BRIDAL OUTFITS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 473, 1 October 1928, Page 13

BRIDAL OUTFITS

RENTING-OUT BUSINESS IN NEW YORK WHOLE PARTIES EQUIPPED Wedding dresses may now be conveniently rented, along with palms, camp chairs, orchestras and other appurtenances that the- average person needs but once in three-score years, or at most a couple of times. Sprinkled here and there through New York, mainly on the east side, rather to the north and east of the Social Register zone, has sprung up an ambitious trade devoted to outfitting the bride, the bridegroom, the bride’s family and the bridal attendants. So profitable has this business become that in some blocks there are three or four shops, a flight up, or one down, or just level with the pushcarts on the sidewalk, announcing that they carry a full stock of “bridal gowns and capes, evening dresses and tuxedo suits to hire and sell.”

The larger of the shops have as many as 300 dresses, which during June and the matrimonial rush seasons are continuously in and out. Fifty wedding dresses is an average week’s business. Few brides could resist them. Slippers, dress, veil and wrap are all included for 15 dollars or 25 dollars, according to the elaborateness of the gown. Fixing up the bridegroom is an easy matter. One fitting does for him and 5 dollars is the charge, stovepipe hat included. The bride’s mother and ma,ids are soon settled for 10 dollars, or 8 dollars if the dress has been worn more than twice. The bride is requested to make her selection a week in advance and have a fitting in a Cupid-adorned room.