WHAT IS AN OFF-THE-RACK WEDDING DRESS APPOINTMENT?

an off-the-rack wedding dress appointment is ideal for brides who want to shop designer bridal collections at an affordable price point. other factors such as wedding timeline, alterations timeline, and instant gratification during wedding dress shopping can make an off-the-rack wedding dress appointment an appealing option. in this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about off-the-rack wedding dress appointments.

what does buying an off-the-rack wedding dress mean?

wondering what it means to buy an off-the-rack wedding dress? an off-the-rack wedding dress is a gown that is available for immediate purchase. traditionally, you are not able to purchase the dresses you are trying on at a bridal shop and need to place an order for a custom-made dress when you say yes.

unlike the waiting game of ordering a wedding dress, purchasing an off-the-rack dress means you are able to take home your wedding dress the exact same day. this is one reason that brides with a shorter timeline often seek out off-the-rack wedding gowns!

why are off-the-rack wedding dresses discounted?

while there are some exceptions, off-the-rack wedding dresses are typically more budget-friendly than custom-made options. bridal shops often discount off-the-rack gowns due to their condition and the status of the particular dress style.

the condition of an off-the-rack wedding dress

since off-the-rack wedding dresses have been tried on in shop, wear and tear is to be expected. brides shopping off-the-rack dresses can find everything from gowns in almost perfect condition to gowns that have minor imperfections such as missing beading, loose buttons, snags, etc.

at a&bé bridal shop, we take pride in our inventory. our off-the-rack collection will include imperfections, but rest assured your expert bridal stylists will guide you through what the process of buying an off-the-rack wedding dress will look like and will be able to offer suggestions about how certain flaws can be adjusted in alterations!

the status of an off-the-rack dress style

another factor that dictates the discount on an off-the-rack wedding dress is the style’s status. bridal designers do have the ability to stop producing dress styles. a wedding dress is usually discontinued when it has been around for several seasons or when the mill runs out of fabric to make the gown.

when a wedding dress is discontinued, bridal shops are no longer able to sell the gown brand new. many boutiques will move that particular dress to their off-the-rack collection when the style has been discontinued and make room for new inventory! this also makes off-the-rack dresses precious, as some brides seek them out when they realize their dream dress style is no longer going to be available to purchase new.

how to prepare for an off-the-rack appointment?

browse our off-the-rack wedding gowns

one of the best ways to prepare for your off-the-rack appointment is to view your individual store’s ‘off-the-rack wedding gowns’ pinterest board. our inventory is always changing, but this board will give you a good idea of what our off-the-rack bridal collection looks like!

understand bridal sizing and off-the-rack sizes

since off-the-rack dresses are wedding dresses that were bought for the shop, the majority of off-the-rack dresses will fit like a street size 8-12 with a smaller selection up to size 20. we highly encourage you to inquire about your specific size range when booking an off-the-rack appointment. ALL a&bé bridal shop inventories vary by location and select shops have a strong selection of size-inclusive off-the-rack dresses!

as a general rule of thumb, most wedding dresses can be altered up to 2 dress sizes without compromising the integrity of the dress. this guideline is dependent on the gown’s silhouette and ideal fit.

another factor to be mindful of when shopping off-the-rack bridal samples is the length of the gown. if you are short to average in height, off-the-rack wedding dresses will be long, but a hem is usually an easy fix in alterations. for brides that are taller than average, there may be less off-the-rack gown options due to dresses being too short and not having the ability to add length.

be open-minded when exploring off-the-rack wedding dresses

many brides enjoy off-the-rack wedding dress shopping due to its element of surprise. trust that your bridal stylist understands your vision and try to be open-minded. remember, you’re allowed (and encouraged) to explore when you go wedding dress shopping!

be ready to commit if your find your dream off-the-rack wedding dress

off-the-rack wedding dresses are first come, first serve. there’s no guarantee that the dress you fall in love with one day will still be there the next. for the best bridal shopping experience and the least amount of stress, we encourage you to prepare yourself to commit to the right dress if you find the one!

ready to embark on your off-the-rack wedding dress adventure?

published january 2024