Dress shops in Alexandria area?

Luce1025 · September 2009

I'm going dress shopping with my mom this weekend and next and haven't looked at any yet. I've read some bad stories about David's Bridal (although we'll still check it out). Can anyone recommend a dress shop in the Alexandria/Springfield/Arlington and maybe even DC Maryland area?

razdazzle_22377334 · September 2009

Not sure about VA - but in MD there is Terry Lynn Bridal in Bethesda and Distinctive Designs in Rockville. I had a great experience in both shops. I highly recommend Terry Lynn especially because they only do one appointment at a time, so you will have free reign to try on any dress in the store.Check out their websites to see what gowns they carry:http://www.terrilynnbridal.com/http://www.ddbridal.com/Also I'm not sure what your budget is but in Terri Lynn I didn't try any on dress above $2500 and in Distinctive Designs I didn't try any dress above $1900

guacamolly · September 2009

I would suggest Maria's in Fairfax - lotssss of dresses around the $1000 or less pricetag and the girls working there were VERY helpful. Katherine's is good - but make sure you make an appointment with Kathleen - if you can't get her, don't waste your time. I was treated VERY rudely by another associate, and although I found my dress there, I ended up buying it from another shop beause of how I was treated to start with. Ann's Boutique in Burke is pretty good - it's a little small, and I think my dress at $1400 was on the low end of what they had in stock, but they were by far the most HONEST of all the sales people I encountered and not pushy (granted we also went in there knowing just what we wanted and that we were planning to order that day).Some others that I went to that were okay were White Swan in Vienna - just found the owner to be EXTREMELY pushy gauranteeing that I would never find a better deal or better service. I did. HOWEVER, they do have all their dresses on forms which is nice and they do custom measurements, so theoretically (assuming you lose/gain NO weight) your dress should come in with no alterations neccessary. I also went to Moni's in Manassas. The girl there was nice, but completely overwhelemed. We got our dressing room bumped from us (we had an appointment) for someone that just walked in. The David's Bridal in Springfield is far better than the one in Woodbridge. Just be prepared to help yourself to dresses and not be attended to AT ALL by the person helping you. Also, make an appointment. The wait has been multiple hours when I've gone in there before.

phkesner · September 2009

I really liked the people at Katherine's-- ask for Kit, she is great. I found my dress at Ellie's but due to reviews, White Swan in Vienna was able to order it and did the alterations and I liked them a lot-- they even matched the lowest price I found.

OFF · September 2009

I loved Hitched it's a small boutique in G'town. Also, Priscilla of Boston in Tysons is wonderful that's where I got my dress make an appointment with Kelly who is super helpful if you can, but everyone is nice. Also, Jeanette's in Manasass. It's a hike but they have a really good selection and decent prices. Also try Maria's in Fairfax small shop but really good selection. Also, I had a horrible experience at Ellie's totally just unprofessional and rude.

fchan1 · September 2009

I just posted on another thread about shop recs, but I'll post here too.

I'm a bit of a brat in that first impressions mean a lot to me and I got so screwed over at the David's Bridal in Springfield that my BM told them off, I talked to the manager, and I don't care how affordable their dresses are, I'm never going back there and I'm not getting my BM dresses from there either. White Swan in Vienna - Natasha (as my BM and I affectionately refer the owner) is a little brash, and I agree, does say that her prices are the best and you'll never find a better deal/dress/etc., but honestly - the woman knows her dresses! Her consultants are young and adorable to work with and there is also a good selection of dresses. Maria's Bridal in Fairfax - hands down the best shop I've been too. They're small but incredible customer service. I found the ONE there, but have not bought since we don't have any other details nailed down yet. Ann's Boutique in Burke - definitely need an appointment, but they carry a large selection of dresses and BM dresses too. I actually found a gorgeous Lazaro there, but it was way over my price range. PoB in Tysons - beautiful store and laid back consultant. If you're ok with limiting yourself to a few designer/lines, this is a great salon. Hannelores in Old Town Alexandria - I posted a thread on this awhile back. They have a HUGE selection of dresses, but I think that unless you're willing to drop over $5K on a dress, you're not gonna be treated very well. I told them that my budget was between $3K to $4K (WAY more than what I really want to spend) and I still got crappy service. My consultant was borderline rude, snapped at me, and barely cracked a smile and became amiable until she saw that I was thisclose to buying a dress. Good luck!

Luce1025 · September 2009

I'm actually surprised to report this but my mom and I went to David's Bridal in Springfield and Woodbridge and were totally satisfied! I've heard horror stories so I was nervous and not expecting much but I have to say that they have a lot to choose from, there wasn't much, if any, wait and the people consultants were friendly. We used the whole weekend (3 days) to look and I didn't buy until the last day. I went to David's along with most of the boutiques mentioned here but I was really disappointed with their selection and price. I'm not too much into designers or fabric so I didn't want to spend over $700 on something I'm going to wear for 8hrs or so. I couldn't tell a difference in the way the fabric felt or looked (on dress style I primarily looked at). I did have to special order the dress since they only carried it in Ivory and I want it in white but I have some time to wait and it'll be new and not one that has been tried on several times. I'll amend this if I end up having bad luck but so far ... I'd recommend either one of them. Also - try on dresses that you don't think you'd like. I tried on ones that I saw in catalogs and went with something I never thought I would. Happy dress hunting!!

jenncoyle05 · October 2009

I agree w/ the girls about hannelores in old town- if you dont want to spend more than $5k-$10k for a dress- theyll show you the clearences dresses and not even help. they were extremly rude and wouldnt even help me try dresses on- she sat in the chair...??? white swan was horrible. the sales woman barely helped and wasnt very nice about helping me try on dresses. i agree w/ the other girls- the owner was super pushy and rude and said it was a flat fee- but then when we started to get serious about buying a dress- the price kept going up...and they kept adding more things...for more money. ridiculous- she said i couldnt find the same dresses elsewhere..but i did- for $1k cheaper. I disagree with most ladies about Ellies. I Think it really depends on when/who you get when you get there. the owner is horrible and is overwheleming- she stresses me out when i go there, so i dont deal w/ her. EVER. My mom got her MOG dress there a yr ago and we went at nigh time when no one was there and we dealt w/ marie and i loved her- so i went back when i got engaged and had a perfect experience. she gave me a headpiece for a wedding gift and she gave me hundreds off my dress....way cheaper than white swan. theyll do deals for you and again, it dpnds on the day and who u get when you go. youll waste your time unless you have an apt. with marie.

Dress shops in Alexandria area?

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