Violet Affleck, 18, Criticized for Wearing Plunging Pink Dress Stepmom JLo Once Wore on a Date with Ben

Violet Affleck, the 18-year-old daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, recently sparked a debate online after she was spotted in Los Angeles wearing a familiar dress.

The dress, a stylish Dolce & Gabbana piece, was first worn by her stepmother Jennifer “JLo” Lopez during a romantic Valentine’s Day date with Ben in 2023, a night captured by the flashing cameras of the paparazzi.

JLo, known for her glamorous style, had paired the dress with a white belt, gold platform heels, and diamond earrings, creating a chic and polished look. In contrast, Violet opted for a more casual vibe.

Seen from different angles during a daytime stroll with a friend, she skipped the belt, paired the dress with sporty red-laced sneakers and white ankle socks, and finished the outfit with her signature eyeglasses.

The dress fluttered gently, as did Violet’s straight hair, which blew softly in the wind. With minimal makeup for a fresh, relaxed look, her outfit quickly caught the attention of social media users.

Some criticized Violet’s choice, with one person commenting, “She ruined a D&G with those sneakers. What is happening to fashion [sic]?!?!” while another said, “Yikes. Ruined that dress.”

A third commented, “Sorry sweetie, but the dress with the sneakers was not a good idea [sic]! ,” followed by another who bluntly stated, “Looks horrific.”

However, others were more supportive. “What a sweet kid! Good for her!” one fan wrote. Another expressed envy and noted, “I love that she can raid Jlo’s closet. How fun that was for her. She seems lovely [sic].”

Another appreciated the practical approach, “Nice. Why waste clothes?” Someone else added, “Violet you have so many cool closets to look at I love that you chose that dress so cute on you  [sic].”

Violet re-wearing JLo’s dress comes after she spent time bonding with her in the Hamptons in July. The two were spotted chatting and shopping at the East Hampton Antiques & Design Show. Violet looked relaxed in another pink ensemble—a shirt and skirt with a white sweater tied around her waist, and she completed the look with a surgical face mask and sneakers.

JLo, meanwhile, stepped out in style. The acclaimed musician was wearing a white sleeveless top paired with flared denim jeans, a brown purse, and heels.

The pop singer and Violet enjoyed another stepmother-stepdaughter moment in Southampton, joined by Violet’s friend, actress Cassidey Fralin. JLo wore a long black dress with sandals and sunglasses, while Violet chose a red and pink shirt, patterned pants, and sneakers.

As Violet stepped into the spotlight with her stepmom, she showed that she was not afraid to mix her personal style with a touch of high fashion—even if it meant sparking a conversation.

But fashion isn’t the only area where Violet makes her voice heard; she’s also unafraid to speak up on important issues, particularly those concerning health.

Reported on July 11, Violet stole the spotlight at the LA County Board of Supervisors forum, where she didn’t just attend; she advocated for crucial public health measures and briefly shared her health struggle.

Dressed in a floral-printed white outfit, minimal accessories, a white facemask, and her signature black glasses, she briefly disclosed, “I contracted a post-viral condition in 2019. I’m okay now,” without delving further into the specifics of her past illness.

However, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine has defined Violet’s condition.

According to NCBI, post-viral pain syndrome is a complex condition that occurs after recovering from a viral infection. It can cause persistent pain, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, nerve pain, cognitive difficulties, and sleep disturbances.

By sharing her experience, Violet highlights the challenges of this often misunderstood condition and underscores the importance of public awareness and support.

In addition to her passion for public health, Violet celebrated a significant milestone by graduating from Marlborough High School. This momentous occasion left her mother, Jennifer, overwhelmed with emotion.

Last May, Jennifer shared her heartfelt experience on Instagram, sharing four photos and a video of herself crying on a plane, worried she might miss Violet’s graduation ceremony. “Tell me you have a graduate without telling me you have a graduate.  (bless our hearts ♥️),” Jennifer’s captioned her post.

Despite her fears, Jennifer made it to the ceremony just in time. She joined other proud parents, clapping and crying during the graduation rites, capturing the profound joy and pride she felt for Violet’s achievement.

As Violet transitions to college, excitement builds for her next chapter. A 2024 class photo from Marlborough High School captures this perfectly, showing Violet and her classmates wearing their university sweaters—a cherished school tradition prominently highlighted on the school’s Instagram account.

In a post, the school explained how seniors reveal their chosen colleges by wearing their new school sweatshirts. In the featured photo, Violet proudly wore a dark blue jacket emblazoned with the name of her new university, Yale.

While Jennifer celebrated Violet’s new chapter of her life, Ben also cherished a special yet simple father-daughter outing. Back in June, Ben and his daughter enjoyed lunch together at Tasty Noodle House in Los Angeles. Netizens noted not only Ben’s appearance but also Violet’s outfit.

The “Gone Girl” actor sported a white shirt under a flannel, paired with denim pants and Nike sneakers for their casual outing. Violet, on the other hand, looked stylish in a black dress layered over a white flowy long-sleeved top.

She accessorized with a unique embroidered vest from the clothing brand Niloufar Saba, purple socks, and black sneakers. Violet also wore eyeglasses and a white face mask, seemingly keeping a low profile. Despite her efforts to stay under the radar, photos of the duo quickly circulated online

Fans were surprised by Violet’s striking resemblance to Jennifer, with one noting that Violet is “the spitting image of her mother” and another commenting on how much she looks like Jennifer.

Opinions on her fashion choice were mixed. While some criticized her outfit and described Violet’s style as “very weird,” others appreciated her modest approach to fashion.

More netizens complimented Violet’s fashion choices. One complimented her “good taste” in style, while another admired her outfit, as she matched the color of the vest with her name.

As a teenager, Violet developed a passion for experimenting with makeup, starting at the age of 13. In a 2019 interview, her mother noted Violet’s fascination with makeup and explained that while Violet enjoys trying different products, she is careful not to overdo it.

The “Alias” star mentioned that Violet sometimes checks in with her before leaving the house to ensure her makeup is appropriate. If it’s not, Jennifer advises her to tone it down. Navigating Violet’s teenage years has been a learning process for the actress, who acknowledged the challenges of adolescence.

While discussing Violet’s interest in makeup, the actress reflected, “I think it’s probably extra complicated when you literally were nursed in the makeup chair as an infant, and have grown up sitting in your mom’s lap while she got her makeup done your whole life.”

Violet Affleck’s choice to wear JLo’s Dolce & Gabbana dress with sneakers shows her bold, unique style. This fashion twist, along with her public health advocacy and recent graduation, highlights Violet’s confidence and excitement for what comes next.