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Message |
    
justmelaura
Citizen
Username: Justmelaura
Post Number: 385
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 2:22 pm: | 
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A young woman who works for me is getting married soon. She lives on a very limited budget (she has 3 small children) and would like to walk down the aisle in a white gown. I am trying to help her find a used dress, either free or at a very low price. I have already posted on freecyle and will be hitting the thrift shops. If anyone has any leads or know of anyone parting with a size 22 - 26 gown please let me know.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks MOLers
laura
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Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 2683
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 2:27 pm: |
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ebay has a bunch of them. Of course you can't try them on...but if they are inexpensive enough (I saw one for $60) she can have it altered. |
justmelaura
Citizen
Username: Justmelaura
Post Number: 386
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 2:48 pm: |
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Thanks Wendy. She has been looking on Ebay. I'll keep you posted...
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greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6674
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 3:20 pm: |
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JML - a very good friend of mine, who was also quite ample, wanted to wear a wedding gown on her day. Same size range, actually. We went to David's Bridal to try some gowns on & get an idea. At the end of the day, they just were not all that flattering.
When you think about it, unless a woman is a twig, head to toe white pleats and a full skirt don't do much for anyone!
At any rate, I convinced her to go for a floor length cocktail dress. She was resistant, but found an ivory silk jacket and long, straight silk suit at Lord & Taylor on the sale rack. The jacket showed cleavage & had lace sleeves. She looked absolutely beautiful in it and she looked like she was wearing a custom designer gown.
I think the suit was around $200.
Maybe she will be open to something like that. |
Hamandeggs
Citizen
Username: Hamandeggs
Post Number: 175
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 4:13 pm: |
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Yes, I know a good place for this. Try the Junior League Thrift Shop in Summit. It's very small, but they seem to several wedding dresses almost all the time. |
taam
Citizen
Username: Taam
Post Number: 52
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 4:16 pm: |
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The Bridal Bldg in NYC is the place she should go. It's in the garment district & is only open to the public on Saturday mornings (don't remember the time.) I got my dress there & I know a few other women who also bought there's there. It's a bunch of wholesalers in a bldg. & there's a TON to choose from. I think it's on 7th & 37th street - or there abouts? |
justmelaura
Citizen
Username: Justmelaura
Post Number: 387
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 4:40 pm: |
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Greentree, that is exactly what she did - went to David's (I tried to discourage her). She came out in tears. She doesn't have any money to spend on a dress and they started out at about $500. We are going to try the 'alternate route', and hit some stores. I don't think a cocktail dress would work, but I know we can find an alternative type long dress in white.
Ham - I know the Junior league well. Also, have you ever been to the SAGE Thrift Shop on Morris Ave in Summit? It is wonderful also. We are going to hit those and the Salvation Army on 22 tomorrow.
Taam - thanks for the info. Unfortunately, the Bridal Building (been there many times) is out of her budget.
Thanks again all! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6681
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 4:46 pm: |
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JML - yeah, we went there just to get an idea of what would look good on her. I understand the tears because they had nothing that was remotely flattering for her body type. My friend was also very depressed; she looked like a white bedspread blew up on her.
If you are going to look for more formal white long skirts, you can always head for Lane Bryant or somewhere that caters to plus sizes that don't carry bridal gowns. If you can find a floor length, ivory or white satin cocktail dress, just try it on. You might be very surprised. Especially once she adds the jewelry, shoes and headdress. |
justmelaura
Citizen
Username: Justmelaura
Post Number: 388
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 4:48 pm: |
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Greentree, that is exactly what she did - went to David's (I tried to discourage her). She came out in tears. She doesn't have any money to spend on a dress and they started out at about $500. We are going to try the 'alternate route', and hit some stores. I don't think a cocktail dress would work, but I know we can find an alternative type long dress in white.
Ham - I know the Junior league well. Also, have you ever been to the SAGE Thrift Shop on Morris Ave in Summit? It is wonderful also. We are going to hit those and the Salvation Army on 22 tomorrow.
Taam - thanks for the info. Unfortunately, the Bridal Building (been there many times) is out of her budget.
