Frequently Asked Questions

DERAC is a modest-luxury womenswear brand based in Nairobi, Kenya. We take the traditional dera and transform it into refined, resort-inspired pieces for women across the globe.

DERAC was born from a deep respect for East African heritage. We take the dera — a garment worn by women across the region for generations — and transform it into modern resort and lifestyle wear, handcrafted in Nairobi for women everywhere.

Our designs are rooted in modest-luxury aesthetics — think flowing fabrics, elegant coverage, and refined silhouettes. Some pieces feature slits, so we recommend layering with an underdress if you prefer full coverage.

A "dera" is a traditional East African garment — a long, flowing dress worn by women across the region for generations. It sits loosely on the body, drapes from the shoulders, and falls to the ankle. Effortless to wear, elegant in appearance, and flattering on every figure.

Our pieces are made from 100% polyester in three finishes — satin, chiffon and lightweight satin — each selected for its fluid drape, soft feel and elegant appearance. Fabric details are listed on every product page.

Our pieces are loose and flowing by nature, making them forgiving across sizes. For a Derac, choose your size by your bust and waist; for pants, choose by your hips. Our size guide has the full charts — and when in doubt, size up.

Yes! Our pieces are available from XS to 3XL (UK 4–28, US 0–24). We also offer custom sizing — simply email us at info@derac.shop or WhatsApp us at +254111339472 and we'll tailor a piece to your measurements.

DERAC pieces are designed for both. Whether you're heading to a resort, attending an event, hosting at home, or simply want to feel effortlessly elegant on an ordinary day — our pieces work for it all.

It depends on the fabric. Our satin and lightweight satin pieces are not see-through. Our chiffon pieces are sheer by nature and we recommend wearing an underdress or slip underneath for full coverage.

Easy to care for — hand wash or machine wash on a gentle cycle using cold water and mild detergent. You can tumble dry on low or air dry in the shade. Iron on low heat if needed. Avoid bleach and fabric softeners.

We accept all major credit and debit cards and Apple Pay. All prices are in USD and payments are securely handled by Paystack. If your card is in a different currency, your bank will convert automatically.

Yes — your payment is fully secure. We use Paystack to process all transactions, meaning your card information is encrypted and never stored on our website.

We move fast on orders, so please reach out immediately if you need to modify or cancel. You can cancel or remove items until your order ships. Email info@derac.shop or WhatsApp us at +254111339472 — we'll do everything we can to accommodate you.

We ship from Nairobi, Kenya. We deliver worldwide — including the US, UK, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. If you're unsure whether we ship to your country, reach out to us at info@derac.shop.

Orders are processed within 1 business day of payment, then delivered by DHL Express in an estimated 4–7 business days to most destinations. A tracking number will be emailed to you once your order is on its way.

Shipping is a flat DHL Express rate based on your destination and the weight of your order. The UK, Europe, the Middle East, the US, Canada and Mexico start at $29.99 for up to about 3 pieces; Australia and New Zealand start at $50; other countries start from $22.99. See the full rate table on our Shipping & Duties page. Your exact shipping cost is always shown at checkout before you pay.

Every international order already ships with DHL Express, one of the fastest international carriers, with delivery in an estimated 4–7 business days. We do not currently offer a separate faster option.

Once your order is dispatched, you will receive an email with your DHL tracking number. You can use this to track your order in real time on the DHL website at dhl.com.

For US orders, import duties are already included in our prices, so there's nothing extra to pay on delivery. For all other countries, your local government may charge import duties and taxes on delivery. These vary by destination and are not included in your order total.

Outside the US, customs fees are the responsibility of the recipient. We are not able to predict or cover these charges as they vary by country and are set by local governments.

Contact us within 14 days of delivery to start a return or exchange. Size exchanges are free, and returns are refunded as store credit, valid for 6 months. Items must be unworn and unwashed, with tags attached. See our full Refund Policy for details.

Message us first at info@derac.shop or WhatsApp +254111339472 with your order number. Return shipping is free: international customers get a prepaid return label, and Nairobi customers can drop off at our Westlands studio. Items sent back without contacting us first can't be accepted.

Returns are refunded as store credit, emailed to you once we've received and checked your return, and valid for 6 months on deracofficial.com. If your item arrives damaged, faulty or incorrect — or where the law in your country gives you a right to a refund, such as in the EU and UK — we'll refund you to your original payment method.

If something arrives damaged or not as described, contact us immediately at info@derac.shop or WhatsApp +254111339472 with photos and your order details. We take full responsibility for any errors on our end and will make it right with a replacement, exchange or refund.

If your measurements fall into two sizes, choose the larger one, then enter both measurements in the Custom Sizing box when you order — we use them to place the inner waist tie on your Derac (or adjust the fit of your pants). Our flowing silhouettes mean sizing up still drapes beautifully. For personalised help, contact us at info@derac.shop or WhatsApp +254111339472.

Yes — our size guide has bust and waist measurements for Deracs, hip and waist measurements for pants, and recommended lengths by height. If you're still unsure, send us your bust, waist, hips and height at info@derac.shop or WhatsApp +254111339472 and we'll advise the perfect size for you.

We love a custom request — availability depends on fabric stock at the time, but we'll always come back to you with options. Contact us at info@derac.shop or WhatsApp +254111339472 before ordering.

We love creative requests! If you'd like a specific fabric variation on an existing style, get in touch at info@derac.shop or WhatsApp +254111339472 — availability depends on our current fabric stock but we'll always explore options with you. Please note we only work within our existing designs as seen on our website and socials.