Tips & Tools for Dress Shopping

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Yes? No? Maybe?

It's dress time ya'll!! The next series of posts are all about dress shopping! This may sound a tad crazy but what else is new. I visited 9 bridal salons in Manhattan during the second to last week of August. Yep, 9 salons in 1 week. All for you dear reader. All. For. You. Okay, it was mostly for me. Stay tuned for reviews of the following salons: Amsale, Bridal Garden, Cymbeline, Designer Loft, Gabriella New York, Mark Ingram Bridal Atelier, Priscilla of Boston, Reem Acra and RK Bridal. Whew! Note that I didn't go to Kleinfeld's. Just not that interested after watching Say Yes to the Dress. Go fig! Prior to the reviews I thought I'd share some tips and tools of my experience.

Dress Shopping Tips

• It's a good idea to invest in some shape-wear for the occasion. At the very least some nude colored undie-wears and a strapless bra. You'll be prancing about in your skivvies in front of a complete stranger and possibly your entire entourage. Be prepared! At one salon I was topless in the dressing room with a consultant and my fam. Sigh. Perhaps even some liquid courage for those thusly inclined.

• Speaking of entourage. . .choose wisely. Consider who you wouldn't mind getting a peek at your unmentionables. I brought 3 people with me, all family. 

• Mind those numbers. Some might consider three people too much but no matter how many people you bring make sure they aren’t going to push their agenda over your agenda. In case you were wondering? Your agenda:  Look Fabulous & Feel Fabulous. Accept nothing less.

• Decide in advance how you will be evaluating the dresses. It doesn’t have to a be a crazy spreadsheet like this one but it helps if you plan on thinking it over later. A lot of places didn’t let us take pictures so figure out how to take notes. Pictures are great if you can take 'em though so do it snecretly if you must.

• Ummm. . . plan on thinking it over later. If you go in with that mindset you won't feel as pressured.

• Don’t feel like you have to buy that day. You don’t. The dresses get ordered anyway so there’s no rush. They aren’t going to run out. Unless it's a sample sale or the Bridal Garden.

• Try to get the names of the designer and the style # / name of the dress.

• Do some homework. If you really want to try on a particular dress, bring a picture or have it set up on your phone. Smartphones are so rad!

• Be open. Try on different styles. You never know. Seriously try it on even if it looks ugly on the hanger.

• You might not cry and that’s okay. Finding “the one” might not be a magical moment with violins and Disney birds singing its praise. It's okay, really.

• Relax and try to enjoy the experience. Have Fun!

Tools
Itinerary? Check. Maps and directions? Check. Rating sheets? Check. Pencils for note taking? Check.


Next up: Priscilla of Boston-Sample Sale