Frequently Asked Questions
What is your return policy?
You may return any items within 7 days of delivery for exchange or store credit only, as long as the tags have not been removed. Shipping charges are non-refundable, and we do not pay for return postage. This is why we are more than happy to guide you in your selections; like your girlfriends, we'll tell you if something really won't work best on your body style. We want you to be happy, look fabulous, and get scads of compliments, so let us know if you have any questions at all. We love to make suggestions and help you make your wardrobe dollar go farther.
How long will it take to get my order?
We'll ship within 2 to 4 weeks, assuming we have the fabric in stock. If we already have your size and color made up in our showroom, we'll ship it out right away. We cut and sew each order as it is placed. Let us know if you have a specific deadline to meet and we'll do our very best to meet it.
Where are Astárte designs made?
Astárte designs are conceptualized, sketched, engineered, drafted, perfected, and finally, cut and sewn right here in Southern California under our designer's frantic supervision fueled by coffee and healthy chocolate.
How do I know what size to order? Sizes seem to vary a lot by manufacturer!
You are SO right! Astárte designs are unique unto themselves, too, but we will be more than happy to help you find the right size, and most importantly, SHAPE. Please carefully review our size chart and follow the steps to take your measurements and decide your proper size and shape. We want to be sure you get the right fit in our designs, which should just skim (not be too tight or too loose) your curves. It's important to be as accurate on your shape as possible for the best fit. For years (pre-Astárte), we complained that no manufacturer seemed to acknowledge that plus-size women DO have a waist, which is why we are fanatical about shape now (no boxes here!). But some of us plusher ladies don't have a defined waist, and that's ok too...the difference is, at Astárte, we'll make you look as if you DO! We know it's hard to believe, but just trust us. We've been doing this a long time and are very personally involved with our customers. Your curves are in good hands!
How are my items shipped?
All items delivered within the U.S. are shipped via USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. Orders delivered outside the U.S. are shipped via USPS Global Priority. If you would like to have it by Federal Express, tell us in the comment box when you place your order (extra charge applies, or you can provide your own Federal Express account number).
What are the shipping charges?
We ship via Priority Mail and the rates are based on the weight. Within the United States, the minimum charge will be $8.50. Before you confirm your order, you may click on the "estimate shipping charges" to see the cost that will be added for shipping. Outside the United States, the shipping charges are based on USPS Global Priority rates. If the shipping charge comes up as "0", then we cannot ship to your country. If you have your own Federal Express account number, and would prefer we ship to you that way, please email us and let us know. We'll credit the regular shipping charge and use your Federal Express account number instead. Please note our return policy: no refunds; exchange or store credit only on unworn items returned within 7 days with all original tags attached.
What kind of fabrics do you use?
Astárte signature pieces (shells, pants, skirts, sleeveless dresses, basic jackets and dusters) are made in the fabric commonly known as "slinky" because it moves beautifully, washes and packs well, and comes in luscious colors. We also use silks on occasion, some rayons, and other blends. We choose fabrics that feel good, are easy to care for, and really showcase the design engineering with fluid movement.
How do I care for my Astárte clothes?
Most Astárte fabrics are machine wash and dry (our silks are hand washable in cold water). We recommend a fragrance free liquid laundry detergent, added to the water before your clothes. Dry on medium or low heat. For longest life and reduced stretching, store your 'slinky' items off the hanger.
Do you have anything with a straight hemline?
Not if we can help it. Since our goal at Astárte is to create shape, we found that a straight hemline throws off all the amazing engineering that goes into making you look shapely and curvy. If you prefer a boxier look, we are not for you. Would a goddess wear a refrigerator dress? We think not, unless she's coloring her hair and doesn't want to ruin her good clothes.
Why do so many of your designs have that flap in the back?
That "flap" is our signature "bolero back" and like most of our design features, serves a very real purpose: it hides that unsightly bra flab that most of us would like to cover. We believe it's as important to look sleek and gorgeous walking away as you do when you make your entrance. You'll find variations on our bolero back on many of our designs (sometimes it's split, sometimes it's an attached ruffle, etc.) because, well...it works.
Your designs seem pretty pricey in comparison to other websites. Why do they cost so much?
Good question. Price wise, we're more comparable to Nordstrom and similar higher end department stores than we are to Lane Bryant or The Avenue, but then we don't do much casual wear, which is their specialty. However, what we give you that you won't find at Nordstrom is very thoughtful fit, specifically for the plus-size figure. For example, if you're a plus-size petite, you can order anything from our website and it will be properly proportioned for you. Most low-priced websites (or stores) don't offer that option because it's expensive to create patterns in a variety of lengths and a variety of sizes. We've been doing it for years, and while it is more expensive to operate this way, it's our mission to make every woman feel beautiful, no matter her size or shape or height.
To show you how you really get your money's worth with Astárte, we suggest you start with a couple of our best-selling, tried and true, pieces (such as our pleated bodice or T-wrap top and a pair of flute or bootcut pants) and see how much wear you will get out of them simply because they're the most comfortable things you own and everyone says you look amazing. That's where the true value of anything is, since we've all bought something on sale that we wore once and hated. Invest in something you really love and wear it -- don't save it! Enjoy it! Life is a banquet (and most poor suckers are starving to death)!
Payment methods: We invoice via Paypal, but you don't need a Paypal account to pay. You will be offered a variety of payment methods when you receive the invoice. Upon receipt of your payment, we will begin working on your creation!
