How can you tell if a wedding dress is good quality?
In photos, most wedding dresses look alike. White, lace, tulle. You only see the difference between a 3,000 DKK dress from a webshop in Asia and a designer dress once you hold it in your hands. And it takes less time than you think.
Turn it inside out
The inside tells you everything. There should be clean, straight seams, edges that don't fray, and a lining that lies flat and is attached all the way round. The zip should be sewn in straight, and there should be a little extra reinforcement under the arms and at the lacing.
Also look for seam allowance, meaning extra fabric inside the seams. That is what lets the dress be let out if you put on weight before the wedding. A dress with good seam allowance is worth more to you than one with a fancier name on the label.
Boning and lining
Boning is the thin stiffeners that run vertically inside the bodice. They are the reason a strapless dress stays up, and the bodice doesn't crease when you sit down. Press on the bodice: if it gives way without any resistance, there is no boning.
The lining should make sure the dress isn't see-through and that it glides over your body. Hold the dress up to the light during the fitting. Then you will see straight away how dense it is.
The lace gives a lot away
The finest lace in the world still comes from France, from towns such as Calais, Caudry and Alençon, and from Chantilly, which gave its name to the thin, soft lace that many brides love. You don't need to know the names. You just need to see how the lace has been applied.
On a good dress, the lace is cut out along the pattern and sewn on by hand, so the edges follow the flowers. On a cheap dress, the lace is cut straight through the pattern, and the seam runs across it. You can see this especially at the neckline and the hem.
The fabric and the weight
Take hold of the fabric. If it feels heavy and falls calmly, that is a good sign. Cheap satin is thin and shiny and creases easily. A simple dress in satin or crepe can weigh under a kilo, while a dress with many layers of tulle and beadwork can weigh several. You won't notice the weight in the first three minutes, but you will after three hours. Walk around in it and lift your arms.
Beads and sequins
Even on expensive dresses, a bead falls off now and then, because they are sewn on with thread. Ask for a few spares to take home, and keep a needle and thread in your emergency kit on the day. If lots of beads are already hanging loose in the shop, that is a bad sign.
Why outlet dresses are often better quality
Many of our dresses come from designers and discontinued collections that originally cost far more. That means you get the quality that goes with the high price, without paying it. And because we are a Danish shop, you can check it all with your own hands before you buy.
You will find more answers in our FAQ on quality. See our lace wedding dresses or all dresses, and book a fitting when you want to feel the fabric yourself.