Public Service Notice

Spring is on the horizon as are proms and weddings
which require ju$t the right DRE$$.

Today's post is a warning to anyone who is tempted to order a
designer gown 'replica' from overseas.  In other words -

avoid  Knockoff  Nightmares!

A copy of the original designer gown, left, was ordered from a counterfeit
manufacturer in China.  The gown on the right is what the customer received.


There are hundreds of online websites devoted to unbelievably
cheap copies of expensive designer gowns.  Unfortunately, a
huge percentage of these transactions end in disaster.

This 'duplication' isn't even close:

About the only thing they got right on this knock-off is the sash:

Link


They almost got it right.  The top is very similar but the skirt falls flat:

Link


There was a slight problem with the knock-off gown, right.
It was suppose to be white like the original (left):

WARNING:  almost EVERY online knock-off site offers
100% customer satisfaction.  Rarely does that happen.  

A cost-conscious bride chose to order a duplicate of the gown on the left.
The dress she received, right, is a far cry from what she expected:

The short, blue bridesmaid dress, left, wasn't
copied exactly right.  It arrived without a zipper:

Beautiful prom dress, left.  Sad replica, right.


The wedding gown on the left features a lace up corset-style midriff.
What arrived was a gown with sewn-on blue panels:

  
The form-fitting Terani couture gown, left, is gorgeous:

The copy, right, wasn't a bargain in the end.  

There are so many problems with ordering a knock-off.
Not only is it dishonest (if not illegal), the materials are
usually cheap and construction is almost always dismal.

A copy of the gown on the left was ordered by a young woman who
needed it for a play.  The disaster on the right is what was delivered.

A naive bride wanted to duplicate the couture gown that Carrie wore on
Sex and The City (insert).  What do you think about the gown that she received?

The back of the gown, left, is what appealed to the bride:

The gown on the right is what was shipped.
Imagine her disappointment.


There aren't enough petticoats to resuscitate the wreck on the right:

A bridal shop bought it from the tearful bride.  They
display it as a warning to gullible customers who are
tempted to order from less-than-reputable dealers.


In what universe does a manufacturer think that the knock-off
on the right remotely resembles the original gown on the left:

Link

Original, left; Knock-off, right:

Actually, for all of its faults, the duplicate, right,

isn't as terrible as many of today's counterfeits.

The original gown, left, is lovely.  The copy,
right, just wasn't quite, well, right:

If you hadn't seen the authentic Allure gown on the left,
the counterfeit dress, right, wouldn't seem so bad:

Link



One of the biggest problems with knock-off dresses is that most
arrive wrinkled and don't have petticoats or under-structure.

Yup, this small package contained a wedding gown.



The designer prom dress, left, is adorable.
The copy, right, doesn't compare:

Link


This IziDress gown has a stunning neckline and bodice:

The 'replica' - where do I start?!


Believe it or not, the dress on the right is the manufacturer's
"interpretation" of the gown on the left:

The seams of this long-distance custom order were
basically hand-basted instead of machine sewn:

The plastic 'rhinestones' were glued on.

Well, here you have it.  Caveat Emptor - buyer beware.  Sometimes
trying to save money can actually cost a lot more in the end.