Dear Jen,

 

I’m digging into my savings account as we speak to fund a bridesmaid dress for a friend’s upcoming wedding. I can’t afford the dress at all. To make all matters worse, the dress is a nightmare. It has four layers of fabric and is a shade of grey that I would never want to put on my body, ever. I really am not looking forward to buying this thing, but I know that I have no choice but to close my eyes and hand over my credit card to the bridesmaid dress store. I am mostly wondering If there’s a way I can return it after I wear it for just one night?

 

Sincerely,

 

Say NO to the Bridesmaid Dress

 

Dear Say NO to the Bridesmaid Dress,

 

All of my money is tied up in old bridesmaid dresses that I wore for eight hours each and then stuffed in the back of my closet, where they will wait to see the light of day again when either I win the lottery and have enough money to get them each dry cleaned or decide to donate them. Until them, I try very hard to forget they exist, until of course, I check my bank account balance and notice I only have pennies left because I once again spent everything I had on a dress I only wore for eight hours.

 

So I feel your penny pain. I do. But, you can’t return the dress. Bridesmaid dress stores are very strict on that. If they weren’t, every one of us would return the dresses. Instead, and smartly enough, there are companies now that let you rent bridesmaid dresses through them or even buy used one – putting the ball in your court. Shell out less to rent it or cross your fingers that you can sell it, after, and make a good chunk of your money back.