | 44¾ in / 114 cm | 47¾ in / 121.5 cm | 50¾ in / 129 cm |
| Chest | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
| 36 in / 91.5 cm | 38 in / 96.5 cm | 40 in / 101.5 cm | 42 in / 106.5 cm | 44 in / 111.5 cm |
| S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
| Chest (circumference) | 38⅛ in / 97 cm | 40⅛ in / 102 cm | 42½ in / 108 cm | 44¾ in / 114 cm | 47¼ in / 120 cm |
| Back Length | 26¾ in / 68 cm | 27½ in / 70 cm | 28&⅜ in / 72 cm | 29&⅛ in / 74 cm | 30 in / 76 cm |
| Shoulder Length | 5¾ in / 14.5 cm | 5⅞in / 15 cm | 6⅛ in / 15.5 cm | 6¼ in / 16 cm | 6½ in / 16.5 cm |
| Sleeve Length | 7½ in / 19 cm | 7¾ in / 20 cm | 8¼ in / 21 cm | 8½ in / 22 cm | 9 in / 23 cm |
Welcome to the QIVIUT & CO website and e-commerce store. QIVIUT & CO is the official brand name of QIVIUT & CO LIMITED, a limited liability company registered in England and Wales. When using our website or ordering goods from our e-commerce store you are subject to our rules, policies, guidelines, terms and conditions stated on this site or elsewhere in our company communications. We reserve the right to change this site and the terms and conditions at any time and without prior notice. Accessing, browsing, or otherwise using the site indicates your acceptance of our terms and conditions.
WARRANTY DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:
Other than as stated, we make no warranties or claims about our products or website. In general, while we stand behind our products and website content we shall in no way be liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages or compensation arising out of or in any way connected with the use of our products or reliance on the information provided on our website or in any other company communications. Accordingly, we do not make any representations regarding the use of our products or the content of our website and other communications in terms of accuracy and reliability. In the event of any dispute or claim, our liability will be strictly and solely limited to a full refund of the price of any products purchased and not otherwise subject to any monetary compensation.
COOKIE POLICY:
This site uses cookies – small text files that are placed on your machine to help the site provide a better user experience.
In general, cookies are used to retain user preferences, store information for things like shopping carts, and provide anonymous tracking data to third party applications like Google Analytics, all with a view to making your browsing experience better.
However, you may prefer to disable cookies on this site and on others. The most effective way to do this is to disable cookies in your browser. We suggest consulting the Help section of your browser or taking a look at the About Cookies website which offers guidance for all modern browsers
This cookies and privacy policy applies only to this website and does not apply to 3rd party sites or to other websites which we may link to or which may be framed by us. Please consult the cookies and privacy policy of such other websites for their terms of use.
PRIVACY:
QIVIUT & CO takes the privacy of our users and their personal data extremely seriously. We will never sell, exchange, rent or otherwise share your personal information without your consent at any time to anyone.
USING YOUR INFORMATION:
We will only collect such personal information as that which you have chosen to provide to us either by inquiry forms on the site or sending us other communications. Please do not send us any personal information you do not wish us to use.
COOKIES:
Cookies as described above are stored on the user’s device allowing us to recognise users and store relevant information about them to enhance the user experience and ensure security. We do not use cookies to store any information on the user’s device or to monitor that device’s activities. There are different types of cookies that may be stored on your device:
A session cookie which is removed when you close your browser. This cookie contains no information about you or your browser.
A persistent cookie which is stored on the user’s device between browser sessions allowing us to remember user preferences and actions. A first party cookie is set by the website whose address appears in the URL window.
A third party cookie is set from a domain that is different from the one visited by the user (e.g., Facebook, Google+, Twitter, etc.).
A third party cookie is controlled by the domain that sets it and not by us. Consult the cookies and privacy policy of those third parties to understand their usage of your data.
DISCLOSING YOUR INFORMATION:
We reserve the right to disclose personal information when required by applicable law or if we are ordered to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or other similar body.
YOUR AGREEMENT:
By browsing our website and giving us any personal data via cookies as set out above, you agree to our Cookies and Privacy Policy and how we use your personal data.
We reserve the right to change this policy from time to time without prior notice.
If we can’t answer your question below please feel free to contact us for further assistance.
