Need help?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. About Sainte-Mer
Behind SAINTE MER is me, Marlen Schenker – founder, creative director, and passionate buyer. I've been at home in the fashion world for over 17 years : I've worked in purchasing for some of Europe's largest companies, including Zalando, ABOUT YOU, Glossybox, and international premium brands. During this time, I've built hundreds of collections, established strong supply networks, and learned how quality, style, and sustainability intertwine.
With SAINTE MER, I've fulfilled a heartfelt dream: a cashmere label with soul , combining luxurious knitwear with mindfulness. Each piece is created in close collaboration with trusted partners I know personally and have supported for many years. My goal: to create fashion that not only feels beautiful, but also feels good – for you, for nature, and for the people behind it.
Because we believe in fashion with soul. After over 17 years of experience in international fashion purchasing, I founded SAINTE MER to create a label that is deliberately different: personal, mindful, and independent of large corporate structures.
As an owner-managed company, we make every decision ourselves – from yarn selection to packaging. This creates a collection that is not only luxurious but also conveys a sense of closeness and responsibility.
At SAINTE MER, passion is at the heart of everything, not corporate logic. We're an owner-managed label – every decision, from the yarn to the finished knitwear, is made personally by me and my small team. Instead of mass production, we focus on small, curated collections created with attention to detail.
Our customers don't have anonymous contact with customer service, but rather a direct line to us. The result: knitwear that is not only luxurious, but also noticeably personal, mindful, and independent.
Yes, of course! As an owner-managed brand, we enjoy direct communication with our customers. Simply write to us at info@sainte-mer.com – your message won't end up in an anonymous service center, but directly with our team. We'll respond personally and with pleasure.
2. Our products
For us, cashmere is a gift from nature – and we treat it with the utmost respect. For many years, we have worked with trusted partners in Inner Mongolia, whom we visit regularly. This way, we know exactly where our fibers come from and that the goats are raised humanely and the people are treated fairly.
We consciously choose small production batches, short delivery routes, and gentle manufacturing processes. Every piece is created with care – for the animals, for nature, and for the people who make SAINTE MER possible.
The yarn is made from the fine undercoat of Mongolian cashmere goats. The extreme climate results in particularly soft, long-fibered hair. We use only the highest quality fibers ( Grade-A cashmere ) and avoid cheap blends.
Cashmere should be washed infrequently. Air your garment after wearing and handwash it as needed or use a special wool wash program (cold, low spin speed). Use cashmere-safe detergent and lay the sweater flat to dry. Pilling can be gently removed with a cashmere comb.
We advise against using a dryer, as heat causes the fibers to mat. Professional dry cleaning is possible for stubborn stains, but should be used infrequently.
Pure cashmere is naturally hypoallergenic. We avoid chemical treatments and use skin-friendly dyes. If you are sensitive, please test the product on a small area of skin first.
Our cuts are based on standard European sizes. Detailed size charts can be found on each product page. For oversized cuts, we may recommend ordering a size smaller. Our customer service team will be happy to assist you with your selection.
3. Sizes & Styling
To find the right size, you can always refer to our size chart , which is available for each product on the website.
If you're still unsure, we'd be happy to help you personally – simply send us an email to info@sainte-mer.com . Together, we'll find the perfect fit for your SAINTE MER piece.
Cashmere is a true all-rounder:
- In everyday life it can be casually combined with jeans and sneakers.
- In the office, a cashmere sweater or cardigan looks classy with trousers or a skirt.
- In the evening, cashmere is transformed into a luxurious statement piece with accessories, silk or leather.
Be inspired: We regularly share styling ideas, color schemes, and new looks on our inspiration page and on Instagram .
Yes – our collections combine timeless classics with select seasonal trend colors . These trendy shades are released in limited editions, making each piece unique.
You can find inspiration and current color schemes on our Inspiration page – and our newsletter will keep you informed about new colors and limited editions.
4. Sustainability & Transparency
For us, sustainability means making conscious decisions at every step: We produce in small, responsible quantities, use recycled cardboard for our packaging, and work with climate-neutral shipping.
To protect the delicate cashmere items, we currently use thin polybags to ensure quality during transport. In the long term, we are working on even more environmentally friendly solutions.
At SAINTE MER, we have known our cashmere supplier and their supply chain personally for over 10 years . This long-standing partnership gives us the security of knowing the precise origin of our fibers and ensuring fair conditions at every step.
