Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to help you choose with confidence.

Orders & Shipping

How can I contact you about an order?

You can use our contact form or email us at latelierdesonja@gmail.com. For an existing order, please contact us directly rather than through social media and include your order reference if you have it: this will help us assist you.

Detailed information: Contact

Where are orders dispatched from?

All orders from our shop are dispatched from France. The manufacture of our clothing in India is separate from dispatch to our customers.

Detailed information: Our Story

How long does order preparation take?

Preparation takes 2–3 business days before your order is handed to the carrier. This is in addition to transit time; it is not the total time until delivery.

Detailed information: Shipping and delivery

What are the transit times?

Indicative transit times, excluding preparation, are 2–3 business days for France, 2–5 for express shipping in Europe, 5–10 for the United States and 5–15 for other destinations, depending on the country. These are estimates, not guaranteed delivery dates.

Detailed information: Shipping and delivery

Do you deliver to French overseas territories?

No, we do not deliver to French overseas territories.

Detailed information: Shipping and delivery

How much is shipping within France?

The published rate is €1.90 per order, regardless of the number of items. The final amount is shown before payment. French overseas territories are not served.

Detailed information: Shipping policy

What are the shipping charges for your European zone and the UK?

For our published shipping zone, the first item costs €13.85 to ship, with €1 for each additional item and a cap of €22.85 for 10 or more items. This zone includes Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It does not cover every European country.

Detailed information: Shipping policy

How much is shipping to the United States?

The reference rate is €22 for the first item, plus €3 for each additional item, capped at €49 for 10 or more items. Shopify converts this rate into the checkout currency, so the dollar amount may vary.

Detailed information: Shipping policy

What are the charges for other international destinations?

For destinations we serve outside France, the published European shipping zone and the United States, shipping costs €18.85 for the first item, plus €1 per additional item. The rate is capped at €27.85 for 10 or more items. Check the final amount before payment.

Detailed information: Shipping policy

Will I have to pay import charges on delivery?

Orders to the United States are shipped DDP: you should not have additional import duties or taxes to pay on delivery. Contact us if the carrier requests them. For other destinations outside the European Union, any import duties and taxes are your responsibility, including where the country is part of our European shipping-rate zone.

Detailed information: Shipping policy · Shipping and delivery

Can I request urgent delivery?

Need your order for a particular date? Contact us before ordering with your requirements and preferred date. We will look into the options with you; an urgent request does not guarantee delivery by a particular date.

Detailed information: Shipping and delivery · Contact

Do I need to subscribe to the newsletter to order?

No. Newsletter subscription is optional and is not required to place an order. You can unsubscribe using the link in our emails or by contacting us.

Detailed information: Privacy

Do you offer made-to-measure clothing or custom orders?

No, we do not offer made-to-measure clothing or personalised alterations. All our garments are offered in the styles, sizes and variants available in the shop. We can, however, help you choose from these options.

Detailed information: Contact

Returns & Refunds

Can I return clothing if I change my mind?

Yes, under the right of withdrawal applicable to our distance sales. You have 14 days to notify us without giving a reason, starting on the day after receipt. For goods ordered together but delivered separately, the period runs from receipt of the last item. Our Returns page explains extensions when the deadline falls on a non-working day.

Detailed information: Returns · Refund policy

How do I notify you that I wish to withdraw?

Send a clear statement to latelierdesonja@gmail.com or by post to SONJA MARKOVIC EI, 15 Bis Avenue Caravadossi, 06000 Nice, France. A withdrawal form is available on our Returns page, but you do not have to use it. Prior authorisation is not required; you may also notify us before delivery.

Detailed information: Returns · Refund policy

When and where should I send the garment back?

Return it without undue delay and no later than 14 days after notifying withdrawal, to Sonja Markovic, 15 Bis Avenue Caravadossi, 06000 Nice, France. The deadline is met if you dispatch the item before it expires. Keep proof of dispatch.

Detailed information: Returns · Refund policy

Who pays for return shipping?

For a change of mind, you pay the direct cost of returning the goods. For faulty or non-conforming goods, we bear the costs necessary to provide the statutory remedy. Contact us to arrange this.

Detailed information: Returns · Refund policy

May I try on the garment before returning it?

Yes, you may inspect and try it on as you would in a shop. You may be liable for diminished value only under the applicable legal conditions where handling goes beyond what is necessary to assess the garment. Missing original packaging alone does not remove your right of withdrawal.

