Explain a 'Trunk Show' to me please

[SRUAlmn]

Hi! I'm new to the whole wedding scene and I've heard of trunk shows, but I don't really know how they work. I always picture that episode of Friends where Monica takes Phoebe and Rachel and they have whistles and everyone is pushing and fighting to get 'THE' dress! There is a trunk show in June for one of my favorite designers so any help would be great.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[allisonswonderland]

A trunk show depending on the designer will either be where the company ships much or all of their line to a store for a week or weekend. Some comapnies also send a sales rep as well. The one I went to over the weekend, they had the sales rep, which had pros and cons as he had very definate ideas as to how this gowns should look and what should go with them. I did not always agree, but just smiled and then I bought a tiara someplace else and will go back and get the viel with the scattered rhinestones, eventhough he did not like it!

 

[SRUAlmn]

So do they bring samples that are at discounted prices, do they bring one of each style and only one size for each, how does it work? If someone was say, a size 6, would there only be 2 out of 200 gowns that would be a size 6? I'm sorry if I sound like an idiot, I've just never been to one before. I was also worried about the high pressure sales for accessories. I know it's bad enough at some general retail places, so I assumed a designer would be even worse!

 

[allisonswonderland]

They will order your gown and I do not think they will be discounted at all. They typically bring their samples that are used at market so they will likely be whatever the sample size is, typically a 10. This is just basically so you may preview the line in person. If you have not tried on gowns before they do run 1-2 sizes smaller than street clothes and not all companies send a rep with the samples. I would not think there would be high pressure sales, just tell them you are looking for a gown and accessories will be the next thing on your list. Or do what I did...smile and then do what you want!

 

[SRUAlmn]

So then you don't try them on? If they only bring sample sizes (a 10) and you don't wear a 10, then you wouldn't be able to try them on to see if you like it on you. Therefore, how could you have them order it for you if you weren't sure? Am I sounding like an idiot, or do other people not understand this either? I've been sick, pardon my spaciness

 

[allisonswonderland]

No that is not a problem - typically bridal shops only carry a particular gown in one size only, so yes you would still try them on, but the sales person you are working with could hold it to you so you could get an idea of how the gown will look on you. Small businesses can not afford to have a lot of inventory in one gown, Davids bridal may be different, I have never been there. I got my gown and all of the dresses were size 10, they do that so more can try on that gown, even if you are a 12-14 you could see how the dress would look on you in a size 10. The problem comes with the larger sizes. AFter I bought my gown, I felt so bad for this gril who had an appointment after me, she was probably a 16 in street clothes and all the gowns they had we in a 10, so I have no clue what she was even able to try. Hope that helped you.

 

[JandJ]

I went to a bridal expo in Orlando last summer and they had a Demetrios trunk show on site. They had several gowns and you could try them on and you could buy the sample at a major discount. It was a good savings if someone saw one they loved and it fit or would fit with slight alterations.

As for sizing, at the bridal salon I went to they had different dresses in different sizes. For gowns that were too big my consultant used large clips in the back to hold it and she said if someone tried on one that was too small they have like "bungie cords" to hold them closed. The way she put me in the sample gowns I could totally see how it would look in my size. But like allisonswonderland said, I don't know how they do it at David's.

Happy Shopping

 

[cryssi]

I happened upon my gown at an Essense of Australia trunk show. They had almost their whole line there. There was a rep there who helped me, and also the designer! I had previously never heard of Essense, but they had THE perfect gown for me. They were offering a 15% discount if you ordered your gown at the trunk show. I actually ordered a week after the trunk show b/c I wanted to show my mom, but the bridal shop still honored the 15% since I said I was going to order when I came back. Actually, I wasn't totally sold on the bodice I had tried on at the show, but after looking at the website, I had the bridal shop order the sample of bodice I wanted to try, and when I went back with my mom to try it on, we ordered right then and there.

So to make a long story short - trunk shows are good and you should check them out if you get a chance!

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

The episode of Friends that you are talking about shows "Running of the Brides" -- that's a semi-annual event (or maybe annual?) in New York where designers offer some of their gowns from the season at a substantial discount. A friend of mine went one year and said it was awesome, but also quite a zoo!

Trunk shows can be great! A few different designers have come through our area with the shows before, for dresses and for accessories. I first saw the gown I chose at a Mon Cheri trunk show, and that's also where we first saw all the Princess Bride Tiaras. Most of the shops here only have size 10, and sometimes size 16 for larger dresses, available for fitting, and like several have said before, the dresses are clipped in tightly so you can get an idea of how it would look on you. ~Ev

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thanks! Can you tell I haven't even been dress shopping yet by my questions It does seem so dumb, though. If you are way smaller or way bigger than a 10 how in the world will you get a true indication of how the dress will look? It seems like such a big purchase that places should be able to accommodate all sizes. Call me crazy

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Thanks! Can you tell I haven't even been dress shopping yet by my questions It does seem so dumb, though. If you are way smaller or way bigger than a 10 how in the world will you get a true indication of how the dress will look? It seems like such a big purchase that places should be able to accommodate all sizes. Call me crazy