You may return any items within 7 days of delivery for exchange or store credit only, as long as the tags have not been removed. Shipping charges are non-refundable, and we do not pay for return postage. This is why we are more than happy to guide you in your selections; like your girlfriends, we'll tell you if something really won't work best on your body style. We want you to be happy, look fabulous, and get scads of compliments, so let us know if you have any questions at all. We love to make suggestions and help you make your wardrobe dollar go farther.
How long will it take to get my order?
We'll ship within 2 to 4 weeks, assuming we have the fabric in stock. If we already have your size and color made up in our showroom, we'll ship it out right away. We cut and sew each order as it is placed. Let us know if you have a specific deadline to meet and we'll do our very best to meet it.
Where are Astárte designs made?
Astárte designs are conceptualized, sketched, engineered, drafted, perfected, and finally, cut and sewn right here in Southern California under our designer's frantic supervision fueled by coffee and healthy chocolate.
How do I know what size to order? Sizes seem to vary a lot by manufacturer!
You are SO right! Astárte designs are unique unto themselves, too, but we will be more than happy to help you find the right size, and most importantly, SHAPE. Please carefully review our size chart and follow the steps to take your measurements and decide your proper size and shape. We want to be sure you get the right fit in our designs, which should just skim (not be too tight or too loose) your curves. It's important to be as accurate on your shape as possible for the best fit. For years (pre-Astárte), we complained that no manufacturer seemed to acknowledge that plus-size women DO have a waist, which is why we are fanatical about shape now (no boxes here!). But some of us plusher ladies don't have a defined waist, and that's ok too...the difference is, at Astárte, we'll make you look as if you DO! We know it's hard to believe, but just trust us. We've been doing this a long time and are very personally involved with our customers. Your curves are in good hands!
How are my items shipped?
All items delivered within the U.S. are shipped via USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation. Orders delivered outside the U.S. are shipped via USPS Global Priority. If you would like to have it by Federal Express, tell us in the comment box when you place your order (extra charge applies, or you can provide your own Federal Express account number).
What are the shipping charges?
We ship via Priority Mail and the rates are based on the weight. Within the United States, the minimum charge will be $8.50. Before you confirm your order, you may click on the "estimate shipping charges" to see the cost that will be added for shipping. Outside the United States, the shipping charges are based on USPS Global Priority rates. If the shipping charge comes up as "0", then we cannot ship to your country. If you have your own Federal Express account number, and would prefer we ship to you that way, please email us and let us know. We'll credit the regular shipping charge and use your Federal Express account number instead. Please note our return policy: no refunds; exchange or store credit only on unworn items returned within 7 days with all original tags attached.
What kind of fabrics do you use?
Astárte signature pieces (shells, pants, skirts, sleeveless dresses, basic jackets and dusters) are made in the fabric commonly known as "slinky" because it moves beautifully, washes and packs well, and comes in luscious colors. We also use silks on occasion, some rayons, and other blends. We choose fabrics that feel good, are easy to care for, and really showcase the design engineering with fluid movement.
How do I care for my Astárte clothes?
Most Astárte fabrics are machine wash and dry (our silks are hand washable in cold water). We recommend a fragrance free liquid laundry detergent, added to the water before your clothes. Dry on medium or low heat. For longest life and reduced stretching, store your 'slinky' items off the hanger.
Do you have anything with a straight hemline?
Not if we can help it. Since our goal at Astárte is to create shape, we found that a straight hemline throws off all the amazing engineering that goes into making you look shapely and curvy. If you prefer a boxier look, we are not for you. Would a goddess wear a refrigerator dress? We think not, unless she's coloring her hair and doesn't want to ruin her good clothes.
Why do so many of your designs have that flap in the back?
That "flap" is our signature "bolero back" and like most of our design features, serves a very real purpose: it hides that unsightly bra flab that most of us would like to cover. We believe it's as important to look sleek and gorgeous walking away as you do when you make your entrance. You'll find variations on our bolero back on many of our designs (sometimes it's split, sometimes it's an attached ruffle, etc.) because, well...it works.
Your designs seem pretty pricey in comparison to other websites. Why do they cost so much?
Good question. Price wise, we're more comparable to Nordstrom and similar higher end department stores than we are to Lane Bryant or The Avenue, but then we don't do much casual wear, which is their specialty. However, what we give you that you won't find at Nordstrom is very thoughtful fit, specifically for the plus-size figure. For example, if you're a plus-size petite, you can order anything from our website and it will be properly proportioned for you. Most low-priced websites (or stores) don't offer that option because it's expensive to create patterns in a variety of lengths and a variety of sizes. We've been doing it for years, and while it is more expensive to operate this way, it's our mission to make every woman feel beautiful, no matter her size or shape or height.
To show you how you really get your money's worth with Astárte, we suggest you start with a couple of our best-selling, tried and true, pieces (such as our pleated bodice or T-wrap top and a pair of flute or bootcut pants) and see how much wear you will get out of them simply because they're the most comfortable things you own and everyone says you look amazing. That's where the true value of anything is, since we've all bought something on sale that we wore once and hated. Invest in something you really love and wear it -- don't save it! Enjoy it! Life is a banquet (and most poor suckers are starving to death)!
Payment methods: We invoice via Paypal, but you don't need a Paypal account to pay. You will be offered a variety of payment methods when you receive the invoice. Upon receipt of your payment, we will begin working on your creation!