We work with select spinning and knitting mills that stand for the highest quality. Transparency for us means proximity and trust – from the yarn to the finished knitted item.
Our fibers come from rare goats and are sorted by hand. The processing is complex, and we pay fair prices to our producers.
5. Order & Payment
First, select your country and language on our website. Then, you can add your desired items to your shopping cart and proceed directly to checkout.
- You have two options at checkout:
Express Checkout with PayPal or Google Pay – fast, secure, and no additional input required.
- Or you can follow the regular ordering process: enter your billing and delivery address, select your shipping and payment method, and then receive your order confirmation by email.
At SAINTE MER you can pay conveniently and securely with:
- Credit cards : Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover
- Digital Wallets : Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Online payments : PayPal
Your credit card will not be charged until your order has been shipped. PayPal and Wallet payments will be charged immediately.
For credit card payments, your card will only be charged once your order has been shipped. For payments via PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay, the charge will be made immediately upon completion of the order.
As long as your order hasn't been packaged yet, you can contact customer support and make changes or cancel. Once a shipping confirmation has been generated, changes are no longer possible; however, you can cancel within the return period.
There's a "Coupon Code" field in the checkout. Enter the code and confirm. Only one code can be redeemed per order; retroactive application is not possible.
6. Shipping
We ship our cashmere pieces throughout the European Union, Switzerland , and selected countries worldwide. To ensure your order arrives safely, quickly, and in top condition, we partner with a highly professional shipping service provider and a specialized warehouse.
Shipping costs are displayed during checkout and depend on the destination country and the value of the goods. It's important to us that we only pass on the actual shipping costs – no surcharges or hidden fees. You also enjoy free shipping for orders over a certain value.
Processing your order takes 1–3 business days. Parcel services typically require 2–5 business days for shipping within Europe; international shipping may take slightly longer. Experience shows that delivery times are approximately 2–5 business days.
After shipment, you will receive an email with a tracking number. You can view the status of your shipment using the link in the email.
First, check the tracking status. If your package hasn't been updated for more than five days, contact our customer service. We'll initiate an investigation, which may take up to two weeks.
You can change the address through customer service before your order is shipped. Changes are no longer possible after it has been shipped.
Yes, in Germany we deliver to DHL Packstations and company addresses. Please provide the correct postal code or company name and department. International customers can have their orders delivered to local parcel shops.
7. Returns & Exchanges
You can return your order to us within 14 days of receipt . It's important that the items are unworn, unwashed, and in their original condition.
For further information, please see our Return Policy .
If an item doesn't fit or doesn't meet your expectations, you can return it to us within 14 days of receipt. Please arrange shipping yourself and ensure that the item arrives unworn, unwashed, and in its original condition.
You can find all the details and the exact address in our Return Policy . Once we receive and inspect your return, we will refund your purchase amount using the original payment method.
We want to be open and transparent: Returns at SAINTE MER are not free. As we are a small, owner-managed label, we ask our customers to cover the return shipping costs themselves.
Your support helps us continue to invest in small, high-quality production runs, sustainable materials, and fair prices—instead of "free" returns, which often have hidden environmental and cost consequences. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Once we receive and inspect your return, we'll refund the amount within 10 days using the payment method used. For credit cards, it may take a few days for the amount to appear on your statement.
We don't offer direct exchanges. Please return the item and reorder the desired size or color.
If your item is defective, please contact our customer service with photos (full view, label, defect). You will receive a free return label and can choose whether you want a replacement or a refund. Please note that certain signs of wear (e.g., loss of comfort, pilling) are not grounds for a return.
Yes, pack the items securely and include all relevant delivery notes. Keep the receipt.
Common reasons include incorrect address, damaged shipment, or the package not being picked up. We will refund the amount after receipt of the package. Redelivery of the same package is not possible, but you can reorder.
8. Other questions
At SAINTE MER, we place great importance on sustainability. We used to ship our products in elaborately designed gift packaging. Today, we consciously avoid using additional cardboard to conserve resources and reduce our impact on the environment.
Your order will arrive safely and stylishly packaged—reduced to the essentials, without compromising on quality. So you can enjoy your cashmere product with confidence, because less packaging means less impact on nature.
Our website and support are available in German and English.
Pilling is normal for soft natural fibers. Use a special cashmere comb or lint shaver to carefully remove the pills.
Fold cashmere and store it flat to maintain its shape. Store it in a cotton bag or acid-free paper to protect it from moths.