Deals worth the wait: Filene's Basement's Running of the Brides
Filed under: Bargains, Shopping
Some deals only come around once or twice a year, but offer savings that justify the wait. This post is part of our series on such 'don't miss' sales.
When I first heard about the Filene's Basement bridal sale as a college student in Boston, the event seemed a bit rowdy for a bunch of staid New Englanders. Typically, women grab several wedding dresses as soon as the doors open, then they barter to find a style and size that suits them. Within a minute the racks filled with more than a thousand dresses are stripped bare and so are some of the shoppers, changing into gowns right in the aisles! It sounds like something out of a Bridezilla reality TV show, but it's worth it because of the huge savings. The designer gowns are priced at $249, $499 and $699, and still have the old price tags on them, which show that the the original prices ranged from $900 to $9,000 plus.
Dubbed "the running of the brides," the semi-annual sale began in 1947 at Filene's flagship store in downtown crossing, the heart of Boston's shopping scene. The sale has since spread to many other locations, where it's held once a year. The flagship store is closed for renovation until 2009, but the last sale in February was held nearby at the Hynes Convention Center. The sale will be held at the Atlanta, GA store on March 21, in Paramus, NJ on March 28 and in Tyson's Corner, VA on April 4.
If you plan to go, check at About.com's top ten tips for finding a wedding dress at the sale.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-20-2008 @ 8:06AM
Robert Alexander said...
Gowns are worth precisely what they sell for not one dollar more or one dollar less. The headline is misleading these gowns are not worth more that is why they are on sale. The store can not sell them to anyone but suckers at the higher list prices. It is the same all over for retail prices. Whether clothing, tools, cars, furniture or what have you. Stores treat us like idiots because we act like idiots when it comes to sales. If there is not a sale, just ask for one, or wait. Threaten to take your business elsewhere in your most polite voice. It is interesting how much flexibility stores have in pricing, if they are treated with respect and intelligence.
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4-30-2008 @ 5:42PM
mAcKattacK said...
Robert, unless you are a cross-dresser who plans on getting married in a gown you really have no say in the matter. Just as men should not have a say in abortion b/c they have no uterus, since you most likely will never wear a wedding gown, your opinion means zip.
Having said that, it is a given retailers mark up anything and everything. However, these are real designer dresses, most of which were discontinued, or used for advertising/ display purposes. So other than this crazed event there is no way on earth that the average girl can get a Designer Wedding Gown for those prices!
Plus worth is not the same as cost. Clearly it does not cost $100k or millions in materials & time to design & make a haute couture custom gown, but a whole lot a people think it is worth that much. Also, if you get a lace accented satin dress, or even a chenile dress with intricate beading and pay $250 for it, then you most def got that dress for cost! Or less when you include materials, labor, and shipping costs!
Quit trying to burst ppl's bubbles!
LONG LIVE THE RUNNING OF THE BRIDES!!!
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5-24-2008 @ 1:03PM
crfqueen said...
Well worth the deal.
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5-24-2008 @ 1:03PM
crfqueen said...
My daughter bought her gown at Filenes Running of the brides. My husband was involved and his video wound up on You Tube, all over the country, CNN, local stations and on Jimmy Kimmel Live. It was great fun! She will wear her dress May 17. Great event! Would do it all over again.
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