Filene's Basement Annual Bridal Gown Sale in Chicago

Remember the scene in 1999's THE BACHELOR, when hundreds of brides chased Chris O'Donnell through the streets of San Francisco?

Similar reenactments occur each year at Filene's Basement's annual bridal sale. The Chicago sale takes place the last week of July each year. (Check the company's website link for other cities and dates.)

Here's How It Works in the Windy City (and Elsewhere):

Eager brides-to-be storm the bridal department, hunting for the perfect wedding gown. The dresses are offered for $249, $499, or $699.

By the time the doors open, the State Street sidewalk outside the store is filled with brides. Most wear blue jeans or sweatpants. Some wear leggings and sports tops, so they can try on gowns without a fitting room.

"The Running of the Brides" . . . coming to a city near you!

"The Running of the Brides" (a take-off on the annual "Running with the Bulls" in Pamplona, Spain) occurs once a year in selected Filene's Basement stores across the United States. In Boston, home of the original Filene's, the event happens twice a year. The bridal sales in the Atlanta, Washington, DC, and Chicago stores are especially popular.

Filene's garment buyers snatch up as many wedding gowns as they can from overstocks, canceled tailoring orders, manufacturer and designer samples, and other sources. Each annual sale boasts at least 1,000 dresses. Original prices may range from $1,000 to $9,000.

The doors open at 8. The inside of the store glistens like a sea of ivory and white. Shimmering rows of satin, lace, tulle and taffeta are everywhere.

By 8:05, the garment racks are empty. Brides are feverishly trying on gowns, one after another. Then the real fun begins, as they begin trading with one another.

"I've got three size 10's. Who'll trade me for a 6?"

"Hands off, honey! That one's mine!"

"Hey! Wanna swap that white taffeta for this ivory lace one?"

"Are you gonna take that one, or can I try it on next?"

"Can someone tie this bow for me?"

"Does this bustle make my butt look big?"

"Ooh! Can I have that one when you're done with it?"

Tips for Brides

Leave your purse at home, or lock it in the car. Stick your wallet in a fanny pack, or have a friend carry it. After all, you will be changing your clothes a lot, and your hands will be full of tulle, satin, and taffeta. Who needs an extra bag to carry?

Wear skinny leggings or shorts and a workout bra or top, so you can change without a fitting room. (You probably won't get one anyway.) Some brides do wear their wedding lingerie to try with dresses. If you do, be ready for gawkers!

Go easy on the makeup. Do the other brides a favor. After all, you'll be trying on lots of dresses. Who wants makeup and lipstick smears on a wedding dress?

Put your hair up, if you can. A simple ponytail will greatly simplify the process, as you step in and out of all those billowing gowns.

Bring in reinforcements. Wedding dresses are bulky and heavy. You will likely need a few extra sets of hands to help you carry your choices, step in and out of them, and fend off others who have their eyes on your selections. You may wish to station one sentry by a mirror, to save you a spot for try-ons.

Leave the menfolk at home. Most won't argue. Although they might catch a glimpse of a woman changing in public, the idea of stampeding shoppers simply terrifies most men. One look around the crowded store, and many men will duck and cover. Way too much estrogen in here!

Bring your cell phones, so you can keep in touch with each other on the crowded sales floor.

Get there early. Some brides camp out by the front door of the store the night before. Most arrive around 7 am. If you can't come early, you likely only buy one dress this time!)

Grab everything you like right away. Take as many dresses as you can carry. Once you have tried them on, you can use those you reject to trade with other shoppers. (Some shoppers bring small white-boards to write signs, such as "I need a size 6!" or "Will trade a size 10 ivory for a size 12 white.")

Be aware that the dresses are not arranged by size. It really doesn't matter. Wedding dresses usually don't come in the full range of dress sizes anyway, and most need to be tailored.

Words of Caution:

Be sure before you purchase. The gowns are non-returnable, and the sale only lasts for one day. Each Filene's Basement store only offers bridal gowns on the day of their sale.

This event is not for the faint of heart. If you have always dreamed of spending an ethereal afternoon in a fancy bridal salon, with attendants waiting on you hand and foot, then this is not for you.

If, however, you have a sense of adventure, you cherish the chase, and you love the victory of finding an excellent bargain, then you will want to set your alarm and head for The Basement!

After all, who doesn't love as great bargain? Besides, you might have an amazing wedding dress story to share with your future grandchildren someday!