Don't Have A Budget To Buy A Designer Outfit? To Replica Or Not To Replica!

As I sat inside my friend's store in Chandni Chowk, sipping on iced lemonade to help me cool down from this torturous Delhi heat, I did my favorite thing in the world to do - observe people. There was that aunty who kept insisting that her daughter in law wear bright red while the daughter in law wanted pastels and sent pleading looks toward her sister to speak up, there was the sister of the bride who hated everything in the store even though the bride loved it and then there was the third variety. The bride who came in and knew her mind - she wanted something unique, something different she said.  A few minutes later she whipped out her phone with images of Sabya & Manish lehengas and referred to them as what she meant !!

At this point in time, my lemonade was all but ending, but I was curious to see what happened next to so I shifted ever so slightly towards her. Sure enough - one of the photos was of that gorgeous, quintessential red lehenga of a particular designer with two dupattas which I've spotted in ever so many wedding submissions. "Accha yeh waaala, yeh toh humara hee hai madam - sabse unique piece hai. Aapki choice amazing hai" said the store owner (I'm sure in his head he was rolling his eyes because literally ten minutes back he sold the same lehenga to another bride).

Image via Confetti Films

Then as I pretended to flick through my phone doing something important (but really, I was just obsessed with this bride) - she asked about whether labels of the designer could be replicated. She had family who wouldn't understand that she bought a replica, and she would have to tell them it's an original.

Here is what got my brain into overdrive. It's a known fact that less than 0.01% of India can afford to buy designer bridal wear. So what does the rest of 99.99% (is that math right) of India do? Their options are:

1) Buy a knockoff, admit it's a knockoff and wear it proudly.

2) Buy a knockoff, pretend it's an original

3) Go to a lesser-known store that may not have the same designs but would be original and unique

4) Buy an original piece from the knock-off store

While options 3 & 4 have gotten quite popular over the years, all thanks to so many affordable bridal wear designers kickin' in and also, real brides picking beautiful homegrown designs available at the knock-off stores. There'll always be a group of brides who'll be obsessed over getting that one lehenga they saw online (most commonly on WedMeGood ) and wear the exact same design. But but but, getting a replica made may sound easy, however, there are a many hiccups that come along.

While we are just not inclined towards replica outfits, and that's the reason we keep on curating articles like Anita Dongre lehenga under one lakh or Gaurav Gupta outfit under 1 lakh. Plus, you now also have the option to rent that surreal Sabyasachi lehenga. Think about it!

Image via Braja Mandala

But we're also here to help our brides-to-be to dress as they have always dreamt of. Hence, we decided to share notes that you definitely keep in mind, if you go ahead to get a replica made. Give it a read.

Research on replica stores

With the internet changing the wedding shopping game now, you can always know more about the stores via their social media handles. If you're going through a recommendation, request them to share their experience in detail. Don't forget to read the reviews! Visit 2-3 stores before you zero in on the one from where you'll shop your bridal lehenga.

Finalize what you want!

You got to be sure about the design you want to purchase. You can't simply go to the store and say "xyz designer wale lehenga dikhado". Please carry pictures of the design to make it easy for them to understand. It's always good to have extra knowledge about that outfit, for instance, the fabric used, type of embroidery, the color, et al. This will eliminate the chances of such stores duping you with a bad copy.

Stick to your budget

Well if you're a bargain queen, we don't really have to explain this point to you. Wait for them to quote a price, and bring them down to what you had fixed in your head. Always talk about the price once you've decided on the embroidery, fabric material, etc because that's how they end up charging you more.

Document every conversation

You do realise that your outfit will take good 4-6 months to eventually reach you, right? So do you think you'll be able to make mental notes of everything discussed at the store? Uhm, not possible! It's always better to write down everything and share it with them as well (just like how we do at work - minutes of the meeting). It'll not only help you compare when you receive your bridal outfit but will also serve as proof if they miss out on something.

Now is the time to fix everything

The stores always handover 'a piece of fabric with the colour, and design' along with the receipt to lock the final piece. I have heard that you can also request them to send over a lehenga kali, to know what exactly is being made. Compare it with the piece of fabric you have, to be sure of the shade and material. If you think they're going wrong somewhere, now is the right time to point that out.

Do not share the actual wedding date

A friend who got a replica made this mistake and had to end skipping the last minute alterations because of no time in hand! Replica outfits are not easy, it's always better to save some time to fix a mishap if any. We'd suggest you tell them a date month prior to your actual wedding.

Follow up diligently

You can't simply place the order or a replica outfit and sit down and relax! Keep them on their toes for regular updates, so that you're well aware of the status. Brownie points if you also request for pictures.

Even if your dream lehenga is really that one designer lehenga you cant afford and you decide to go ahead and buy it from a store in Old Delhi, don't be ashamed of admitting it. It irrelevant what others have to think about it because at the end of the day you wore it for yourself!

XOXO The WMG Bride

ALSO READ - Tips & Tricks To Spot A Replica or Fake Designer Lehenga

*images is for representation purpose only