Dolce Vita

I was at the Ballard Farmers Market today, and just happened to notice that the store is closing and everything is on sale. Since I am relatively unable to escape a good sale, I went in.
True to form, like many other reviewers have mentioned, the sales staff was unfriendly. But, I was able to score an awesome pair of black boots and an adorable faux fur jacket for a good price. There is still alot of Cynthia Vincent, and shoes galore, if anyone is interested.
I always did think the prices were kinda high here, really, $ 200 for a t-​shirt?
Wonder what the next store will be…

I want to like this Dolce Vita boutique because I love the brand. They have some really cute clothes and a nice selection of shoes and accessories. The prices are a little steep but I have gotten a few things I love.
This location gets two stars mainly for the quality of the service. The ladies who work in Dolce Vita are too hands off. I don’t want to be followed and hounded when I shop, but it would be nice to be acknowledged. Maybe a «hello», or a «good bye», or something that tells me the are interested in the products they are selling.

I tried to like shopping at Dolce Vita; I really did. As other reviewers have mentioned, they do have some cool, unique pieces at fairly reasonable prices. But here’s the thing: regardless of whether the owner of this shop realizes it or not, customer service DOES matter, even in the ‘Seattle freeze’ environment. At first I thought maybe the sales staff’s coldness and general disinterest towards helping (or even acknowledging!) customers who walk through the doors was a Ballard thing, but no: re-​souL and Horseshoe have become two of my favorite places to shop in Seattle, largely because of the helpfulness friendliness of their staff.
I went in (for the last time) yesterday at around 2:00 when the Ballard farmer’s market was still hoppin’. The two girls behind the counter were turned away from the front door, noodling on a computer at the counter, and eating chips. Twice I walked directly in front of the counter, once to peruse the jewelry in the display case, and never was I even acknowledged by those two. I’m clearly someone in their demographic: female, late 20s, look like I’d shop there, and never was I even LOOKED at by these two prissy broads running the place.
If I want Dolce Vita from now on, I’m going the Nordstrom or online route. I normally like to keep things local, but in this case, I just won’t do it. To the owner (s) of Dolce Vita: your sales force is a lot more about looking pretty.

This is one reason of a thousand to LOVE Ballard. Cool, spacious, smart boutique. The designs here are at once modern/​sophisticated and super-​feminine, with great little details and flowing silhouettes I can’t wait to get into. Don’t know if we’re alone in this, but we were seeing reflections of Marc Jacobs everywhere! Some sweet shoes, too, and low-​key, professional service. (Read: they smile, they’re there when you need them, but they don’t HOVER.) Prices are of the mid-​range Nordstrom variety.
Those who think Dolce Vita is the cat’s pajamas are in good company; check out this review — and then by all means, SHOP.

Is it such a bad idea that the sales people would get off their stools and offer to help customers? Is it the policy of this establishment to employ people who are either bored out of their minds, hungover or really have no interest in making a sale? In this economy it seems like a really bad policy. This particular Sunday, I walked in to the store, the sales staff stared blankly at us. I said I was looking for a dress. The sales person waved her hand vaguely around the store and said, «They are everywhere.» I was really so shocked by their lack of interest (I had some money! I wanted to spend it!) that I suggested it would be useful for them to help customers who walk into their store. They muttered something unintelligible about it being Sunday and continued with the blank stares. They had a couple cute things but I will never shop here again. Never mind, we headed across the street to Horseshoe where the sales people were enthusiastic, energetic and lovely and capable of selling a dress!

My favorite boutique while strolling around the super cute town of Ballard! I loved the sophisticated yet edgy clothing and the clean and contemporary layout of the space. Not only do they feature their own collection of clothing and shoes, but they also carry other designers like Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent.
The sales associates were all very friendly and helpful, and when a particular dress caught my eye, they offered to take my size off the mannequin even though I didn’t ask them to. I’m so happy they suggested the x-​small though, because it fit like a glove! Here’s what I picked out:
The price was reasonable at $ 165, and with all the compliments I’ve already received when wearing it out to my last event, it’s paid itself off!

Fun place to check out when in Ballard.
Wasn’t a big fan of their clothes (I prefer mine to be more classic rather than edgy) but LOVED some of their jewelry pieces.
The best part?
75% off all their jewelry.
GO NOW!

