Explain why mother of the chusen/kallah gown starts at $3-5k

LovesHashem

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:12 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

my question was

can it be justified?
does it really cost that much?

if yes - how are the others less expensive?

More expensive materials, art and creativity....

There's a range for everything. You can buy a fridge for 1k and for 5k. You can buy a diamond ring for 1k and for 100k.

amother

NeonOrange

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:13 am

amother [ NeonOrange ] wrote:

Sewed up for $500

Simply gorgeous
13 and 41st in the block near 13 Ave between 13 & 14 ave

amother

Sage

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:14 am

My mom has BH made quite a few weddings.. By her first she had one sewn up. I don't know what she paid.. she wore it 3 times and probably got her monies worth but she had enough.
Never sewed up a dress again, not for herself or kallah.
Try searching department stores on line, you may get lucky. Stay away from halter dresses so you don't that much alterations.

(oh and we are 'balbatish' and super 'chasidish')

little neshamala

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:14 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

no really
enlighten me
I'm trying to justify this cost

and it's all of them

Finds & co
Shimmerz Boutique
Avigayil Rumpler
Feldman in Monroe
Gitty Porgesz
Custom Couture by Chavi
Miris
Pessy Miller

--------------
if you know differently-
fill me in

Are these prices for rentals or to buy the gown??
Either way thats crazy.
I rented gorgeous sister of the bride gowns from augenbrauns for a few hundred including everything

amother

IndianRed

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:22 am

little neshamala wrote:

Are these prices for rentals or to buy the gown??
Either way thats crazy.
I rented gorgeous sister of the bride gowns from augenbrauns for a few hundred including everything

Those are custom sales. It's not so expensive for a custom gown, alot of time and work go into a custom gown. Many people sew up an expensive gown and wear it multiple times. It's very common in my community. Mothers of the bride/groom wear their gown for 3 or more weddings. There are women that wear the same gown to all their childrens weddings.

amother

Orange

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:32 am

My mother wore the same gown to multiple weddings about 5. She bought it on sale from Macy's so definitely got her money's worth LOL

amother

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:34 am

DVOM wrote:

I'm finding your question odd. Why should they justify their prices to you?

Creative, artistic endeavors are priceless, in the sense that the creator of a work of art and charge whatever they think it's worth. Depending on demand will need to adjust their price accordingly.

Obviously, there's enough demand.

If I'd ask them directly - that's odd

What's odd about trying to understand? to learn?

creative endeavors are priceless? ok.

'

amother

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:34 am

amother [ NeonOrange ] wrote:

Simply gorgeous
13 and 41st in the block near 13 Ave between 13 & 14 ave

thank you very much

amother

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:35 am

little neshamala wrote:

Are these prices for rentals or to buy the gown??
Either way thats crazy.
I rented gorgeous sister of the bride gowns from augenbrauns for a few hundred including everything

to buy
and get this
there are dresses for 10K too

think Goldy Schick [Broyer]

amother

IndianRed

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:37 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

to buy
and get this
there are dresses for 10K too

think Goldy Schick [Broyer]

There are dresses for more than $10K. I've seen gowns at department stores for way over $10K.
Celebrities pay over $100K for dresses. Just because there are dresses of such prices, it doesn't mean that we need to buy them.

amother

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:43 am

exactly

even if I can pay it I'm thinking

is it torahdig correct to pay that much for a dress?

watergirl

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:49 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

exactly

even if I can pay it I'm thinking

is it torahdig correct to pay that much for a dress?

Someone who has perfected their craft to the degree that they can make custom gowns, they are artists and can charge an amount to reflect their talent and the work that went into getting to that point. So is it Torahdig to charge that amount? Yes.

Is it Torahdig to PAY that amount? Can you afford it? Are you giving tzedakkah? Do you earn your money in a kosher manner? Then why would it not be kosher to pay for something that expensive? I am not a rav but I can not think of any reason why it would be assur. This is between you and Hashem.

LovesHashem

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:50 am

little neshamala wrote:

Are these prices for rentals or to buy the gown??
Either way thats crazy.
I rented gorgeous sister of the bride gowns from augenbrauns for a few hundred including everything

If you have the money to spend easily why is it so crazy?

asmileaday

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:53 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

exactly

even if I can pay it I'm thinking

is it torahdig correct to pay that much for a dress?

If you can afford it, why not? It's just like any other extravagant expense we choose to spend on. I know people that pay 50k for flowers that go to the garbage the next day, so why not 5k on a dress?

Would I ever do it??? No. I'm perfectly happy with cheaper options.

Now if you're feeling pressure to get from these places for whatever reason and you can't afford it, that's not torahdig.

asmileaday

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:54 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

because its a dress!
it's not silver!
it's not furniture!
it's not gold!

There are so many luxury items I can list that aren't any of the above yet cost way more.

watergirl

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:54 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

because its a dress!
it's not silver!
it's not furniture!
it's not gold!

So don't go into those stores and don't buy it. I think it's crazy also, but it's not a thing I value. To each their own, no? I want to think that the same person who can spend that on a dress is also keeping my local institutions running through their tzedakkah.

amother

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:58 am

Fair
Point taken
Thanks for explaining
I couldnt wrap my head around it

there are like multiple of these places so obviously like someone said
people are paying these prices
glad there are so many well off folks

amother

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 10:59 am

asmileaday wrote:

Now if you're feeling pressure to get from these places for whatever reason and you can't afford it, that's not torahdig.

you know what?
this is probably what's going on

one asks another and it becomes 'the norm' to buy it

amother

IndianRed

Wed, Mar 16 2022, 11:01 am

amother [ OP ] wrote:

because its a dress!
it's not silver!
it's not furniture!
it's not gold!

Everyone has different priorities and different things they enjoy.
My mom spent $7K on a gown for herself, she wore it 7 times and it's still in perfect condition. She gave it away, the women was so so happy to take it.