The Price is Right—or is it?

Nothing makes me happier than the arrival of warm weather and cheerful little critters. It also means we’re approaching prom, formal, and wedding seasons. So much goes into planning those events that some sage advice can be a great help in making the process go a little smoother. Today, I want to talk about setting and sticking to your budget. Not exciting, I know, but bear with me.

By the way, I work on men’s clothes, as well. It’s just that when it comes to formal wear, most of my clients are women. I have worked on many men’s and women’s suits, along with men’s clothes in general.

Before you shop for the outfit of your choice, set a price point. Dresses are available for every budget (some places give them away), and you don’t need to break the bank to get a great dress. I’ve worked on every type of wedding and formal gown, including dresses from Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Bridals by Lori (Say Yes to the Dress), Galina, Melissa Sweet, and many more. Average dress prices can range from $100 to $4,000 or more.

While you’re shopping for the dress, consider places you might find the dress of your dreams. Boutiques, specialty stores like David’s Bridal, Macy’s, etc. There are some places you may not think of at the jump, like Ross, Aeropostale, JCPenney, Dillard’s, and Belk for my southern belles. Check outlet stores, thrift, and vintage shops. I’ve seen amazing clothes from all.

Search online options. Read reviews and check sizing and return policies before you buy. (I once had a client who couldn’t decide what she liked and ordered 8 prom dresses. The return window was 7 days—she missed it and had to keep all of them.) Do yourself a favor and don’t buy anything from China. I’ve seen great results with Lulu’s, Birdy Grey, Azazie, and more. Lastly, be aware that during peak season, some dresses can take as long as 10 weeks to arrive.

Some might wrinkle their noses, but you’d be shocked by some of the deals I’ve seen come out of places like Goodwill. My favorite was from a woman who was getting ready for her second wedding. She didn’t want to make a fuss and ended up buying a dress at Goodwill for $50. I don’t think it had ever been worn. When I saw the dress, I grinned at her and said, “I know this dress. I’ve worked on this dress. It sells for $1000 retail.” Instead of spending well over $1000 on her wedding gown without alterations, the dress and simple hem only cost $150.00.

The key takeaway from the narrative is that the price of a dress, suit, etc., is insignificant. If the quality is poor or it doesn’t fit right, cost doesn’t matter. I’ve seen inexpensive dresses that look great. I’ve also seen very expensive dresses that are ill-fitting. One customer had paid too much for her dress and didn’t want to spend anything on alterations. Without alterations, the $2000 dress looked like a potato sack.

I digress. If you see a dress you like, try it on. Some have great hanger appeal but don’t deliver, while others might not seem special until you try them on. Take someone with you for a second opinion, send pics to your mom, or video chat with your bestie. Make sure you stay within your budget, saving money for alterations, if needed. Most dresses will need a hem, but additional alterations can perfect the fit.

Sizing can be an issue. Avoid buying something that is more than 2 sizes too big. Definitely do not buy something you know is too small, even if you convince yourself you’ll fit into it on the day. Wedding gowns sometimes have a bit of extra room if they need to be let out. There may be the option of adding a corset. Prom, bridesmaid, and other dresses almost never have extra fabric. If it’s too small, there’s nothing I can do to fix it.

When it comes to suits, the shoulders are key. A great deal means nothing if the shoulders don’t fit.

So, that’s it for today. Spend a little less than your max budget and set something aside for alterations. You’ll be glad you did. Next time around, I’ll talk about the ups and downs of sizing and fit.

Until then,

Pam the Stitch Witch