Sample Wedding Dresses: The Ultimate Guide
If you're wondering, what is a sample wedding dress? Or maybe you've heard a different term and are asking, what's an off-the-rack wedding dress? Our guide has all the answers for you, so you can be prepared for wedding dress shopping and sample sales.
Off-The-Rack Wedding Dresses
Also known as a "sample wedding dress," off-the-rack wedding dresses are gowns available for purchase and immediate take-home. Unlike made-to-order wedding dresses, which can take months to arrive, these dresses are available in-store.
In made-to-order stores, these gowns have often been discontinued by the designer or boutique, and subsequently made available to be purchased right off the rack. Sample dresses have been tried on by brides in-store, but have never been altered or worn to a wedding.
Who Needs an Off-The-Rack Wedding Dress?
Brides who benefit from off-the-rack wedding dresses typically fall into two categories. First, those who've budgeted for less than a made-to-order dress. Second, brides who are on a tight timeline and need a dress immediately. Sometimes, brides fall into both categories. Off-the-rack options provide an efficient and budget-friendly solution for both scenarios.
Why Else Might a Bride Want an Off-The-Rack Wedding Dress?
Sustainability is a compelling reason to choose an off-the-rack wedding dress. By purchasing a gown that has already been made, brides are reducing the demand for new production, which in turn minimizes waste. A made-to-order dress serves a purpose as a "floor model" for brides to order new. That dress eventually becomes a sample at which point buying it off the rack contributes to a more eco-friendly approach to wedding attire.
What is a sample sale?
A wedding dress sample sale can mean different things to different boutiques. Sometimes it simply refers to the existence of off-the-rack dresses, which almost always are already discounted due to the fact they've been tried on by brides.
Other times, which are more exciting, "sample sale" refers to when these already-discounted off the rack dresses go on further sale for a limited time. At The White Flower, we typically hold sample sales twice a year and announce them on our events page and Instagram.
Our Off-The-Rack Sample Dresses
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Evleen Plus Size
Vendor:Evleen Plus SizeJustin Alexander Signature- Regular price
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$2,000 - Regular price
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$3,175 - Sale price
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$2,000
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Thelma Plus Size
Vendor:Thelma Plus SizeKelly Faetanini- Regular price
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$2,500 - Regular price
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$3,700 - Sale price
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$2,500
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Cumberland
Vendor:CumberlandJustin Alexander Signature- Regular price
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$2,100 - Regular price
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$3,300 - Sale price
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$2,100
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1303 with Overskirt
Vendor:1303 with OverskirtMartina Liana- Regular price
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$2,400 - Regular price
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$3,500 - Sale price
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$2,400
Do Boutiques Have a Variety of Sizes of Sample Dresses?
Size availability can vary depending on the store. Boutiques that primarily focus on made-to-order dresses, such as The White Flower, might have a limited selection of off-the-rack sizes. For example, The White Flower primarily stocks straight size inventory pieces in bridal sizes 10 and 12, with mid and plus sizes usually in 16, 18, and 20.
Stores dedicated entirely to off-the-rack, or consignment stores selling previously worn dresses, may offer a broader range of sizes.
Where to Find Off-the-Rack Wedding Dresses in San Diego
At The White Flower Bridal Boutique, we offer a wide selection of off-the-rack wedding dresses. Brides can also purchase our sample wedding dresses online if they are not local to San Diego.
Our off-the-rack wedding dresses are in excellent condition and range from $1,300 to $3,500, with most priced between $2,000 and $2,300. We primarily carry bridal sizes 10 and 12, which correspond to street sizes 6-8. These dresses can typically be altered to fit brides with a street size of 4, 6, or 8.
Additionally, we have a limited selection of mid and plus size dresses in bridal sizes 16, 18, and 20, corresponding to street sizes 12-16.