You're scrolling through Nordstrom's dress section, past the usual suspects like Free People or Madewell, and you keep seeing these "twofer" sweater dresses. They look like a perfectly tucked-in striped top paired with a crisp cotton skirt. You click. The brand is Zoe and Claire. Honestly, if you haven't heard of them until now, you aren't alone. They aren't the type of label that splashes their name across giant billboards or pays every influencer on TikTok for a "haul" video.
But they're everywhere.
Basically, Zoe and Claire is the secret weapon for women who need to look "put together" without spending forty minutes standing in front of a mirror wondering if their blouse matches their pants. It's fashion for the "I have a 9:00 AM meeting and a 6:00 PM dinner" crowd. And weirdly, they’ve managed to capture a very specific aesthetic—half-preppy, half-modern—that feels way more expensive than it actually is.
The Edge Mine Connection: Where Did This Brand Come From?
Zoe and Claire isn't some tiny indie startup operating out of a garage in Brooklyn. It’s actually the newest sibling in a pretty powerful family. It lives under the Edge Mine global fashion umbrella. If that name doesn't ring a bell, their other brands probably will: Blu Pepper and Moon River.
While Blu Pepper leans into that boho, Coachella-adjacent vibe and Moon River handles the "European summer" aesthetic, Zoe and Claire was built for a different purpose. It was specifically designed to fill a "void for dresses" at Nordstrom. Think about that for a second. Nordstrom, a giant in the retail space, realized they didn't have enough options that hit the sweet spot between "too casual" and "formal wedding guest."
So, Zoe and Claire was born.
It started as a partnership to fix that gap, and it worked so well that the brand is now expanding into specialty boutiques. They’re no longer just the "Nordstrom brand." They’re becoming a standalone player in the mid-range market.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Quality
Is it luxury? No. Let's be real. If you’re looking for hand-stitched silk from a French atelier, you're in the wrong place. But here's the thing: most "mid-range" fashion right now feels like overpriced fast fashion. You pay $150 for a dress that feels like a plastic bag.
A Zoe and Claire dress usually hits between $80 and $120. At that price point, the construction is surprisingly solid.
You'll often see materials like:
- Viscose and Nylon blends: These give their sweater dresses that "heavy" feel that doesn't lose its shape after one wash.
- Tencel™ Lyocell: They’ve started incorporating more sustainable fibers, particularly in their mixed-media pieces.
- Cotton-Linen blends: Used heavily in their summer shirtdresses to keep them breathable.
The "twofer" style is their signature. It’s a mixed-media approach where the bodice is a knit or jersey material and the skirt is a woven fabric like poplin or denim. It solves the "tuck-in" problem. No bunching, no constant adjusting. It’s just one piece.
The Fit Reality: Does It Actually Run True to Size?
Sizing is the Great Fashion Lie, isn't it? One brand's Medium is another brand's Extra Small.
According to the data from Nordstrom’s fit experts and buyer reviews, Zoe and Claire generally runs true to size.
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- XS: 0-2
- S: 4-6
- M: 8-10
- L: 12-14
However—and this is a big "however"—their sweater dresses are designed to be figure-skimming. If you prefer a looser, "I can eat a full pasta dinner" fit, you might want to size up in the knit styles. The woven shirtdresses with the tie-waists are much more forgiving because you can adjust the cinch yourself.
The Best Zoe and Claire Styles to Hunt For
You can't talk about this brand without mentioning the Jacquard Denim Belted Midi. It's been a consistent top-seller. It features a sweetheart neck and puff sleeves, which sounds very "Little House on the Prairie," but the denim fabric grounds it so it doesn't look like a costume.
Then there’s the Mixed Media Scallop Stitch Tiered Midi. This is the one that usually convinces people the brand is higher-end. The scalloped stitching on the bodice looks like something you’d find at a boutique in Leura Village or a high-end shop in London.
Why the Price Point Matters
In 2026, the "middle" of the fashion market is dying. You either have the $15 SHEIN-style disposables or the $600 "investment" pieces. Zoe and Claire is stubbornly staying in that $88–$118 range. When you catch them on sale at Nordstrom Rack—which happens often—you can snag these for $30 to $50. That’s essentially the price of a generic t-shirt at a mall brand, but you're getting a full, structured outfit.
Real Talk: The Limitations
It’s not all sunshine and perfect pleats.
One frequent critique of the brand is their reliance on hand-wash instructions. Because many of their dresses are "mixed media" (different fabrics joined together), putting them in a standard wash cycle can be risky. The knit top might shrink at a different rate than the cotton bottom, leading to a weird, puckered seam.
Also, they don't have a massive range for plus sizes yet. Most of their inventory tops out at a size 14 (Large or sometimes XL). If you’re looking for a broad range of inclusive sizing, the brand still has some catching up to do compared to someone like Anthropologie or Eloquii.
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How to Style a Zoe and Claire Dress Without Looking Like a Librarian
The risk with "sophisticated" midi dresses is that they can lean a bit... conservative.
To keep it modern:
- Swap the belt: Many of their dresses come with a matching fabric belt. Ditch it. Add a leather cognac belt or a thin metallic one to break up the silhouette.
- Footwear is key: A sweater midi looks great with knee-high boots in the winter. In the summer, avoid "sensible" flats. Go for a chunky lug-sole loafer or a minimalist strappy sandal.
- Layering: Their sleeveless jacquard dresses are perfect for layering a crisp white button-down underneath for a preppy, layered look that’s very 2026.
Where to Buy and What to Look For
While you can find them on Editorialist or The Cool Hour, the most reliable inventory is still at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack.
If you see a dress you like, don't wait for a "final clearance." These pieces tend to sell out in core sizes (Small and Medium) quickly because they are popular "work-to-weekend" options. Check the fabric composition in the description—aim for the viscose/nylon blends for durability and the Tencel blends for comfort.
Stop looking for the "perfect" two-piece set and just buy the dress that does the work for you. It’s less about the label and more about the fact that you can get out the door in five minutes and still have people ask, "Where did you get that?"
To get the most out of a new Zoe and Claire piece, check the care label immediately upon arrival; if it’s a mixed-media knit, invest in a quality mesh laundry bag and use the "delicate" cycle with cold water to prevent the different fabrics from reacting poorly to the heat.