Who has been to Kleinfeld Bridal? What should I expect?

[Clairitek]

I have an appointment on Sunday to try on gowns on at Kleinfeld Bridal in NYC. I am SUPER excited to try on some really gorgeous couture gowns with my mother. This will be the first time she sees me in a wedding gown (besides the photos of the Pronovias Dango

)

I am a little nervous because for some reason I sometimes get very self conscious in high end stores. I just want to be prepared as to what to expect there.

Do they allow photos?
Do they tell you what designer and style number you''re trying on or are they super secretive?
Do they share your measurements with you before you commit to buying?

Anything else I should know?

 

[CNOS128]

I got my dress there...
I didn''t find them to be snooty at all; they were very nice and listened well to what I wanted - they also read me well and didn''t bring me ridiculous choices that clashed with my personality. My experience was very much unlike what you''d see on "Say Yes to the Dress." For instance, on that show they keep saying that "no one''s allowed in the stock room," but I tried on like 4 dresses and then the SA took me into the stock room and it wasn''t a problem at all.

They were pretty open about designers/styles, but there are no photos allowed. They didn''t take my measurements until I decided to purchase my dress. But if you start asking all the style numbers and for your measurements, I don''t know that they''ll be very pleased with you, as they''ll suspect you''re using them to try on dresses and actually buy elsewhere, which hurts their bottom line. This could make them reluctant to share that information.

Are you going during a trunk show, or just a regular day?
I thought it was nice that there were a lot of other women around trying on dresses, so they could give me their opinions as well. The dress I ultimately decided to buy was one that I really liked, my mom LOVED, and when I walked into the "big room," everyone was staring at me (well, maybe it was the dress they were looking at!) in such a way that made me feel wonderful. Also, I had to take off the sample after people saw it on me so they could try it on, too. So I figured it looked pretty good.

It was fun!

 

[Clairitek]

Thanks for your response! I am glad to hear that they weren''t snooty to you. I can understand why they wouldn''t be so keen to share style numbers and such. I just like to know that stuff because my bridal party is spread all over and its nice to be able to direct them to a website picture so they can at least see what I''m considering.

Did you have your own private room to change in? On the website it says that you get your own little room (like a changing stall off of your own private viewing room), which would be nice instead of just having a stall and then having to gaze at the mirror with all these random pairs of eyes on you.

 

[CNOS128]

Date: 12/19/2008 10:52:59 AM
Author: Clairitek
Thanks for your response! I am glad to hear that they weren''t snooty to you. I can understand why they wouldn''t be so keen to share style numbers and such. I just like to know that stuff because my bridal party is spread all over and its nice to be able to direct them to a website picture so they can at least see what I''m considering.


Did you have your own private room to change in? On the website it says that you get your own little room (like a changing stall off of your own private viewing room), which would be nice instead of just having a stall and then having to gaze at the mirror with all these random pairs of eyes on you.

Yes, I had my own private little room (no stall at all!) with a big mirror, pedestal to stand on, several chairs for guests, and a silky little robe to wear in between dresses. Then, if you like a dress, they''ll lead you out into the big room to put on shoes and a veil and hold a fake flower bouquet and feel all bridal.

The only even slightly uncomfortable/awkward moment was when I decided to purchase the dress and they were taking my measurements, and along with my mom in the room there were the alterations woman, the sales associate, a manager and the dress designer!! (and i was in my undies under fluorescent lights!) But it wasn''t horrible at all.

I never really asked for dress style numbers but they seem to be written on the paper tags in most of the samples, so you could likely sneak a peek when/if you''re alone in the room. They were forthcoming about designer names, so that shouldn''t be a problem!

All in all, it was a pretty good experience. I felt well taken care of. My SA even told me to call her downstairs when I come back for my first fitting so she can see how it turns out, and the dress designer asked me to send her a photo of myself in the dress!

 

[Clairitek]

Thanks for answering my second round of questions. I just went back and looked for your dress thread. That''s exciting that you got to meet Anne Barge! I really love her designs. I think that Amy Michelson is going to be there this weekend though I didn''t schedule my appointment because of her trunk show. She does have some pretty sexy designs.

So long as they are forthcoming with the designer names I can do the rest of the homework myself. I might ask my mother to take some notes on certain dresses so I can look back on them later.

Do you know if they only have samples available for purchase during their sample sales? I missed their last one... It was a few weeks ago but going to NYC on a weekday this time of year just wasn''t an option for me.

 

[blissfulbride]

kleinfelds is amazing! I bought my gown and veil there. They make you a file so you always have the same sales lady. advice bring pics !

 

[blissfulbride]

I was on say yes to the dress ! lol

I got my 6k gown for half price for being on the show. its great knowing your a new york kleinfeld bride.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/say-yes-to-the-dress-finally-a-air-date-yippy.89834/

 

[dani13]

I got my dress there too and had a great experience all around. They dont allow you to take pictures unless you own the dress. I had Diane as my consultant...see if you can ask for her-she is wonderful!!!!

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[Clairitek]

Blissful- I saw your episode! I was tempted to apply to be on the show but I really couldn''t think of anything that would make me stand out in the crowd of applicants. I''m sure they have tons since the show has been airing for several months.

I am so excited to go tomorrow! I am in NYC right now and I am just counting the hours until I finally get to try some more gowns on. I still do love the Pronovias Dango but I got a sorta luke warm reception about it from my mother. She isn''t a wedding person and I know she''s trying really hard to get excited about our wedding so I appreciate the fact that she''s even willing to go to Kleinfeld''s with me tomorrow.

I''ll come back and let you know how it went tomorrow night! Thanks for the positive words about your experiences.

 

[Clairitek]

My experience at Kleinfeld Bridal was lovely. Camille was my consultant and she really listened to what I wanted. Pretty much every gown she pulled was very *me*. I had my mother and an old friend with me sitting in the little room.

Amy Michelson was there with her trunk show. I did like some of her gowns but they weren''t quite me. I felt bad saying no to trying on her gowns when she was standing right there! She does make lovely full skirts though with lots of layers of silk organza. Very romantic.

The dress I ended up falling in head over heels love (needless to say the Pronovias Dango is out the window at this point) is a Jim Hjelm style# JH8709. It was $3600 though... more than 3 times my budget. My mother kept saying that I shouldn''t skimp on a purchase this important and that if I love this gown then I should consider purchasing it. It would definitely have to be something that I would see afterwards. Thats tough though because I feel like this gown is an heirloom gown. I feel like its timeless.

One of the most helpful aspects of this trip was figuring out that the weight of the gown really matters to me. I didn''t really love the gowns that were quite heavy. The Jim Hjelm that I fell in love with was soooo light. I felt like the gowns that were heavier were wearing me but with the Jim Hjelm gown I was certainly wearing it.

 

[October2008bride]

Oohh that is a beautiful dress!

Netbride sells JH...