Um, I get that weddings are can be expensive. I get that bridesmaids, more so than groomsmen, take on a rather large financial responsibility in order to support their friend as she gets married.
I also get that everyone loves J.Crew bridesmaid and wedding dresses. Myself included, even though I've never been inside a J.Crew.
And everyone who loves the J.Crew dresses likes to point out that they're so cheap!
Um ... that is where I disagree. Most of the bridesmaid dresses seem to be around $300. Yes, they have sales, but colours and/or sizes may be limited. As for the bridal gowns, with a few exceptions around $300 and a few exceptions around $3000, prices tend to be $1500-$2000.
Oh, and J.Crew isn't in Canada, so you have to bribe a friend in the States (if you have one) to accept the dresses at her place, then send them on to you.
So, while I respect that $300 for a bridesmaid may be cheap for you, and I'll admit it's not bad, except that it's in American dollars. Which right now means it's closer to $350-375.
Here's what I'd like for bridesmaids' dresses, if money was not an object and I could afford to buy the girls their dresses:
I also get that everyone loves J.Crew bridesmaid and wedding dresses. Myself included, even though I've never been inside a J.Crew.
And everyone who loves the J.Crew dresses likes to point out that they're so cheap!
Um ... that is where I disagree. Most of the bridesmaid dresses seem to be around $300. Yes, they have sales, but colours and/or sizes may be limited. As for the bridal gowns, with a few exceptions around $300 and a few exceptions around $3000, prices tend to be $1500-$2000.
Oh, and J.Crew isn't in Canada, so you have to bribe a friend in the States (if you have one) to accept the dresses at her place, then send them on to you.
So, while I respect that $300 for a bridesmaid may be cheap for you, and I'll admit it's not bad, except that it's in American dollars. Which right now means it's closer to $350-375.
Here's what I'd like for bridesmaids' dresses, if money was not an object and I could afford to buy the girls their dresses:
At some point in time, I saw these dresses in a floor length version, which I liked even more, but that's not available on the website right now. These "tea length" dresses are $300 each.
There's also this dress by the Dessy group that I like too:
There's also this dress by the Dessy group that I like too:
On the web it appears to be anywhere from $275-350 (some of those prices were listed in American dollars, some in Canadian dollars). It can probably be found for a bit less.
However, I wanted to find dresses that were around $200. The dresses I chose are only slightly more than that. But I do love those J.Crew dresses! Swoon! :)
However, I wanted to find dresses that were around $200. The dresses I chose are only slightly more than that. But I do love those J.Crew dresses! Swoon! :)
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9 comments:
I couldn't agree more, I think the J Crew dresses are pretty but way over-priced!
It is difficult, esp when you're asking other people to buy the dresses. I still find it funny that that's the case as in the UK I think it's normally the bride buying the dresses for the bridesmaids but then at least you are a lovely bride and take into consideration others budgets!
I am a bit amazed at how much dresses cost that people rave about as being amazing and affordable.
I spent less than $300 for my dress and it still seemed a bit pricey for my tastes.
I agree. It seems that the extra cost is just for the label. I am sure they are high quality but come on!
... London Bride Marie - brides buy their bridesmaids' dresses for them? Wow, that is very different than here!
I agree with you 1000%. Are the dresses wearable after the fact and totally cute? Absolutely, but my idea of budget-friendly is not $250+. But that's just me.
I'm also with you, I think J Crew dresses are way expensive. In fact, I think most bridesmaid dresses are too expensive. :( I'm also really glad we're getting married in the US and not the UK (and that all my BM's are from the US), because I don't know where I'd squeeze almost $1,000 for BM dresses and shoes from....
I am in the process of trying to find chic dresses for about $130 per dress. I am paying for my bridesmaids dresses myself, and I can't afford to fork out $250 per dress. J. Crew dresses are nice, but I won't be paying $300 for a sundress. They are lovely, but some of them (in my opinion) are no different than a beautiful sundress. It is all about presentation. When I look at a J.Crew catalog or go to jcrew online, I want everything in it because it all looks so glorious. But, honestly, when you go to the J.Crew store - it's just fabric and pretty colors. Wow, it sounds like I am really bitter towards J.Crew. I'm not, I like their stuff. But often it isn't worth the prices.
Great post, by the way. Often no one recognizes the fact that $300+ is A LOT for bridesmaids dresses. And I think many are kinda scared to criticize J.Crew! :)
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