The Dress

Let me see-- My dress is a $3,000 genuine pronovias gown with gorgeous lace, silk, and beautiful details. It fits me like a glove. It has individual buttons up the back, a bow, and train. It looks brand-spankin-new. Oh, and it only cost me $250. Jealous, yet?

How did i get this deal?

The Story:

My sister had a job interview at UVA hospital [University of VA] for a nursing position and she needed a copilot for the trip. The hospital was paying for a hotel room (complete with a pool and warm cookies waiting in your room) for us, so, really, how could i possibly pass this up? But, admittedly, i did have some alterior motives. A friend of mind (Kirsten) bought her dress at this small boutique in Lynchburg, VA. Its a part of the YWCA (as in the YMCA-- but for women http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=mkI1L6MPJvE&b=919555) and what they do is get sample dresses, or slightly damaged dresses, or slightly used dresses from designers and sell them for much less. and bonus the money goes to abused women and children. Now, sorry folks- you're going to have to wait to see my dress until the big day. But i can show you a picture of Kirsten's exquisite gown and tell you that she paid under $200 for it.

Now, Kirsten's dress had a broken zipper (which was easily fixed). But i cant find a single issue with my dress.

so, moral of the story is- if your in VA: check out this place!!! but, if you cant make it there, research was other used dress shops are in your area. second hand stores, thrift shops, and ebay are all amazing resources!! You never know what you will find.

Things to consider:

alterations are EXPENSIVE! I am a size 1-3 in most clothing and most of the dresses i found myself trying on at the YWCA were sizes 6-8. The alterations on those dresses would have been so expensive-- I mind as well've bought a brand new dress. Make sure it fits! (confession: my dress will have to be hemmed. im only 5'2'')

DAILY BALANCE:

$250

CURRENT TOTAL BALANCE:

$250

(amount left= $2750)