Amazing product, amazing price.
It’s tough to find designer style clothes for non-​designer prices.
Dolce Vita seems like a great company, from their apparel selection to the opportunities for their staff.

Dolce Vita contains a few interesting and eclectic pieces as well as some very edgy shoes. I wouldn’t doubt the fact that most of the items here are of fine quality and worth the purchase price.
Sadly that doesn’t make up for the very poor customer service. I’ve come back 3 times and never received any acknowledgment or help from staff.
Most of time they either just stood at the counter and stared outside or went to the back room.
I know where I can spend my money at better shops in Ballard with a greater selection and customer service.

I was reluctant to write a review because I get basically all my shoes from here. and if all ya’ll bitches out there take away my precious size 6.5 shoes away from me… well you’ll here about it. Anyway, i love DVs style, from the shoes, to the sales girls (who are always really sweet, especially the cute little asian girl). Alas, the store is a little pricey (the clothes are ridiculously expensive) but sometimes you can catch one of their random sales.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Maybe I just caught the salespeople here on a bad day… twice. Maybe they just run out of sizes larger than a six really fast (is an 8 in something, anything, too much to ask? Really?) Maybe they just seemed deeply irritated about helping me because the other woman in the store NEEDED 3 people to help her find that perfect dress.
Maybe I will give this store another shot.
Maybe I will not.
I’m updating here– I returned and found a great sweater on sale and the general attitude of the salespeople to be much more pleasant. Pleasanter? Anywho, it was better.

I wear the flat boots I bought here almost every day. These boots are perfectly slouchy and the leather/​brass details are lovely. Every season this store surprises me with quality shoes that are ahead of the fashion curve. Dolce Vita is the best shoe value in Seattle.
My only complaint is that this store is in Ballard. Wouldn’t downtown make more sense? I would certainly buy shoes more often…

I worked up the street from Dolce Vita when it opened (I was one of the first to write it up on the Blackbird blog, check it out!
).
They carry several great clothing lines that can be hard to find in Seattle; unfortunately they don’t come cheap. But with an entire wall of Dolce Vita brand shoes at very reasonable prices, it’s hard to complain too much. My advice is to save on the shoes, splurge on the dress, and wait for their great sales to roll around for the other 2 dresses that you really want but don’t feel justified buying.
The ladies in the shop are incredibly sweet and helpful. Go to them for some honest advice and help picking out sizes, sans pushy sales tactics. The store is beautiful and is such a great addition to the neighborhood. Now all the ladies who hate to leave Ballard have even more options to keep them well-​dressed and well-​heeled!

O frabjous day! The slithy shoes are brillig and affordable. I chortled in my joy.
Beware! The clothes, though beamish, have frumious pricetags with jaws that bite and claws that catch.
But: Callooh! Callay! Clearance!

Hooray for fall. I heart boots, coats, warm and snuggly things and pretty dresses… but especially boots. A good pair of boots can last you for years, but it’s so difficult finding a pair that are 1) well-​made, 2) unique and 3) affordable.
Dolce Vita has the best collection of fall boots I have seen yet. The heels are nice and sturdy, yet uniquely sexy. The leather is quality and the attention to adorable details (seams and lines, buckles and straps) make them all so wonderfully unusual. And the prices? I couldn’t believe it. Most of the boots are under $ 200, which really surprised me.
The clothes are very cool and strike a nice balance between pretty and smart. Not too trendy with good, substantial fabrics. You can get some investment pieces here (wool pants, white blouse) with little added details that make them anything but J.Crew.
I will miss Olivine, but Dolce Vita is a lovely replacement for my Ballard shopping fix.

I agree with Katie. It’s the best ladies clothing shop on ballard avenue! they have clothes and shoes so whatever your fix is, you’ll probably find something to buy here. Now while my husband is at blackbird, I’ll be at dolce vita.

Just got a hot little dress on sale here this afternoon.
Best lookin’ ladies duds in Ballard, for sure. Great service, awesome sale stuff, and an abundance of great fall pieces that might force me to switch to ramen for a few months so I can buy a boatload of them.

Still smelled like a new store, when I walked in a couple weeks ago.
Good looking store. Good looking clothes.
Over my budget actually, but it’s free to look at them!
If I want a dress I may check this place out.