I Hate Sample Sales

I hate red banners, I hate grisly graphics, I hate answering dozens of questions about what dresses are going into the sale. What size? What condition? I hate not being able to offer the usual service. I hate not being able to please all of the people all of the time.

I will only tolerate one sample sale a year.

One day when brides to be can get a ridiculously good bargain.

One day when normal service is interrupted.

One day when ‘buy it now or lose it forever’ is the mantra.

This is why, last year, I radically restructured how we would tackle the question of clearing the rails. Wedding dresses are lovely but even the slinky ones need hanging space, the corsets don’t take kindly to being folded away and the grand box peat skirts do not love a lie down. The Chapel has a ton of cubic capacity but zero warehousing. The stockroom is big enough for client dresses and no more.

To address this, longtime Miss Bush followers will know that there is now a year-round Miss Bush Outlet in Basingstoke, hosted and managed by Ben and Adrien of Nortier Shallow fame.

Even this has a finite capacity. Even this needs its rails cleared.

Dates for the diary for...

Every bride on a budget,
Every ethical shopper,
Every second-dress hunter,
Every time-poor short-turnaround fashionista,
Every editorial look addict,
Every champagne taste, prosecco money...

Emma's 10 top Tips for Successful Sale Shopping.

1. Know what you want and what size you need, and be decisive.

2. Check the sizes before booking. Size 8 to 12 samples are easier to find than 18 to 20.

3. It's not as much fun as a regular, full price appointment so it's not the day to plan a bridal party outing.

4. Don’t buy too big or too small - these are classic mistakes subliminally encouraged by the red sale tickets.

5. Be prepared to grab and go. Bestselling designers sell best; for example, Suzanne Neville’s are always in demand.

6. Love the unusual and have a very individual style? Sample sales are perfect for picking up niche labels and editorial looks.

7. Do your research about dry cleaners and alterations companies. Lists are available but be prepared for the likely extra costs.

8. Negotiate. I want the dresses gone and you want a bargain. This is NEVER possible on made to order, but if you want to buy two dresses for an extra discount... Just ask!

9. If you love our space, love our style but don't find the one in the sales, we invite you to come back for a regular appointment and we will credit your sale appointment fee to a new dress order.

10. Good pants, good bra - always my best advice!