Please consult the Sizing instructions link found at the footer of any page. As indicated therein, determining your correct size for The Qiviut Jacket and The Q & Co Tee is important for a number of reasons but the main one is that they are both limited edition garments and, therefore, only available in limited quantities in each size.
Accordingly, it is important to get the size right the first time because while we will gladly exchange for a different size we can only do so subject to availability. In the event we cannot provide the correct size on an exchange the full purchase price will be refunded.
Since musk ox are wild animals there are only three ways of harvesting their fibre:
1) Collecting it off of the tundra during the animals’ annual molt. As you can imagine, this is quite inefficient, is only done in small quantities by natives living near musk ox habitat and typically provides poor quality fibre contaminated with dirt and other residue that must be substantially processed before it is usable with potential damage to the fibre.
2) In the two locales where small, semi-domesticated herds of musk ox are husbanded, both in Alaska, the animals can be placed in a squeeze shoot to limit their mobility while their fibre is combed out by hand, also done during the annual molt. This can result in high quality fibre but is only available in very small quantities.
3) In Alaska, Canada and Greenland, primarily subsistence natives are permitted by the respective governments to hunt a limited number of musk ox for meat each winter, the limited number determined by what will maintain a healthy musk ox population in the respective locales. After dressing the animals from a successful hunt, the hunters sell off the hides to qiviut processors for extra income. The processors then comb out the fibre from the hides by hand. It is strictly a by-product of food acquisition.
QIVIUT & CO uses fibre sourced from processors in Canada and Greenland harvesting via the third method. Until now, these processors harvested qiviut to be made only into yarn for sale to home hobbyists knitting garments by hand.
The Qiviut Jacket and our qiviut accessories are the first use of musk ox fibre in garments manufactured in commercial quantities and, in the case of The Qiviut Jacket, using musk ox hair for insulation as well as knitted fabric. Needless to say, whether or not qiviut was harvested, musk ox would continue to be hunted in permitted numbers for their meat. But because it is harvested as a prized fibre, it provides significant economic benefit to the native hunters, the processors, and all of the small business people up the manufacturing chain who now have an expanded market for their goods and services.
We recognise that qiviut products are significant purchases for most people. At the same time, we completely stand behind the outstanding quality of what we sell and all of the claims we make for our products. Therefore, if you are dissatisfied with any item you purchase from us for any reason you can return it in its original and resaleable condition within 90 days of purchase for an exchange for another item(s) in our product line or a complete refund of the purchase price, no questions asked. (See a full description of our returns and exchange policy here.) We think 90 days is a reasonable, if not generous, period of time for someone to make up their mind about our products.
Just contact us at concierge@qiviutandco.com for return instructions. We will do all of the paperwork for you. That’s all there is to it.
What this guaranty does not mean is that you should expect a refund for an item returned to us in damaged or otherwise unsaleable condition or used for more than 90 days from purchase. That disclaimer notwithstanding, we are extremely customer service oriented and will do our best to accommodate any reasonable exchange or refund request. Our goal is to have satisfied non-customers as much as it is to have enthusiastic customers.
Most definitely but note that it is slightly different with our flagship product, The Qiviut Jacket. That is a special item because it is a numbered and registered limited edition whose unique identity is maintained in our jacket database. While a jacket is normally associated with the named purchaser in our database, when giving a jacket as a gift he or she may designate another individual for that purpose by contacting customer service at concierge@qiviutandco.com with that request. The gift recipient will then receive The Qiviut Jacket with his or her name on the Certificate of Authenticity.
Because our presentation of all QIVIUT & CO items when shipped is eye-catching already, we do not offer a gift wrapping option but we can include a personalised gift note by requesting same when e-mailing our concierge.
We currently ship worldwide except to Israel, Russia and Turkey where local restrictions make courier delivery difficult.
Depending upon the type of shipping requested (Normal or Express), shipping is free for orders above a certain order size ranging from £100 to £150. Where Normal shipping is slected the cost of returning or exchanging an item(s) is the responsibility of the customer.
Yes, by using the Concierge Call link found at the foot of any page on our website. As a small company we may not always be available but you can leave a phone number and we will call you back promptly.
We accept American Express, VISA and MasterCard credit or debit cards, and PayPal (including ApplePay or AndroidPay). We also accept electronic funds transfer. If you wish to pay by EFT, please contact our Concierge service for bank details.