Thanks again all! |
justmelaura
Citizen
Username: Justmelaura
Post Number: 389
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 4:50 pm: |
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oops! |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1222
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 5:03 pm: |
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A few ideas
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/shopping/guides/weddings/brides/features/2005/borrow ed2.htm
http://shopshop.com/Bridal_Gowns1.htm
http://store.yahoo.com/discountdressup/pageantgowns.html
http://store.fairytaleendeavorsbridals.com/pa2wedr.html
http://www.newyorkmetro.com/shopping/guides/weddings/brides/features/2005/borrow ed2.htm |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1312
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 6:32 pm: |
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Never having been exactly slim I was dreading the wedding gown search. I truly lucked out at RK Bridal (which was then down the street from me on the UWS but I think it's moved). I pulled a dress off the rack, tried it on, it fit beautifully (and was incredibly flattering!) but best of all it was a sample sale and it was considerably less than $500. This was almost 9 years ago but I would still give it a try. I did one of those gown preservation things otherwise I would offer it up (I also think my hubby might freak - he's more sentimental than I).
If she wants a wedding dress she should have it. Sorry but Lane Bryant won't have anything that will remotely suit. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2849
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 9:01 pm: |
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How much is there to spend Laura?
Found this pretty, simple dress for $149? Don't know about shipping though:
http://www.sydneyscloset.com/asp/product.asp?categoryid=50&catalogid=677 |
knak
Citizen
Username: Knak
Post Number: 133
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 9:57 pm: |
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One of the most reasonable thrift shops in the area is having a major sale this weekend. They usually have a fairly large stock of larger sizes, though you might want to call re: wedding dresses/ white formal wear in particular. Most of their dresses are in the $15-40 range.
Marlene's Boutique
(973) 243-0688
640 Eagle Rock Ave,West Orange
(just E. of Pleasant Valley Way) |
KRNL
Citizen
Username: Krnl
Post Number: 19
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 10:13 pm: |
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A heavy-set friend of mine got a beautiful wedding dress from JC Penny's at a reasonable price. Of course, this was several years ago.
Perhaps she could call them or check out their web-site. |
Mergele
Citizen
Username: Mergele
Post Number: 362
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 9:07 am: |
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Laura - please see my PL.
"Cats climb because being ruler of all you survey sucks when all you survey is ankles." -- Unknown
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Elaine Harris
Citizen
Username: Elaineharris
Post Number: 77
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 9:50 am: |
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The best kept secret is Maplewood Bridal on Springfield Avenue (near Burger King).
The owner is Allison Teixeira, and she is amazing!!! She could create a bridal gown that would fit perfectly. She is very reaonable, and she also has many gowns in stock. She gets them from unusal places, like Egypt, so they are lovely and unique, not the run of the mill. I have a friend who just spent a year looking at every bridal store in the world in preparation for her son's wedding, and she finally took my advice and went to Allison. She is thrilled with the product, and you will be, too. Let's support our local businesses whenever possible, but especially when we have the best possible service at our fingertips. |
Elaine Harris
Citizen
Username: Elaineharris
Post Number: 78
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 10:20 am: |
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Also, another suggestion, the bride could find a lacy or decorated bodice (blouse) in another store, like Marshalls or Daffy Dan's or Annie Sez, with or without sleeves, and Allison could make the skirt and/or sleeves from a suitable fabric. |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 354
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 11:17 am: |
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I had one made by an FIT student. It cost $250 for her to make it (sans material) and she used it for class credit. It came out very simple, elegant and EXACTLY the way I wanted it to. I made all the choices and didn't settle.
I went to a bunch of stores and had things like, "Oh, we don't fit women your size [I'm a size 16 - not 40]"
Macy's Woman has nice things, too.
Good Luck
M |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 492
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 1:31 pm: |
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My only suggestion, that i don't think has been mentioned yet, is to post something on the online bridal boards. The bigger bridal sites such as theknot.com, weddingchannel.com, liweddings.com, etc. all have local boards where either you or she could post the question, and recently married girls who still frequent the site may be willing to sell theirs, or at least give you other ideas.
I also wanted to point out the weirdness of bridal gown sizing. If you're a size 8, bridal shops will often make you order a size 14, because (a) gown manufacturers obviously like to make brides feel like crap, and (b) you're supposed to buy a gown to fit the largest of your bust/waist/hips, and take in the rest. So if your coworker is a size 22-26 in regular clothes, she may need something more like a 30 in bridal. If you haven't already, you may want to keep that in mind when you post on places like freecycle, etc. |
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