Room 502 makes four shirtdresses. They share a designer, a shirt collar and a button front. They differ in cloth, in length and in how close they sit to the body. This is how to tell them apart.
All four are designed by Sophie Théallet, CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner, who has made her version of the shirtdress since she opened her own house in 2005.
The Zoe: the cotton poplin midi
The Zoe is the one most women start with. Long sleeves with button cuffs, a shirt collar, a concealed button placket, a fitted waist and a full pleated skirt that falls to mid-calf, with pockets hidden in the side seams. The cloth is 100% Imperial cotton poplin: crisp, structured, with no stretch, so the dress holds its line through the day.
Choose it if you want one dress that goes from a morning meeting to dinner. It is cut close to the body; if you like more ease, go up one size. Sizes run from 2/34 to 14/46.
The Charlotte: the soft one, with a belt
The Charlotte has the Zoe's long sleeves and shirt collar in a different cloth. It is viscose, which drapes and moves more softly than poplin. It falls to the knee in an A-line, with fine shirring at the shoulders and a built-in belt that ties at the front, so you fasten it exactly where your waist is. It comes in bordeaux and in black.
Choose it if you find poplin too crisp, or if you want a waist you can adjust.
The Stephanie: short sleeves, knee length
The Stephanie is the short-sleeved shirtdress. It is cotton poplin with a touch of stretch (97% cotton, 3% elastane), with a built-in belt at the waist, a fitted skirt to the knee and pockets at the front.
Choose it for warm days, or if you prefer a straighter skirt to the Zoe's full one. It is fitted; in doubt, take the larger size.
The Sophie: oversize, in silk
The Sophie oversize shirtdress is the opposite of the other three. It is cut generously in 100% silk crepe, in a black and white print, with hidden side pockets and cuffed sleeves you can push up. It flows and does not cling. Belt it for shape or let it fall; wear it as a dress, or open over trousers.
Choose it if you want ease above all. It comes in three sizes; between two, take the smaller.
How to choose, in short
- A defined waist and a full skirt: the Zoe.
- Softer cloth and an adjustable belt: the Charlotte.
- Short sleeves and a straighter line: the Stephanie.
- The most ease: the Sophie.
- Midi length: the Zoe. Knee length: the Charlotte and the Stephanie.
- Cotton: the Zoe and the Stephanie. Viscose: the Charlotte. Silk: the Sophie.
How do they fit?
The Zoe, the Charlotte and the Stephanie are tailored, close to the body the way a fine shirt is. Between two sizes, take the larger, or send your measurements to info@room502.com and we will guide you. The guide How a Shirtdress Should Fit covers shoulder, waist and length in detail.
Where can I buy one?
Only at room502.com. The pieces are cut in limited runs and are not sold in stores. Shipping is free to the US and Canada, and returns are accepted within 30 days, free on orders of $450 or more. See every shirtdress.