We love wedding gowns. We love interacting with brides. We’ve just never answered questions for more than five hundred of them at one time before!
For the uninitiated, here’s the basic premise: once a year, each Filene’s Basement location holds a massive bridal event. Overstock gowns that might have originally sold from $900 to $9,000 are marked down to either $249, $499 or $699. Filene’s Basement doesn’t ordinarily sell gowns. Thousands of brides form a line wrapping around the block before dawn, and when the doors are open, the scene turns to no-holds-barred insanity.
Have a look at this video on YouTube to get an idea of the bedlam we’re in for!
What’s really cool is that many of these gowns are prototypes that never made it into production… which means there’s a good chance Filene’s brides are bringing home truly one-of-a-kind gowns.
Of course, the event isn’t just about saving money. Brides come from all across the country for the excitement, camaraderie and slight hint of danger in the air.
Naturally, we couldn’t resist the chance to be on hand. This February 5th, Meurice is running with the brides at Filene’s Basement in Union Square – just around the corner from our downtown store on University Place. The whole team will be there (in white Clothes Doctor labcoats!) offering Meurice’s unique reconstructive surgery.
Filene’s estimates there will be more than 2,500 gowns at the once-a-year bridal special, but inevitably some brides will be disappointed to see that the gown of their dreams isn’t in their size, lacks a bit of pizzazz or may simply be a bit shopworn.
We’re happy to help! We’ll offer our expert advice on alterations, cleaning, even adding trimming or merging gowns. With Filene’s rock bottom prices, it makes sense for many brides to let us transform gowns which might not be 100% perfect for a particular bride.
In the meantime, we’ll focus on surviving the pandemonium. From what we’ve heard, the best times to shop are early in the day (when the full selection is briefly available) and toward the end of the event (when staffers have had a chance to pull the racks back together).
If you’re in the market for a gown, don’t miss this very unique bridal opportunity.
And if you’re not in the market for a gown, check back on our blog February 6th. We’ll be sure to take plenty of pics of the fun so you can shop vicariously.