Detailed information: Returns · Refund policy

When and how will I be refunded?

We refund without undue delay and no later than 14 days after you notify us. We may withhold the refund until we receive the goods or evidence of their return, whichever comes first, unless we offer to collect them. We use the original payment method unless you expressly agree to another method at no cost to you; store credit is not imposed.

Detailed information: Returns · Refund policy

Are the original delivery charges refunded?

If you withdraw from the entire order, standard delivery charges are refunded. The extra cost of an expressly chosen, more expensive delivery method is not. For a partial return, the treatment depends on the amount legally due and the calculation applicable to the order; there is no blanket exclusion.

Detailed information: Returns · Refund policy

Can I exchange a garment or return it within 30 days?

We do not offer a general voluntary 30-day return period. An exchange for personal preference may be considered on request, but acceptance is not guaranteed. Its terms must be agreed beforehand, and requesting an exchange does not suspend the withdrawal period.

Detailed information: Returns · Refund policy

What should I do if my garment is faulty?

Email us with a description of the problem and, if possible, your order reference. Photos can help us understand the issue, but they are not a general condition that removes your rights. Statutory guarantees are separate from change-of-mind returns and are not limited to the 14-day withdrawal period.

Detailed information: Returns · Terms of sale · Refund policy

Sizing & Fit

How should I choose my size?

Compare your body measurements with the guide for the garment you are considering. Our cuts and size ranges vary by style: the size you choose for a dress does not automatically apply to a shirt, set or kimono.

What does “one size” mean?

One size covers a specific measurement range for a particular style. It does not fit every body shape. Check the limits on the product page, especially when it specifies “small L” or “small XL”.

Do you offer plus sizes?

Yes, several of our styles are available in plus sizes. The sizes offered depend on each garment’s variants and measurement guide. Check the page for the style you like to choose the right fit: not all garments cover the same range.

Explore: Short kimono available in plus size

Do the charts show body or garment measurements?

Many guides explicitly give body measurements in centimetres, not garment measurements. Garment lengths or widths listed separately are different measurements. Read the chart heading before comparing.

Are S/M and M/L the same across all styles?

No. The measurement ranges may overlap and differ with the cut. For example, pyjamas and some dresses do not necessarily assign the same measurements to the same size label. Refer to the guide for the specific product.

How do I choose a men’s shirt or jacket size?

Check the chest, waist and hip measurements in the relevant guide. Our shirts may have a fitted or relaxed cut, while some jackets come in one size covering a defined range. Do not rely only on your usual size letter.

Explore: Men’s shirts and tops · Men’s short-sleeve shirt

Does wearing a garment open or closed affect sizing?

Yes, for styles whose product pages distinguish these uses. Some jackets and kimonos accommodate a wider range when worn open. To fasten them comfortably, follow the style’s “worn closed” guidance.

Does a loose fit automatically suit every size?

No. Loose fit describes the garment’s shape, not an unlimited size range. Loose dresses, kaftans and tops also have measurement limits.

Where can I find lengths and size guides?

Depending on the style, they appear in the description, in a chart, beside the size selector or in the photographs. A dress length and a model’s height are different pieces of information. If a measurement you need is missing, contact us with the product details.

Detailed information: Contact

Can I ask for help choosing a size?

Of course. Send us the garment link, relevant body measurements and how you would like to wear it. This will help us use the style’s guide to advise you, rather than relying only on your usual size.

Detailed information: Contact

Fabrics & Care

What fabrics are used in your collections?

Our collections include sari silk blended with viscose or rayon, viscose, cotton and linen. Composition varies by garment: check its product page rather than inferring the fabric from the collection.

Detailed information: Our Different Fabrics

Are your “sari silk” garments pure silk?

Product pages stating 70% silk and 30% viscose or rayon describe a blend, not pure silk. Some pages specify a silk/rayon blend without percentages: the 70/30 ratio should not automatically be applied to those items.

Detailed information: Our Different Fabrics

What does the recycled silk in your fabrics mean?

These are new fabrics made with recycled silk fibres. This does not mean that the garments are cut from previously worn saris. Refer to each garment’s stated composition.

Detailed information: Our Different Fabrics

Why do your pages use both “viscose” and “rayon”?

Our product pages use these terms for the cellulosic component of certain fabrics and also describe garments made from 100% viscose. A viscose garment and a blend containing silk do not have the same composition. Check the percentages stated for the item.

