The Violet Hour Dress

If you ever find yourself in Chicago's Wicker Park district at night, head towards the park. Walk past the elevated train tracks, past the restaurants, boutiques, and bars, away from all the lights and noise, until you see a vast, graffiti-tagged wall. A solitary carriage lamp hangs off the wall, emitting a faint, yellow glow just bright enough to show the sprawl of graffiti and a single door handle jutting out of the wall. Pull the handle. Once you do, a large, well-disguised door emerges fr... More

If you ever find yourself in Chicago's Wicker Park district at night, head towards the park. Walk past the elevated train tracks, past the restaurants, boutiques, and bars, away from all the lights and noise, until you see a vast, graffiti-tagged wall. A solitary carriage lamp hangs off the wall, emitting a faint, yellow glow just bright enough to show the sprawl of graffiti and a single door handle jutting out of the wall. Pull the handle. Once you do, a large, well-disguised door emerges from the surface, swinging open to reveal a dark, narrow hallway. The hallway is dimly lit and unadorned, save for a wall of heavy grey curtains at the end of the hall, and a framed sign that informs you that if you are to proceed, cell phones are to be set on silent, and that you should not bring in anyone you wouldn't bring to your mother's house. You glance at your date. Eh, he'll pass. Grab his hand and push through the curtains, where a tall, suited man will usher you through another set of curtains. And suddenly, the entire space changes. Suddenly, you're standing in a spacious, gently lit room with arrangements of throne-like cerulean leather chairs and small white tables, dangling chandeliers, and a well-stocked bar counter. Welcome to The Violet Hour, Chicago's best-kept secret and the namesake of this equally bewitching violet dress. Like the bar, this alluring frock is both refined and surprising, with its classic, ladylike form and unexpectedly edgy rows of zippers along the sleeves, collar, waist, and hem. I couldn't imagine a more perfect dress to go to the Violet Hour in, especially paired with black tights, heels, and a colorful clutch. But even if you're miles away from Chicago, with this dress you can always be Windy City wonderful! — Jenn, Fashion Writer

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