Eva Franco's Bloomtown vs Anthro's En Plein Air Dress!

Violet Bloomtown Belted Dress (AKA Anthro's En Plein Air)  - by Eva Franco - Rue La La Orig $228 Sale $80 - July 2011

Jackie Cardigan in Breeze - by J Crew  - Orig $62 Sale $40 - July 2011

Stone Garden Necklace - Anthro $178 - Dec 2009

You may recall, I ordered Anthro's En Plein Air Dress by Eva Franco for the amazing price of $70 down from $258.  What possessed me?  The 2nd Cut Pop Back Devil in me.  Naturally I didn't check the reviews until after the deed was done.  Only to discover the dress ran small.  Sure enough, I couldn't zip it past my rib cage.

Lucky for her, I sold the size 4 En Plein Air Dress to a Local Reader.  At which time I had the great pleasure of meeting the lovely Allison.

I chose J Crew's Jackie Cardi in Breeze (pale Blue-Green) to top this dress for Summer.

Violet Bloomtown Belted Dress (Anthro's En Plein Air)  - by Eva Franco - Rue La La Orig $228 Sale $80 - July 2011

Jackie Cardigan in Breeze - by J Crew  - Orig $62 Sale $40 - July 2011

Many Roads Booties - by Zita Maria Italy - Anthro Orig $198 Sale $100 - Sept 2010

Stone Garden Necklace - Anthro $178 - Dec 2009

Shell Spiral Ring - by Aprosio and Co Italy -Anthro Orig $178 Sale $80 -July 2009 

JG of Stuff Jewish Girls Like came to my rescue.  It happened that Rue La La was having an Eva Franco sale that very day.  Amazing at it seems, the Violet Bloomtown Belted Dress (AKA Anthro's En Plein Air) was included in the online Boutique. Using JG's link for the purchase, was my way of thanking her with a $10 credit.  It was well deserved.

I soon discovered that no two dresses are created equal.

Violet Bloomtown Belted Dress (AKA Anthro's En Plein Air)  - by Eva Franco - Rue La La Orig $228 Sale $80 - July 2011

Shell Spiral Ring - by Aprosio and Co Italy -Anthro Orig $178 Sale $80 - July 2009

When the size 8 Violet Bloomtown Belted Dress arrived I was completely surprised to find that the dress fit.  Although, it runs big through the waist, but nothing a belt can't handle.  This dress is definitely cut with a smaller Bust and larger Waist in mind.  I also discovered a few favorable, and one not so favorable difference.

1.  The fabric and print are exactly the same.  Polyester (gag), in a stunning but heavy weight print.  It seems this has become an Eva Franco trend.  I see it this way, who's going to know but me and you. I wouldn't purchase full price, but I didn't bat an eye at 60 to 70% off.  As you will see at the end of this post.

The Violet Bloomtown with Anthro's Stone Garden Necklace.  

A match made in Heaven!

Violet Bloomtown Belted Dress (AKA Anthro's En Plein Air)  - by Eva Franco - Rue La La Orig $228 Sale $80 - July 2011

Jackie Cardigan in Breeze - by J Crew  - Orig $62 Sale $40 - July 2011

Stone Garden Necklace - Anthro $178 - Dec 2009

2.  The En Plein Air (if I remember correctly) is lined in Gold, while the Violet Bloomtown is lined in Bright Orange (my favorite color).
3.  I paid $10 more for the Violet Bloomtown..  Well worth it to me.
4.  Both dresses came with a coordinating belt, however the Violet Bloomtown does not have grommets inset in the holes. So the look is not as finished.  But the odd thing is, both the size 4 (En Plein Air) and the size 8 (Bloomtown) Belts were far too big for me.  I cut two additional holes in my Belt.
5.  But my favorite difference is the length.

The shorter Violet Bloomtown makes it a wearable, everyday Dress.

The hemline hits at a flattering and less formal above the knee location.

My Closet happily contains it's first ever Eva Franco Dress.

Hold that thought....

Violet Bloomtown Belted Dress (AKA Anthro's En Plein Air)  - by Eva Franco - Rue La La Orig $228 Sale $80 - July 2011

Many Roads Booties - by Zita Maria Italy - Anthro Orig $198 Sale $100 - Sept 2010

Sally Hansens Xtreme Wear in Crushed

I chose Anthro's Many Roads Booties by Zita Maria.  
A light, open Sandal Boot, with just enough heel.

While searching for an image of the actual Violet Bloomtown version of Eva Franco's dress, I stumbled onto...

 The Eva Franco Store at Amazon.  

Who knew such a place existed? 

I was stunned by my discovery. Here were a slew of dresses at amazing prices.  All in Rayon and Polyester.  See what I mean about a growing trend?  Oh well!  I didn't bat an eye at purchasing two amazing Eva Franco Dresses.

Violet Dress in Blue - By Eva Franco - Amazon Orig $312 Sale $92 - Aug 2011

The Violet Dress has one, three star review. No details are given to support the claim that the fit was frumpy. Since the Bloomtown is an 8, I went with that.  I'm not even sure the belt is included.  The color combination and similarity in cut to the Violet Bloomtown were the attraction. Both dresses carry the name Violet.

Archer Dress in Opus - by Eva Franco - Amazon Orig $295 Sale $59 - Aug 2011

No reviews available. I also went with size 8.  I'm hoping I can wear this as an everyday dress.  

Not that Eva Franco could ever replace Corey Lynn Calter's Silk/Cotton Blend Dresses filled with Fabulous-sity.  See my growing CLC Collection HERE! 

BTW,  there is an Eva Franco Store.  Also, Modcloth carries Eva Franco.  Most of the styles have already made their way through Anthro.  The Mullany Look Alike is to be released from production soon.

Do you love Eva Franco?  Do you cringe at her choice of fabrics? I can't help but notice that her Polyester choices are beautiful and high quality. Polyester will literally lasts forever.

Did you pick up anything from Anthro's Surprisingly Huge Sale?  You can view my Sale Picks HERE. 

Happy Weekend Wishes to all my Favorite Ladies.  Anthro Sister Love, Laura

lauramartinsemail@yahoo.com