Whether you are financially sensible, or simply a practical “green bride,” buying a sample wedding gown makes tremendous sense these days. Not only can you snag a reputable designer gown with all of the couture bells and whistles for up to 75% off, but you are also reusing and recycling. But for those brides who have not considered buying a sample wedding gown thus far, here are a few myths that we have debunked for you.
Myth #1 Sample gowns have been tried on by hundreds of brides.
This could very well be true; however, very unlikely. The bridal industry unveils a large selection of new gowns every six months just prior to peak wedding seasons in spring and fall. Bridal boutiques and online wedding sites are constantly refreshing inventory to showcase the industry’s latest trends and dresses. In addition, large salons, like Kleinfeld’s in New York, may have thousands of sample gowns in-store at any given time. Some may never even hit the dressing room… So, no worries, most sample gowns are basically new!
Myth #2 Sample gowns cannot be altered. Any wedding gown can be altered to fit if the actual dress is too big for its bride. You should never purchase a gown that is already too small or “just fits,” because you certainly can’t make it larger if needed. This may seem like common sense; however, industry professionals meet brides time and time again that purchase their wedding gown too small in hopes of trimming down a bit before their big day. Buying a dress that is too little, sample or not, can leave you scrambling to find another dress last minute.
Myth #3 Sample gowns cannot be cleaned. Since sample gowns are typically sold “as is,” it is imperative that you examine every square inch of the gown before buying it. Make sure that there are no rips, tears, or unsightly stains in the fabric that may be difficult to mend or clean. Keep in mind that sample gowns in decent shape can most certainly be professionally dry-cleaned. With proper cleaning and care, a sample gown can look essentially brand new—no one even has to know that other brides have previously tried it on.
Myth #4 Sample gowns cannot be returned. Although some salons will deem sample gowns a “final sale,” you should definitely inquire about the return policy up front. For example, many online sites, such as Bridepower.com, allow returns, but of course you will always pay return shipping, etc. For order cancellations, you will often pay a restocking fee, which can be upwards of $65. To avoid any excessive shipping or return fees, make sure you are buying a dress that you truly love—not one you “like” influenced by price.
Myth #5 Sample wedding dresses are only available at blowout sample sales. When you think sample dress, of course you think “sample sale.” Does the famous Running of the Brides by Filene’s Basement come to mind? Can you visualize ripping through racks and grabbing every sample dress you see in your size? Well, that certainly is one eventful way to get a fabulous deal on a sample gown; however it’s not the only way. Many salons will keep a handful of sample gowns (even if not visibly on the sales floor) that you can buy right off of the rack. Otherwise, the Internet might be your best bet when looking for sample wedding gowns and overstocks at a good price. Again, try sites such as bridepower.com.
Purchasing a sample wedding gown may be money well spent, if in the end, you love your dress. While in the buying process, look for a gown that has room to be altered, does not have extensive rips, holes, or stains, and can be returned if needed. Don’t overlook buying “off the rack” or attending a memorable sample sale. Remember good deals are only good deals if you shop carefully and buy smart.