The displayed list price of our products includes VAT at the UK rate for all shipments within the UK. Shipments to the rest of the world qualify for ex-VAT pricing that will be automatically calculated at checkout. However, import duty and taxes may be assessed by the destination country and remain the customer’s responsibility (see below). As of 1 January 2021, shipments to EU countries will qualify for ex-VAT pricing or may be 0% rated for VAT depending upon the country of origin of the goods being shipped. Again, any import duty and taxes assessed by the destination EU country remain the responsibility of the customer.
We offer tax free shopping for non-UK delivery destinations which is automatically calculated at checkout. This is to compensate for any import duties and taxes that may be levied by the non-UK destination country and paid by the customer so as to attempt to make our products approximately the same landed price no matter where in the world they are delivered.
Any customs or import duties for shipments to non-UK destinations are charged, if at all, once the parcel reaches its destination country. These charges are the responsibility of the recipient who will be advised by DHL, typically by text message, of the amount to be paid before delivery can be completed. Unfortunately, QIVIUT & CO has no control over these charges, and cannot tell you what the exact cost will be as customs policies and import duties vary widely from country to country. Most countries have online import duty and taxes estimators that can be found via a Google search or, if you wish, please contact concierge@qiviutandco.com and we can provide an estimate. Please note, however, that the customer takes full liability for all postal charges, return shipment costs, customs charges and handling fees should they refuse to accept a parcel due to import duties or taxes and authorises QIVIUT & CO to take payment for same.
Orders can be shipped from our fulfilment facility in the UK to most global destinations. For all orders received by 2PM UK time, despatch will be on the same day. For orders received after this time, despatch will occur the following business day.
We understand that “Free Shipping” is a very popular marketing technique and, in fact, offered it ourselves for the past years. However, for a business that wants to stay in business nothing is really “free” and most retailers mark up their prices to compensate for “free delivery”, particularly in the current economic climate when all carriers have increased their shipping rates dramatically.
We think most shoppers understand this these days and, therefore, have chosen to reduce our prices while being totally transparent about shipping charges that for the most part merely cover the real cost of delivery.
Shipping charges depend upon order size and destination. We offer customers two choices when it comes to shipping their orders: Standard Delivery and Express Delivery. Standard Delivery is done typically via Royal Mail with delivery times of 2-3 days (UK) and 5-12 days (ROW). Express Delivery is done typically via DPD (UK) and DHL (ROW) or similar couriers with delivery times of 1-2 days (UK) and 2-5 days (ROW). Except for very small orders, all shipments can be tracked and you will be advised of the tracking number upon despatch.
Shipping charges are as follows:
| LOCATION | STANDARD DELIVERY | EXPRESS DELIVERY |
| UK | £5 | £10 |
| EUROPE | UNDER £500 – £9 | UNDER £500 – £28 |
| OVER £500 – £15 | OVER £500 – £28 | |
| NORTH AMERICA | UNDER £500 – £15 | UNDER £500 – £40 |
| OVER £500 – £20 | OVER £500 – £60 | |
| REST OF WORLD | UNDER £500 – £20 | UNDER £500 – £50 |
| OVER £500 – £25 | OVER £500 – £70 |
Delivery service is selected at checkout and shipping charges are automatically calculated as part of your order total with Standard Delivery being the default option (also used in order Basket total).
RETURNS:
Our return policy is quite simple: You can return any QIVIUT & CO product in resellable condition (i.e., undamaged with all original packaging and garment tags) at any time within 90 days of purchase, no questions asked. We just need to be able to re-sell the item(s) you are returning. We will refund the full amount paid to us exclusive of any shipping charges. Refunds can only be made by crediting the purchaser’s original form of payment.
Returns for refund are accomplished by contacting our concierge service by e-mail at concierge@qiviutandco.com. We aim to respond within 24 hours with detailed return instructions. Shipping charges for returns are the responsibility of the customer when Standard Delivery is selected. We absorb the cost of returns when Express Delivery is used.
EXCHANGES:
Exchanges for size, colour or style may also be done within 90 days of purchase by the same e-mail request to our concierge service. However, an exchange for size of The Qiviut Jacket is a bit more complicated because of the numbering and registration of each jacket and the limited availability of sizes. A jacket once numbered on a Certificate of Authenticity always retains its limited edition registration number but is linked to a unique serial number on the garment in our database. The jacket number will be permanently referenced to the initial buyer or his or her designee but the serial number to which the jacket number is linked will change upon an exchange and a new Certificate of Authenticity issued. While we will always try to accommodate exchanges insofar as possible, because of the limited edition of The Qiviut Jacket a desired size may not be available. Where a satisfactory exchange cannot be accomplished a refund of the full amount paid to us will be made by crediting the buyer’s original form of payment.
