Attire & Accessories Forum

Knock-off replica wedding dress websites

Hello!  I was just wondering...has anyone purchased a replica wedding dress from a website that makes knock off designer gowns?  I am looking at www.bigdaydress.com  I am looking at purchasing a Watters gown that retails at 3300 from this website for only 300.  Can anyone help a sister out?!?  Any information would be much appreciated!

Re: Knock-off replica wedding dress websites

  • Coming from someone that works in the fashion industry: you will get what you paid for. 

    No judgement attached to that, but my unbiased opinion is that there is no way the counterfeiters can replicate the gown to the same specifications as one 10x the price. There's just no way that they can source the same fabrics (which WILL drape differently) or do similar bead work (my guess is that the $3k one is done by hand and the $300 one uses plastic/glass beads with one dimensional assembly done by machine). 

    The fit and pattern may also be off based on their local fit model (whether the girl in the factory is longer waisted than leggy, etc.). 

    If you like the look and can only afford the $300 gown, go for it but prepare for the quality to not be the same. It will probably be of reasonable comparable quality with other $300 gowns though... not exactly a "deal" but you'll get a style you like for a price you can pay. 

    If the $3k gown is one that makes your heart skip a beat and you can afford it, I would order the original. 
    "I liked it, so I put a ring on it" - future Mr. Box
  • My friend got a knock-off Maggie Sottero gown; and it looked pretty.  She bought it for $150; and with alterations of another $150, a huge savings from a normally $1500 gown.  But yeah, the material will be of less quality.  But first, do research on the company you're going to buy from, because I heard that some of those companies also don't send you the dress after paying them in full.  If all else fails, my MOH's aunt (I'm in CA) replicates dresses from scratch for about $500; so I'm sure you can find a local tailor that can do the same.  I just got lucky with finding a deal on an original for mine.  I got mine from Craigslist - from someone who ended up using a different dress, so I got a new designer gown for about 1/3 of the price. 
  • You're supporting sweatshop labor and doing further damage to the US garment industry, as well as getting something that will use the cheapest possible materials and cut corners on construction techniques. Even if it's made well enough for you to want to be seen in it, you will still have to get the gown fitted and altered locally. Really, it's not worth it.
  • Most of the ladies on here will say don't buy a knock off dress for all of the reasons listed above.

    Have you tried oncewed.com or preownedweddingdresses.com to see if you could find a gently used real one?
  • You may want to check out some of the threads on project wedding regarding buying dresses oversease. Alot of them have had success with Milly's bridal, dressilyme, gianrar and some others. But make sure you do research.
  • I did a lot of research about reviews, and actually ended up ordering two dresses, one from Dress Times and one from DressilyMe. One was $150 with shipping and the other was $275. They shipped them a week early, and they are surprisingly beautiful!! I got replicas of Maggie Sottero's Jewel Ann and Kendra. Seriously gorgeous. The ladies were in constant contact with me, sent pictures, and got it done early. The fabric is the same and the beading is not quite identical, but you can barely tell. True, the quality is slightly less, but you can't tell without close inspection, and for a dress I'm only going to wear once, it was perfect. :) 

  • Thank you all for your detailed input and advice, I sincerely appreciate that you took the time for thoughtful responses, thank you!!!  I have decided on a Maggie Sottero dress from a trunk show, it was a terrific price.  Thank you again and again for all of your help!
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards