It was shocking to read about the Irish bride who “bagged herself a bargain” on eBay by buying herself exactly that; a brand new wedding dress from China. Turnaround time: two weeks. Cost: €6.
In these tight times, I can understand how brides might think this is a fantastic idea. Anything to do with weddings has an overinflated price-tag, especially wedding dresses, but cash-strapped brides should think twice about the true cost of this ‘bargain’.
When I was planning my wedding last year, I just couldn’t justify spending thousands on a dress that was essentially the most expensive cost-per-wear item I’d ever own. I was briefly tempted by a Google ad boasting suspiciously cheap, fully customised wedding dresses and knock-off designer dresses for a fraction of the cost. When I saw the dresses were made in China, I was immediately turned off.
The internet and particularly eBay has allowed smaller, family-run textile companies to sell their products direct to the consumer all over the world. Nobody can deny that this is a good thing, as long as they can make a good living out of it.
The €6 wedding dress isn’t made by some enterprising Chinese granny, building an eBay empire with a Singer machine and her web savvy grandchildren. More than likely, the average cheap Chinese wedding dress is made by the human equivalent of a battery hen, in crowded and sometimes dangerous conditions, receiving little pay, working extremely long hours and enduring inhumane conditions (to the point of prohibited bathroom breaks). Picture the misery and suffering that goes into that beautiful dress, and the contrast of the happy bride thrilled about her unbelievable bargain is a little grotesque.
It is unbelievable, because the numbers don’t work. How can a company (even a Chinese one) pay overheads, and advertising and material costs, let alone pay a fair and decent wage to the people making these dresses, and still make a worthwhile profit? The only way to make that work is through exploitation, pure and simple.
Surely it can’t be that bad? Am I exaggerating? The problem is there’s no way to tell.
Some multi-national giants are constantly under scrutiny about their Chinese made clothes. Recently they’ve spent a lot of time and money improving their factories. They may not be perfect, but they are under pressure to provide a living wage, ensuring basic health and safety and rejecting child and slave labour in their supply chain.
All this regulation and inspection and even they can’t get it right all the time. We always hear about violations and scandals. They have to constantly monitor every factory, supplier and outsourcer, because all too often there are people willing to exploit others in the name of a (slightly) greater profit. Not even multi-national companies, with huge economies of scale and reputation for cheap clothes would see the economic viability (or have the audacity) to sell a €6 wedding dress.
If these huge companies with reputations to protect get it wrong, imagine what some ruthless “entrepreneur” with a couple of sewing machines and a website will try and get away with. Just because these companies are faceless, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be held to ethical standards.
So what’s an ethical girl to do?
There are so many fabulous options. Consider buying a pre-loved dress on eBay (like I did), which will save you money and give you kudos for recycling fashion. After all, someone might have worn the dress for a couple of hours, so you’re giving it a second life.
Support local, Irish dressmakers but ask them about their supplier policy. There’s no point, if unscrupulous small retailers are basically buying those Chinese dresses themselves!
Go vintage! Vintage is always on trend for weddings, and you can source it yourself at markets and vintage fairs, or find a shop in your area who can probably recommend specialist dressmakers to rework and update your special dress.
Deirdre Cantwell, owner of vintage brand Quack and Dirk explains her wedding dress choice, “I just knew I was going to get myself a vintage dress. The 1920’s vintage lace dress I bought is full of history and I love the fact that it has its own story. If I were a dress I’d love to get a second or third outing, wedding dresses are far too beautiful to be worn once and then left hanging in a dark wardrobe!”
Alternatively, find an organisation like Barnardo’s who sell brand new wedding dresses (donated by designers and retailers) through their special bridal shops. All profits fund their work looking after vulnerable and exploited children in Ireland. Turn your happily ever after into a chance to do good for a child’s future.
Bernadette Harrington, of the Barnardo’s Bridal Boutique says, “Buying a wedding dress from Barnardo’s means you are getting incredible value and giving money to a great cause. All the dresses are brand new, and they are at incredible prices with many starting from €250 to approximately €400. You can pick up your dream dress for a fraction of its original price. All the money you spend on the dress will go directly to Barnardo’s work with the most vulnerable in our society – it really is a win-win situation.”
The demand for bargain wedding dresses will always be there, but we’re better than that, we can’t pretend that it’s fair or right. We have the luxury to choose to only support ethical suppliers and create good in the world.
Ladies, don’t be tempted and do the right thing. There is just nothing pretty or romantic about a €6 wedding dress.
Denise Duffield-Thomas is a travel blogger, former sustainability consultant and personal development speaker.
Image from Barnardo’s, who sell brand new wedding dresses through their special bridal shops
