A Fine Brown Dust

You are coming to a store to try on possibly one of the most expensive garments you will ever purchase. The dresses you try on are samples, meaning they are the property of someone else. So why, oh why, would you attempt to don this expensive, white gown when you are covered head to toe in BODY BRONZER? Seriously folks, I can't tell you how many hours I have spent in the back room trying to get brown smudges out of the inside of a gown.

But you can't see the inside of the dress, so what does it matter?

You might not be able to see it the offending marks from the outside, but a dress that is damaged inside or out loses its value. Most stores do sell their samples right off the floor in cases of close weddings, or if a dress is not selling well, sometimes the store will offer the bride a deal for taking the sample if she wants it. The goal is to keep the gowns as pristine as possible so that the shops can get a good price for their sample, helping every bride by allowing the store to recoup some of their high expenses and therefore enabling the store to keep their prices low.

Some stores around the country have taken drastic measures to ensure care in the handling of their garments. Many stores require a professional assist you in and out of the gowns to protect against broken zippers and ripped seams as a result of dresses forced over busts and hips too large for the size. Other stores require all visitors to remove footwear at the door during the snowy or rainy seasons to prevent puddling on the salon floor that can be damaging to hems and trains. The newest trend is surgical masks offered to brides who show up for an appointment heavily made-up so that difficult-to-remove lipstick stains will not mar their valueable inventory.

If you come across any of these measures, please note that these are signs of a store that cares about the quality and condition of their dresses. It may be an inconvenience, but it is the best bridal salons that are willing to ask for a little consideration in order to offer you a premium quality at the lowest possible price.

So if you wear a body bronzer to try on wedding gowns, do not be surprised if you are either turned away and politely asked to reschedule your appointment, or if you are at a self-service store and a passing consultant notes that you have damaged a gown by wearing it, you are asked to either purchase the dress or pay for its professional cleaning.