Ah, the vintage violet print. You may have seen old catalog pictures floating around the blogosphere, as people wistfully talk about the print of yore (or yesteryear). I know not everyone pines for those clothes, but you must admit there was something special about the brightness, the cheeriness, the healthy and smiling models. Anyway, I digress...
J.Crew consistently does two things so well: pencil skirts and colors. This vintage violet color is classic J.Crew. It's a saturated, gorgeous purple that looks rich and makes everyone look lovely. The print is big, but beyond beautiful. Here are catalog pics of the dress and cami:
I initially just searched for the cami, but then one day, I popped onto that greatest of evils/sites, eBay. Checked out my usual J.Crew, and what should appear? The Vintage Violet Shirtdress, in all its silken glory. Not only that, but it was NWT and a reasonable price, especially considering the original retail ($325). Er, yes please. Then I waited impatiently for it to arrive.
Hello gorgeous. Now this is not really an everyday kind of piece. I can't throw it on and hit Target. But let me tell you, for a special occasion, it's perfection. Mostly I just love that it makes me feel fabulous and confident. Because you really need a bit of confidence to wear a very purple, very floral dress like this. I would not call it a wallflower dress. (ha, see what I did there?) It has an empire waist and the fabulous pockets that I love in these print dresses. Bit of a ruffled collar and cuffs, but done in a classic way. Tiny black buttons up the placket. Light as air silk (with lining of course).
So anyway, enough blathering on. Here are some pictures:
I mean...right? Isn't it fab?! Do you remember this print? Do you have any pieces? Do you have a cami you'd like to sell me? (hee hee)
Have a wonderful day!
OMGGGG this print is absolutely gorgeous, the voilet is amazing - I really wish J Crew would bring something like this back. The cami would be such a fun summer piece :) Thanks for sharing - that dress looks fabulous on you, great piece!
ReplyDeleteTasia
You know I love this dress... of course I do!
ReplyDeleteI curse myself for not buying it. I have the purple dot and the black dot in this style, with the sleeves and pockets it is just a great dress.
I've been looking for this on ebay as well but it's hard to find for a good price. Good shopping! ;)
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ReplyDeleteAHH, I actually owned this dress and gave it away, because I bought a 2 and it was too large. I felt it was too "busy" of a print, as well. I do love the color, though. Wish I'd purchased the cami.
ReplyDeleteYou look incredible in that gorgeous dress. I especially like the demure heels you wore with it, it's perfection!
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful!!! What size did you take.... I'm on the lookout!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful on you! Another fantastic score! It's so very "Mad Men" and I keep wondering why JC doesn't do a "From the Archives" collection... things like this dress would sell out in a second. Of course they would have to maintain the detailing, fabric grade and quality workmanship, at which point most of us would be priced out. Sigh. Veeeery envious that you are able to find vintage treasures like this one.
ReplyDeleteI have the sweater. I would love the dress, it's beautiful and you look darling in it.
ReplyDeleteso pretty and vivid- JC should totally reissue some classics as closet crisis suggested!
ReplyDeleteYay! You got it! I saw this on eBay hoping someone would get it. Looks so cute and I love the ruffle collar!
ReplyDeleteWow it fits you perfectly! I could not imagine a better dress for your frame. Love it on you! :)
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted this dress but after seeing these pics, I HAVE to have it now! It's beautiful on you!!
ReplyDeleteThat dress looks gorgeous on you! Such a beautiful print. I love old school J. Crew prints (I just wrote about my J. Crew white cotton dress with the red poppy print on my blog - one of my all-time favourite pieces). I wish that J. Crew would sometimes dip into their archives and "reissue" a few pieces every so often. They would make a killing!
ReplyDeleteI have the vintage violet shirtdress too, and love it. congrats on finding one of your own!
ReplyDeleteDo you buy lottery tickets? Frequent Vegas? Because you are fab at rolling that dice, always scoring lucky =) Such a beautiful dress -- can you imagine wearing it in winter with tall boots, it would almost make you forget any dreary weather. Plus it looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness -- what a fantastic find! The print and colors are truly stunning. Hope you get to wear it to many a special occasion!
ReplyDeletetiny dancer -- Thanks! I'd love that cami too. :)
ReplyDeleteDaniBP -- I knew you'd love this one too of course. :) There are some caarazzzy prices on ebay for it, so yeah, hopefully there will be another deal soon.
AppGal -- Haha, you should have bought it just to sell to a JCA! ;) (just so no price-gouging reseller gets it) It's definitely a bit of a loud print! I think you still did well at the CC, hee.
Chrissy -- Thanks! Boo that it didn't fit you.
xoxo -- Thanks! I wasn't sure about the shoes at first, but looking at the pics, the black definitely works.
milljcrew -- Thank you! This is a 2, and honestly, I could maybe have done a 4 a bit better, but it still fits w/o stretching. So it seems to run a touch on the smallish side in the bust area. Since it's silk, there's no give.
Closet Crisis -- I am soooo with you. Wouldn't it be amazing if they did a From the Archives?? Seriously, they'd be snapped up in seconds. But you're right in that they'd still have to price them accordingly and likely wouldn't make it to a sale price.
molly -- Thanks! I love the sweater as well. Wish they'd done the violet color in it!
thatdamngreendress -- Thank you and totally agree they should bring some great prints back!
turqouise22 -- Thanks! :)
lolita.lee.love -- Thank you! :)
tiffany rose -- Haha, sorry to enable. It's a gorgeous dress though, so I have to say I highly recommend it! Hope you can track one down!
Louise -- Thanks! I saw your post about your old-school dress and have to agree that they'd make a mint!
tastymoog -- Thanks!
dinster -- lol!! Maybe I should buy lottery tickets as I'm wasting all my good luck on ebay! haha. Yes, I think you could make it work in winter with some dark pairings, and it would cheer everyone up!
Jamie -- Thank you! I'm planning to wear it very soon.
Ha, I know, I should have! I actually thought about it knowing that *someone* would want it, but it was such a risk knowing that it wasn't my size and it might not sell. Didn't want to be in the hole! :)
ReplyDeleteI have the camisole and love the print:) I also own the matching clutch bag. I bought so much JCrew then in all the glorious prints. So glad I did.
ReplyDeleteAppGal -- No, I know what you mean. That would have been a PITA if you couldn't sell it! :)
ReplyDeleteGenny -- jealous of the cami and bag! I see the cami posted on ebay now and then, but for really high prices, so I'll just admire for now. Enjoy!
I have the jacket and I absolutely adore it! I actually pulled it out of the closet the other night and tried it on just because..
ReplyDeleteI am *currently* selling my size 4 Vintage Violet Dress on Ebay right now. I loved this dress so much that I bought it even though It didn't fit, which I have been in denial of up until now.
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