Actually, that's exactly why they canNOT have all the dresses available in every size for you to try on. Could you imagine the $$$ the salon would have to invest in inventory?!?! The space requirement, the insurance, the fact that the lines change each season... having to have every size in the store would be financially out of reach for most smaller bridal salons, and would probably be cost prohibitive for some of the bigger stores too. Then, after each season, the salons would have to pray that at least one bride in each size wanted to buy the sample so they could stock for the next season. That would just be too expensive for most local salons to stay in business. With so many online vendors getting so much of the business by undercutting price (since they have NO overhead to keep the samples in any size in stock), I would think having to keep every size available would motivate many local salons to simply close their doors altogether. ~Ev

 

[allisonswonderland]

Yes - it would be impossible to have all sizes and stay in business. That was the number one complaint at the shop for which I worked, but just consider the larger girls who were not able to fit in it - Honestly you can get the idea of what it will look like, plus if you are a size 6 in regular clothes there is a good chance that a bridal 10 will not be that much too big on you as the run 1-2 sizes smaller than your regular clothes depending on where you carry your weight. Good luck- give it a try and you will see what we mean. A lot of store try to carry a selection in smaller sizes, but that limits sales as fewer could actually try it on.

 

[cryssi]

they put either clips or extenders on you if the sample doesn't fit so you get an idea of what it will look like. I didn't have to use either b/c I fit the samples (lucky me, LOL) they were just too long. I did find that I liked the dresses that fit me well more than those that didn't, which makes me wonder if I would have ever found a dress if I were smaller or bigger...

Now if you go to David's or Alfred Angelo, they have all sizes, so you'd definitely be able to try on your size...

 

[SRUAlmn]

Oh, I totally understand them not being able to have every size, but only a 10? It just seems like it's going to be so embarrassing for me to go and I don't want to now. I'm not a super small or super huge girl, but I don't think a 10 will fit me. I will be too embarrassed if they have to put extenders in the dress for it to fit me, plus, I am pretty tall. Will length be an issue too?

 

[allisonswonderland]

You will be fine- just call around to stores near you. The shop that I worked at, we always tried to buy a range of sizes with the bulk being 10, 12, 14. The place that I purchased my gown only had 10s period, the one I bought was a little tight thru my waist. Don't be embarrassed, just call and ask the size range they carry in stock. Length may be an issue depending. I am almost 5 9 and I wear a low heel and I would not need a hem, how tall are you? A lot of companies will allow you to add extra length to their gowns, so I would check. It will be fine.

 

[SRUAlmn]

You will be fine- just call around to stores near you. The shop that I worked at, we always tried to buy a range of sizes with the bulk being 10, 12, 14. The place that I purchased my gown only had 10s period, the one I bought was a little tight thru my waist. Don't be embarrassed, just call and ask the size range they carry in stock. Length may be an issue depending. I am almost 5 9 and I wear a low heel and I would not need a hem, how tall are you? A lot of companies will allow you to add extra length to their gowns, so I would check. It will be fine.

I'm the same height as you so that makes me feel better Thanks. I wouldn't want to wear a high heel anyway, I can't walk in them. I guess it's from all those years of having boyfriends who were shorter than me

 

[cryssi]

You will be fine- just call around to stores near you. The shop that I worked at, we always tried to buy a range of sizes with the bulk being 10, 12, 14.

you're right! also, sizing is different with each designer. I tried on an 8, 10, 12, 14 (all different designers) - all of which more or less fit, although the 14 in question was a little snug, and the size I actually ordered was an 8...

 

[allisonswonderland]

I am right there with ya sister with short men. Some companies do run longer than others but I am wearing a kitten heel. My DF is 5 11 and that is not the problem rather after a week stomping all over Disney my feet will hurt and though my momma always told me you have to suffer for beauty....well forget it!

 

[littleladykaty]

First let me say, DEFINATELY go to a trunk show, especially if it is for a designer that you like!!! I got my gown a trunk show!!! I was in a panic b/c I couldn't find the dress that I wanted in NJ and the only way I could get it was if I ordered it and paid for it and I didn't want to do that. I emailed a salon in Oregon and asked about the dress and she said the same thing...if I order it, it's yours. She then said that she was actually having a trunk show of that designer and that she would send for that gown and if I didn't like then she could send it back with no harm to anyone. All the gowns are samples and all the gowns were way too big for me, but the salon owner just clipped them in the back to make them fit.

One of the great things about trunk shows is that they often have dresses from future lines that aren't even out yet. AND the actual designer of my dress was there!! I ended up getting a dress from the Fall 2006 line and we couldn't even take pics until after I bought it b/c they don't want the pics to get out before the line is introduced. If you make an appointment at a bridal salon you will get one on one attention and you won't have to deal with fighting over dresses etc. Also if you buy that day from a trunk show you usually get a discount, which was NICE...I still can't believe how much wedding gowns cost!


My dress buying experience was fantastic. The dress I had initially wanted turned out to be way too poofy and the one I tried on only b/c my little sis wanted me too turned out to be the one! I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my sweeties face and I started crying!! The designer started crying and two women who were there for another bride cried too!!! It was great!

okay, long winded...sorry!!

good luck!!!