Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

butterfly91804 Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:13 AM

Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

Hi Everyone,

I just made an appointment to go dress shopping for next week. Since this is my first appointment, I have no idea what to expect. Can any of you experienced soon to be brides offer any advice on:
- what to bring
- questions to ask
- what to expect

Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

kathy2176 Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:15 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

I'm glad you asked!! I am going for my first time Saturday and was wondering the same thing!

aliciahelene Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:17 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

I borught pictures of gowns I thought I liked, I borught my sister who is brutally honest..she brought pen and paper to take notes on each dress we liked , because once you try on so many..they all look the same. That was pretty much it. We took breaks..left and got soemthing to eat..cleared my mind..and then tried more on. Its fun though!! You are going to have a GREAT tim. Ask about disocounts if you buy the dress, do you get a discount on veils, shoes, etc.

Carey Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:18 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

I suggest bringing a strapless bra.
I dont think there are any standard questions to ask since you are just looking. Just go and have fun.
Try on everything. Dont limit your self to what looked good in a magazine. It may not look good on you. Sometimes, the worst things on a hanger are the best things on your body.
Oh, Bring something to put your hair up with if you have long hair, and a brush for after they tangle all those tiars in your hair. Just my experience.
Good Luck!!

jvs77 Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:24 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

A few points of advice:

- Definitely bring some pictures of dresses that you like for the salesperson to get an idea of your style.

- Try on all kinds of different styles!! 'The dress' may end up being something that you never would have tried on.

- I was told that as you're trying on dresses, keep your top choice in mind, this way, you can compare future dresses to it, without getting confused.

- Have fun!!!

babybride Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:30 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

I brought pictures of gowns I liked from magazines. Although funny enough, I hated all those styles when I actually tried them on. I would say have an open mind and try everything on. At least at first so you can see what works best with your body type. All the stores I went to had bras and shoes for you. But I brought my own shoes just because I know I will be wearing high heels and wanted to see the look with that. Describe for the salespeople what you are looking for and what type of impression you want to create. They should be able to help and bring out dresses. I brought a hair clip to see what the dresses look like with my hair up and down. That's really about it. We stopped for lunch in between but maybe a bottle of water is good to bring along too. Ask if there is going to be a trunk show or some type of discount in the near future. The gown I liked was part of a trunk show the following week so I went back then and got I think 10 or 15% off. Good Luck! And enjoy it. It was so much fun!! I went with my mom at first and the first dress I put on she was hysterical crying. I thought someone couldn't cry anymore until I found 'my dress' and my mom started going nuts!!!

smooch Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:32 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

Yup, definitely strapless bra, ideas of what you have in mind, ideas of something you definitely DON'T want. See if you can bring a digital camera too, sometimes they let you, sometimes they don't.

kelly6273 Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:33 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

Try on all different styles...you might be surprised. I ended up getting the complete opposite of what I thought I wanted.

Bring a bottle of water.

Be patient and don't get frustrated if you don't find the dress of your dreams the first day out. Sometimes these things take time!

HAVE FUN and GOOD LUCK!!!

kelly6273 Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:34 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

OH....And don't bring too many people with you. Sometimes too many opinions are not good!

dcbride Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:38 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

definitely don't bring your fmil- just kidding- mine has no taste so she was beyond useless

nylisa Posted: Aug 28, 2003 10:44 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

When I went dress shopping, I brought pictures of dresses that I liked, my mom and sister came with me and wore a strapless bra. I tried on the dresses that I liked and then I tried on dresses that the owner recommended to me even though I thought I would not like them. Actually, one of the dresses she picked out is the dress that I ordered.

Pickle Posted: Aug 28, 2003 11:10 AM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

bring a camera/digital (if u have one). you never know if the shop will let you take pictures (or you can sneak them in the dressing room shhhh!). At least a notepad, as mentioned before, so you can look the dresses you like online & look at it later.

I just went a couple of weeks ago and am dying to see the pics my MOH took, openly & covertly lol!

And shoes, if you have em, that are comparable to what you want to eventually get for the big day. Not necessary (some places to loan you some), but usually helpful!!

Have fun - good luck!
Oh and breaks are important if you can. I second that advice!

Nora101004 Posted: Aug 28, 2003 12:58 PM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

TRY TO BRING A CAMERA. DON'T ASK, JUST SHOOT. IF THEY ARE SO INSECURE ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT, I WOULDN'T WANT TO BUY FROM THEM ANYWAY. Make sure your sis writes down style numers and manufact, also some details about the dress and why you liked it. I heard after the fact that some places can reduce the price. Also, bring a pair of your heals. They have ones to use, but everyone else used them too!

Good luck and have fun.

Xelindrya Posted: Aug 28, 2003 01:09 PM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

Hind sight is 20/20
I'd say the following

- bring a camera
- strapless bra
- if you don't have pictures of a dress, work off one thing you might want and build on it (I had to)
- try it on, even if you don't like it on the hanger.
- ask about if they cap alterations No cap can be COSTLY later.
- ask if they will honor a competors quote
- DEFINATELY don't be shocked if you don't find the 'one' at the first try, but don't be guilty if you do!
- relax.. you have time.. don't let them push you into to buying it now (it will be discontinued..blah)
- leave your modesty at home.. you may need help zipping up or pulling up, it's ok. Ask for help.

Personally..I flew solo.. I wanted to be frank with the lady helping me.. and I know me. I really learned a lot about what I like and don't like.. without wondering what others think. I just wanted to feel like a spectacular princess... royal and wonderous in my gown. Could care less if aunt peg thinks it doesn't flatter me. So it's up to you to take people or not. I didn't. If you do.. don't take too many... it gets so confusing..

neen Posted: Aug 28, 2003 02:41 PM

Re: Dress Shopping Etiquette - Please Help!!

Hi was in the dark when I went for the first time. Here is what I suggest:
(1) Do not wear a thong unless you feel secure enought for the lady helping you see it
(2) Strapless bra-if you do not have one, do not waste your money and buy one-the store will have one for you;
(3) Ask for the name of the designer and style number if they allow-if not try and sneak a peek.
(4) Bargain, bargain, bargain. I advise not to pay what the tag says, you can always get them to come down with a competitors price or even just what you expect to pay. What is the worse they can say-no???
Good Luck