Post # 1

Member
933 posts
Busy bee
I tried to find a thread on this, if there is any insight please help. I’ve been reading the dress boards and I agree somewhat with the people who say it’s unethical to try on a dress style in a store with no intention of buying that dress at that store. But if I’m going into this with the intent to prefer a used dress, how would I ever know what it looks like without buying it? I live in a very dense area and there are only a few decent used dresses near me. And it’s hugely inefficient (for me and the seller) to drive to someone’s house to try on their dress. So I’m confused about how this is supposed to work. Is the uncertainty and trouble just a hidden cost? Or is there a better way to do this?
Post # 3

Member
149 posts
Blushing bee
@LucyLaLa: I think you may just have to go to one BIG store and try on lots of dress shapes. There is really no other way to find out what suits you and what you like best. Cant see a way around it. Then you can look at just the styles you like secondhand.
Post # 4

Member
933 posts
Busy bee
@rushingangel: Thanks for your response. What you made me think of is that Filene’s basement had a bunch of wedding dresses out last year, and they just have a regular changing room. But I think the reason they were selling them was their going out of business sale. I might have to try somewhere else.
Post # 5

Member
753 posts
Busy bee
Post # 6

Member
1435 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: September 2019 - City, State
I don’t know about unethical. If the consultants work on commission, then it’s not really cool to take up their time. Ask the bridal shop if the consultants work on commission. If they do, then say that you want an appointment, but you know you are not purchasing until you find a style, so you’d prefer to come in, self-serve and not take up a consultant’s time.
Post # 7

Member
933 posts
Busy bee
@lovelyduckie: Thanks! It is not too late at all.
@honeybee1999: Good idea!
Quick update: I am going to go to the Brides Against Breast Cancer sale in November. I figure I can try on a decent number of dresses in three hours there and I don’t feel like I’m wasting anyone’s time. You have to pay to get in. I hope I find something and if I don’t I will at least know what I look like in many different styles.
Sidebar: I am hoping I will just get into a dress at the sale and it will be the perfect price and I will just love it… that might be a tiny bit unrealistic.
Post # 8

Member
350 posts
Helper bee
I was pretty sure I was going to make my own dress but I still went and tried on dresses to see what I really wanted. I went to 5 bridal salons and out of the 5 only 1 actually had a consultant just for me where she put in time to help me out (but my friends still got me in and out of the dresses) so I don’t feel guilty at all.