How to Get Your Dream Designer Gown for a Discount Part 1: Sample Gowns
Brides, have you heard people referring to sample gowns and not knowing what they are? If you are shopping on a budget and want a specific designer dress, then purchasing a sample gown will be perfect for you.
A sample gown is a wedding dress that has been tried on by brides in a bridal store but never actually purchased or altered. It is a sample of a certain style of gown that brides will order from in a color or size of their choosing. Each bridal store gets approximately one to two sample dresses of a style depending on the bridal brand. These dresses are kept in the store for inventory for brides to choose from and try on.
Unlike traditional wedding dresses where it takes 5-8 months to be ordered in a specific color, style, and size, brides can purchase samples gowns straight off the sales floor at the end of a season at a bridal store. Samples are so beneficial for the brides operating during a time crunch, having a short engagement, or have a tight budget so they can bypass the ordering stage. However, no customizations can be made from the dress designer before purchase, so you buy it as is. Some samples can have a bit of wear and tear including armpit stains, hem coming out, rips in side seams, or a damaged zipper. Fixing the damages and cleaning the dress is up to the bride to decide to fix before her wedding.
Fortunately, designers and bridal stores sell sample gowns up to 70% off the sticker tag price. The longer the dress has been in a sample sale, the lower the cost will go. Stores will usually lower the cost of samples for having damages from the try-on process. Brides can walk away with a literal ready-to-wear gown that same day without hurting the bank.
Samples gown purchases are typically final sale, so brides are not able to return, so make sure to be completely sure before purchasing. Sample usually come into stores as a size 8, so it is important to pay attention to the fit of the dress to see if it can realistically be altered. Certain samples can be too big or small on a bride, which makes it impossible for a seamstress to add more fabric or take away in the alteration process to fit the bride.
I recommend doing some bridal gown shopping beforehand before resorting to buying a sample gown. Find the styles that you like beforehand. Do your research on when designers are offering sales on their samples and if they are at any bridal boutiques local in your area, so you can make an appointment if needed. Plus, when you find ‘the one’ you can take it home with you that day!
Tip: there will be so many brides at a bridal store’s sample gown sale, so prepare yourselves for crowds, limited styles, and sizes. Every bride for themselves!