The art of subtle
Hi and welcome to Dose of Subtle, I’m Olivia. For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of being a fashion designer. As a little girl I spent my time sketching princess-inspired collections and peering over my grandma’s shoulder, watching her at her sewing machine. I always thought to be a designer you had to go to a special art school or train for years at a legacy Parisian house. It wasn’t until I taught myself how to sew in 2018 that I realized that really all it takes is passion and a commitment to learning.
Since then, I’ve spent nearly 8 years honing my skills and teaching others how to sew, and now I truly feel like it’s time to step into my next chapter. 2026 is a unique time to start a brand because now more than ever, every design choice must be intentional. We already have a plethora of clothing on this earth so I feel it’s my responsibility to build something that doesn’t add to the chaos.
That’s why intentionality and transparency are at the heart of my brand. Most of, if not all, the products you see on this site are made with fabric that was sourced secondhand, whether that’s from deadstock fabric suppliers, estate sales, or even thrift stores. Natural fiber fabrics are prioritized for every design as they are the most earth-and-human-friendly. And all of our pieces are designed and made one at a time to reduce waste as much as possible.
Every design is thoughtfully made in-house by me where I spend a tremendous amount of time drafting, sewing, and perfecting the fit of each. If you buy a Dose of Subtle piece, my hope is that it is one you can wear over and over again, and maybe even pass down or gift to a loved one someday.
As we grow, I’m committed to continuing these values in the hopes that Dose of Subtle (as well as the many other amazing and talented independent fashion brands out there) can change the fashion industry for the better.
NEW DROPS EVERY MONTH.
ONE-OF-A-KIND.
NATURAL FABRICS.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
RETURN POLICY
All pieces in our shop are handmade on a one-of-one basis and undergo a thorough quality inspection before shipment. Therefore, at this time we cannot accept returns. That said, we want you to be happy with your purchase. If you’re concerned about sizing/fit/material of a specific garment, please reach out to contact@doseofsubtle.com prior to purchasing, and we will be more than happy to assist you in determining if the item you wish to purchase is right for you. As we grow, this policy will evolve.
SHIPPING & PRODUCTION
Every piece is made to order, one at a time, in my Austin studio. Please allow up to 2 weeks for production before your order ships. This is in addition to the shipping times below.
Once your piece is finished, it's on its way:
United States: Free shipping, arriving in about 5–7 business days.
International: Free shipping worldwide, import duties included. Any local taxes are shown and collected at checkout. Your total on the last page of checkout is final (a.k.a. you have nothing extra to pay when your package arrives). Delivery typically takes 7–14 business days, depending on your location and customs.
You'll receive an order confirmation when you check out, and a separate shipping confirmation once your piece is on its way. Full payment is required before your order ships.
Questions? Reach me anytime at contact@doseofsubtle.com. I'm always happy to help.
MADE-TO-ORDER
We believe in creating clothing with intention, which is why all our pieces are made-to-order. This means that instead of mass-producing garments in large quantities, each item is made one at a time.
Our team designs and creates every piece in-house, ensuring that each garment meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. The process takes time, typically around 2 weeks, because we dedicate attention to every detail.
For more information on our production process, please email contact@doseofsubtle.com.
OUR FABRICS
We are committed to sustainability and creating unique, one-of-a-kind garments. That’s why whenever possible, we source deadstock/upcycled fabrics for all our designs. Deadstock refers to leftover, unused fabric from mills or fashion houses that would otherwise go to waste. Instead of letting these beautiful materials end up in landfills, we give them new life by incorporating them into our collections.
We carefully curate the highest quality fabrics, and because we source them in small batches, each style we create is either one-of-one or part of a limited-edition run. This not only reduces textile waste but also ensures that your piece is truly special and unique, crafted from fabric that may never be available again.
We always prioritize natural fiber fabrics like 100% cotton, silk, linen, and wool. There are times when a synthetic/polyester textile is required based on the use case. For example, lace trim is a very delicate material that easily rips when not given the utmost care. We want your garment to last decades, so we will source lace trims made with polyester 1) because they are deadstock and 2) because they are going to last longer and won't deteriorate as quickly.
We choose every fabric with intention. For more details on fabric composition and why we picked the fabrics we did, take a look at the description details of each piece.
SIZING
You can find detailed measurements in the sizing section on each product page to help you determine the fit of a garment.
Oftentimes, the available sizing of a garment comes down to the quantity of the fabric we have sourced and the design itself.
If you love one of our designs but don't see it in your size, reach out to us at contact@doseofsubtle.com, and we'd be more than happy to chat through recreating the piece in your perfect fit in a different fabric option.