How to order a custom-made mushmush parka

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1. CHOOSE YOUR PARKA: STYLE, COLOUR WEIGHT

Then decide which style you want: knee length, full-length, a dressy parka or winter jacket. In what colour? And finally, how heavy do you want the wool? Arctic weight is the real duffel (boiled wool) they wear up North. City weight is lighter wool, easily good at -10 Celsius (or 15 degrees Fahrenheit) with a warm sweater underneath.

2. SELECT AN OUTER SHELL: STYLE AND COLOUR

Simple. Do you want traditional, which is straight and form fitting, or Mother Hubbard, iconic Canadiana and fun? And in what colour? You can get the same colour as your parka, but if you order a different colour it gives the impression you have two different parkas!

3. DECIDE ON YOUR APPLIQUÉS:   

Which appliqué do you want on your parka, and which on your outer shell? (The appliqués are shown in the Lookbook). You can have the same on both if you're in love with one, or choose two if want your parka and shell to look different. Remember, Mother Hubbard shells don't have appliqués because they have the deep flounce.

4. CHOOSE YOUR FUR:

All knee-length and full-length mushmush parkas include fur at the hood and cuffs. What colour do you want? Arctic fox is white, shorter and fine - a touch of princess. Silver fox is black, white and silver mixed, and it's usually bushy and longer. Black fox is thick, shorter, and uniform in colour. And do you want any extra fur? You have the option of ordering it around the bottom of your parka, fur pom-poms, and fur on the cuffs of a winter jacket.

5. DO YOU WANT RICKRACK? 

Rickrack, decorative wavy ribbon on the outer shell, is a matter of personal taste. It's traditional to the Western Arctic and still very popular with many people. But skipping the rickrack gives a cleaner, more contemporary look. It just depends on your sensibility. If you're not sure, review the photos in the Lookbook and you'll see examples of both. You have two good choices. Rickrack adds another layer of Arctic style to these unmistakably Northern pieces- especially with optional fur pom-poms, and possibly also fur along the bottom.

6. NOW YOU MEASURE:

Have a friend help measure you, exactly as shown on the chart above with extra measuring tips on the right. 

7. TELL US WHAT YOUR PARKA LOOKS LIKE: Fill out the order form at the bottom (below Measuring Tips). Once you hit the " send" button, it automatically comes to us. We'll review your order to make sure everything seems right, and contact you if something seems bit off.  Once everything's all in order, we email you an invoice. You have the option of using your credit card, PayPal, or emailing the money through your bank's interac system. 

Now the easy part. We hand it over to the experts.

Your custom-made mushmush parka will be given a number, or "passport," and sent to the Ladies up North. It will be assigned to a single seamstress who will make a pattern, cut the wool and shell material to fit together, sew your  parka and sew the outer shell, cut and sew on the appliqués, and sew the fur on- all in her own home. That process usually takes about four weeks.

Once it's finished, your parka will be shipped to you from the Northwest Territories. Canada Post normally takes about 10 business days to deliver in North America.

A note of caution. Canada Post parcel delivery can get jammed up a few weeks before the Christmas holidays, which slows things down.  So if you want to buy one as a holiday gift, we can't recommend strongly enough that you order early.

The interactive order form is here at the bottom. If you have any questions, please check our FAQ page and if the answer's not there you can email us at orders@mushmush.ca and we'll get back to you. We're here to help.