• All returned items must be returned in resellable condition complete with any original tags and accessories. We just need to be able to re-sell the item(s) you are returning or exchanging.
• Shipping charges for returns and exchanges are free when the original order was shipped by Express Delivery but are the responsibility of the customer if Standard Delivery was used.
• A return or exchange should be sent in the same packaging it was received if possible or equivalent packaging if not.
• If returning an item from outside the UK, please prominently mark ‘RETURNED GOODS’ on the packaging to avoid any customs charges. We cannot be responsible for any return custom charges made and may refuse the shipment.
Please complete the form below and one of our concierges will reply within 24 hours.
The amazing qiviut fibre we use in our products has to be seen – and felt – to be believed. Please fill out your details below if you are interested in receiving a free sample to better appreciate the qiviut experience.
Sustainability is a core value at QIVIUT & CO. As explained in our FAQ, we currently acquire our qiviut and guard hair from animals hunted in the winter for meat by subsistence natives in Canada and Greenland as they have been doing for millennia and as permitted in limited numbers by the respective regional governments. The natives keep the meat and sell off the hides to the “mom and pop” processors who comb out the fibre we purchase. This supplies supplemental income to the natives and others involved in the supply chain. The number of permits issued varies each year according to the governmental determination of what amount can maintain the health of the overall musk ox population. These subsistence hunters hunt in order to survive in accordance with their traditional way of life, and QIVIUT & CO only uses the by-product of this centuries-old life sustaining food source. Unlike most furs and feathers used in clothing, the use of musk ox fibre has no impact on the amount of animals harvested.
This said, the long term goal of the company is to replicate the experience of two small operations in Alaska and create a substantial domesticated herd of musk ox which can be live combed annually for qiviut and guard hair. This effort will be particularly important if climate change continues to have an adverse impact on the arctic environment in which musk ox have survived and thrived for millennia.
Finally, all packaging that we use for our products is made from recyclable material and is itself recyclable to the maximum extent possible.
Like cashmere, qiviut is a delicate luxury fibre requiring particular care. Our official instruction is to SPECIALIST CLEAN all qiviut and cashmere items. However, either can be carefully hand washed and many people claim this is better for the fibre.
To hand wash any qiviut/cashmere content knitwear, including Ox Socks and the removable knitted trim on The Qiviut Jacket, do the following:
1. Before washing remove any pilling with a pill comb or shaving machine.
2. Turn the garment inside out if applicable (e.g., socks or a jumper/sweater).
3. Fill a clean basin with lukewarm water <30º C (<85º F). Add 50ml Woolite detergent or 30ml baby shampoo for extra softness and mix by hand.
4. Gently massage the garment. Do not twist, stretch or rub. Leave to soak for no more than 3-5 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water until all trace of soap is removed.
6. Lay flat on dry towel and then roll up gently to remove any excess water.
7. Lay flat on new towel to air dry away from direct sunlight. NEVER TUMBLE DRY OR HANG. When dry turn garment outside in (again, if applicable).
8. Optional) Lightly press with a cool iron (or iron at low temperature with a pressing cloth so as not to directly touch the fabric) to restore to original shape and condition.
Qiviut and cashmere are hypoallergenic and do not retain odour so cleaning need only be done infrequently.
The Tanyard
Tring Road
Wendover, Buckinghamshire,
HP22 6ND
UK
+44 (0) 1296 625488
Pringle Mill
Pringle Lane
Delph, Saddleworth,
OL3 5EX
UK
+44 (0)1457 874 651
| QTY | PRICE (EX-VAT) | PRICE / PAIR (EX-VAT) |
| 1 | £17.50 (£14.58) | £17.50 (£14.58) |
| 2 | £34.00 (£28.33) | £17.00 (£14.17) |
| 3 | £50.00 (£41.67) | £16.67 (£13.89) |
| 4 | £64.00 (£53.33) | £16.00 (£13.89) |
| 5 | £76.50 (£63.75) | £15.30 (£12.75) |
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