Detailed information: Our Different Fabrics

Do you offer block-printed cotton clothing?

Yes, some cotton blouses are described as block printed. This technique uses carved blocks to print patterns. It should not be assumed to apply to every print in the shop.

Detailed information: Our Different Fabrics

Do all your linen garments have the same weight and opacity?

No. Some pieces use thick linen, while certain sets are described as lightweight and slightly sheer. Check the specific style’s description and photographs, particularly when choosing what to wear underneath.

Explore: Linen blouse

Can I wash all your garments in the same way?

No. Many product pages specify washing at 30°C, but some call for a cold wash or particular spin limits. Follow the instructions for the specific garment; the fabric name alone is not enough to choose a single programme.

What spin speed should I use for linen?

Published limits vary: some sets specify a maximum of 300 rpm, a dress 400 rpm and a blouse 800 rpm. These differences mean there is no single speed for all our linen. Check your style’s instructions before washing.

Can I tumble dry my garment?

Some pages explicitly prohibit tumble drying, including certain cotton pieces and viscose shirts. Others recommend air drying. If no instruction is given, do not treat that as permission: ask us before tumble drying a garment without clear guidance.

Detailed information: Contact

How should I iron my clothing?

Temperature and method depend on the style. Published instructions range from cool to medium heat; some specify ironing on the reverse while slightly damp. Check the product page and the instructions supplied with your garment. If anything is unclear or contradictory, contact us before ironing.

Detailed information: Contact

Will the colours exactly match my screen?

Slight differences in shade can occur because of screens, lighting and photography conditions. Some pages also mention variations between fabric batches or gold details that are less visible in photos. This does not remove your rights if the delivered garment differs significantly from its advertised characteristics.

Detailed information: Terms of sale

How can I protect delicate fabrics?

Handle them carefully and follow the garment’s specific care instructions. Snagging, excessive friction and contact with jewellery, zips or abrasive surfaces can cause damage. The cause of damage must be assessed individually: a delicate fabric does not remove statutory guarantees.

Detailed information: Terms of sale

Craftsmanship & Origins

Where are your garments designed and made?

Sonja personally creates every clothing design offered in the shop. Our garments are then handcrafted by our partner workshop in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. All orders from the shop are dispatched from France.

Detailed information: Our Story · Traveling With Me

Who is behind L’Atelier de Sonja?

L’Atelier de Sonja is a shared adventure between Sonja and Alexis. Sonja creates all the clothing designs in the shop, while Alexis takes the photographs. Both are involved in presenting the garments and bringing them to the online shop.

Detailed information: Our Story

How are your fabrics selected?

Sonja personally selects the fabrics, prints and colours for the garments she designs. A texture, a combination of colours or the way a fabric drapes can inspire a style. Her travels in India inform this creative process.

Detailed information: Our Different Fabrics · Traveling With Me

Are your garments made in small batches?

Yes, our brand story and several product pages describe small-batch production. This does not mean every garment is one of a kind: several pieces and sizes of the same style may exist.

Detailed information: Our Story

Does Japanese inspiration mean the garments are made in Japan?

No. Japanese inspiration describes certain kimono cuts; the production described by L’Atelier de Sonja takes place in Pushkar, India. Design inspiration and manufacturing location are different things.

Detailed information: Our Story

Why can pieces vary slightly?

Product pages may mention variations in fabric batches, pattern placement or border widths. These features must remain consistent with the description and expected quality. Artisan production alone does not justify a defect.

Detailed information: Terms of sale

When did the online shop open?

The online shop opened in September 2020. Before that, the creations were presented at craft markets, particularly in Nice, at designer fairs and in boutiques in France and Europe.

Detailed information: Our Story

Where can I learn about the atelier and its inspirations?

Our Story tells you about Sonja’s background and her shared adventure with Alexis. Traveling With Me introduces the encounters and fabrics discovered in India, while Our Different Fabrics explores the materials in our collections.

Detailed information: Our Story · Traveling With Me · Our Different Fabrics

Collections & Clothing

What women’s clothing do you offer?

The shop includes dresses, kimonos, jackets, blouses and shirts, skirts, Bermuda shorts, matching sets and loungewear. Browse Women’s, Dresses, Tops, Bottoms and Sets to explore these categories; check each product page for availability.

Explore: Women’s jackets and tops

What men’s clothing do you offer?

Our men’s collections include long- and short-sleeved shirts, kimono jackets and loungewear kimonos. Browse Men’s, Men’s Tops and Men’s Homewear for the styles offered.

