Sample Gowns?

lachattefatale

Does anyone have experience with buying bridal salon sample gowns? How beat up do they get from being tried on a zillion times? Are they a good deal, or more hassle than they're worth?

A local bridal shop has a sample in the style I want, in my size, for less than half of my intended dress budget, marked down from definitely-out-of-budget. I won't be able to get there and see it in person until the weekend, so I'm going to agonize over these questions until then.

augsum15

My dress was a sample dress. And it's in really good shape, and yeah the price was great, normally an $1100 gown for $650 so well worth it right there.

The only thing WRONG with it I noticed was a TINY hole in the tulle and no one else would see it, but I was being all flowy with the dress and noticed, and there was one make up smudge inside the bust. The boutique I bought it from is having it dry-cleaned for me after alterations are done. 

They have to keep their dresses in nice condition, if you were JUST trying a dress on and ordering a brand new one, it's not gonna be reassuring if it's falling apart all over the place. I'd go for it, and don't worry about it.

natswild

I also bought a sample dress, and I love it!

minttobemrsb

My friend bought her dress as a sample for her wedding last year. Definitely couldn't tell at all. She noticed that there were a few beads that needed sewn back on from people trying it on, but the store did that for her when they cleaned and steamed her dress. 

If you've seen it in person and tried it on, you'd be able to tell if it looks worn or not. Plus some places will have them cleaned if you purchase the sample. If it's that much cheaper and puts you under budget, I'd go for it!

blabla89

Most shops keep their samples in good condition. Just make sure you look over it very carefully before buying. Also make sure you've budgeted for cleaning if needed.

I bought a sample dress that I thought was in great condition, but then I took it to the seamstress and she told me it was dirty. I guess I hadn't noticed, but she could tell right away because she has an eye for dresses.

lachattefatale

Thanks, guys. I'll definitely have it cleaned if I buy it; I don't think cleaning is included in this particular sale (but I'll ask). The online photos make it look pretty great, but there's a fluffy tulle section I wasn't sure about. I'll look it over carefully on Sunday.

Awkwardly, I have a big dress shopping appointment on Saturday at a different shop, with bridesmaids and moms coming along. It's going to be hard to try on full-price dresses for two hours knowing this sample is sitting there being awesome.

CMGragain

Each sample dress is different.  Some are in better condition than others.  You must carefully examine a sample dress before buying.  Dry cleaning any wedding dress will cost $100+.  If the dress is a polyester fabric (most are) you can spot clean it yourself with detergent and cold water.

Why are the bridesmaids coming?  Are they choosing their own dresses?

lachattefatale

Because I only have two, and it's my sister and my future sister-in-law, and it's ridiculous how well everyone gets along. And because I'd like some fashion perspective from someone under 65. Mostly because it's turned into a Family Bonding Event.

If I get the sample, adding $100+ for dry cleaning still comes in less than what I'd budgeted for a new dress before alterations. Supposedly, the sample is silk; it's a discontinued Enzoani, and I'm not very familiar with their dresses, so I guess we'll see.

Knottie59783736

My very best friend did purchase a sample gown and saved so much money.  Way less than 1/2 and it worked out so good.

hyechica81

i went to a bridal shop that was 85% samples everything she had in my bridal size including the next size up did not fit right at all the zippers or the lace ups would not go up all the way and it was as if the dresses were to small for me. they kept saying oh we can add panels to make the dress fit i didnt like that and i felt like something was wrong with the samples some of them were so wrinkled that even a steam would not help 

i ended up getting a dress from one of the designers i tried on there at another bridal salon ordered brand new in my size and it fit fine.

all samples are different just carefully check for rips stains missing beads etc 

missdelilah

You can definitely do well on sample dresses.  I had a bad experience with a sample dress.  Cleaning was included in the purchase price, and it came back with a huge mark on the bodice.  The sales lady kept trying to convince me that it was there when we first looked at it (um... no, because we took photos) or that they'd alter the dress for free in that area, but that would have resulted in a completely different neckline, and therefore not the dress I wanted.

I did end up buying a sample dress for the reception, because I decided my dress was way too heavy for the weather (and I'm so happy I did).  That experience turned out really well.  Full disclosure, the dress had only been in the store a few weeks, but the owner was desperate to get rid of as much as possible because the landlord decided to reduce the amount of space she was renting.  It was about two sizes too big though, but the alterations came out well.  In my whole shopping experience I tried on two dresses that were my size.  For some reason it seems like most of the samples in New England are huge, and I understand completely understand the logic behind it.  

Just make sure to check really carefully, and also see if you can get an estimate from someone on the alterations, because very rare is the bridal gown that needs none at all.  It can be worthwhile shopping around seamstresses though.

Good luck with it all.