Explore: Men’s clothing

What types of dresses are available?

Product pages include long and short dresses, wrap dresses, open-back styles, shirt dresses, babydoll dresses and kaftans. Necklines, sleeves, ties, cuts and sizing vary: use each page’s details to compare.

Explore: Explore dresses

What is the difference between a set and a single garment?

Sets described as “two-piece” include the stated items, such as a matching top and trousers. Accessories shown in a photograph are not automatically included. Read the product page’s contents and any stated exclusions.

Explore: Explore matching sets

Can the pieces in a set be worn separately?

Yes, our Sets collection suggests this option. Wear the top and bottom together or combine them with other clothing. This is a styling suggestion and does not mean they are available to buy separately.

Explore: Explore matching sets

Can your loungewear also be worn outside?

Some product pages explicitly suggest wearing a piece at home or layered over an outfit. Check the style, opening, opacity and fastening: uses described for one piece do not automatically apply to the whole collection.

Explore: Homewear

How do fitted and relaxed shirts differ?

The men’s shirts with a large French collar are described as fitted, while Cuban-collar styles have a relaxed fit and short sleeves. Compare the fabric and measurement guide too: the collar alone does not determine how the shirt will fit.

Explore: Men’s shirts and tops · Men’s short-sleeve shirt

Are photographed belts and accessories included?

It depends on the product page. Some garments include a matching or removable belt, whereas certain Bermuda shorts explicitly exclude the belt. Do not rely on the photograph alone to determine what you are buying.

How can I find new arrivals and styles available in plus sizes?

Visit New IN to discover new arrivals. If you are looking for a plus size, check the variants and measurement guides of the styles you like. Several garments are offered in plus sizes, with different ranges depending on the cut.

Explore: New IN — new arrivals

How can I choose between different garments in the shop?

Start with how you want to wear the garment, then compare the cut, body measurements, composition, length and care instructions. The pages help distinguish a wrap dress from a loose kaftan, a fitted shirt from a relaxed style, or lightweight linen from a thicker fabric. If you are unsure, send us the links to the pieces you are considering.

Detailed information: Contact

What is the difference between a long and a short kimono?

The main difference is length and silhouette. A long kimono extends further down your outfit, while a short style layers easily over a top with trousers or a skirt. Fastenings also vary: some styles are worn open, while others have a belt. Compare the cut, the length where stated and the size guide on each product page.

Explore: Explore kimonos · Long silk kimono with belt · Short belted kimono

How can I wear a silk kimono day to day?

Layer it over a simple outfit to let the print stand out. Our product pages suggest wearing a kimono jacket with jeans, shorts or a skirt; some belted styles can also be worn closed as a top. Choose according to the cut and size guide. The “sari silk” described on these pages is a blend: check your chosen style for its exact composition.

Explore: Explore kimonos

How do I choose a plus-size kimono?

First check whether the style you like offers a variant suited to your measurements. Then compare your measurements with that style’s guide, considering whether you want to wear it open or closed. Depending on the cut, these uses may cover different size ranges. A one-size label or a loose cut alone does not guarantee the right fit.

Explore: Short kimono available in plus size

What is the difference between a kimono jacket and a loungewear kimono?

A kimono jacket is presented as a layer for an outfit, often with a short cut and an open front. Loungewear kimonos are offered for relaxing at home; some have a belt and pockets. Their uses can overlap: several product pages also suggest wearing them as an outer layer. Focus on the specific style’s cut, fastening, length and opacity.

Explore: Women’s jackets and tops · Homewear · Silk kimono jacket

How do I choose a silk dress for an occasion?

For everyday wear, start with the cut and details you enjoy: a button-front shirt dress, a wrap style and a loose kaftan create different silhouettes. For an evening out, you might choose a long dress, an open back or an adjustable neckline if that suits your taste. Check the length, measurements and composition on the product page: not all our dresses contain silk, and sari-silk styles are blends.

Explore: Explore dresses · Silk wrap dress

Can I wear a kimono or a bohemian dress to a ceremony?

Yes, these pieces can be an option for a ceremony if their cut and style suit the event’s dress code. Some product pages already suggest evening wear, such as a layered kimono or a kaftan styled with jewellery. Consider length, neckline, opacity and the measurement guide when choosing. This is a styling suggestion, not a collection specifically designed for ceremonies.

Explore: Explore dresses