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ASK JAN

If you have a question you want answered by Jan herself then just email her at info@jansboutiqueonline.com. Jan looks forward to your questions!

My daughter’s wedding is in April 2010 – is it too early to start looking for my dress? How much time should I permit myself before making my selection?
Great question and one that I get a lot. Surprisingly, the time frame is much longer than most women think – or plan. Of course, Jan’s Boutique has over 5,000 gowns in stock in sizes 00 thru 36 – so we are able to assist those last minute girls without so much as a bead of sweat. Special orders are a different story. Although each manufacturer is different, a good rule of thumb is to plan to wait approximately 3 to 4 months for your special order, not to mention alterations can take as long as one month to complete. With that type of timing, you will have the universe of dresses available to you and shipped in plenty of time for your big event. But please note that Jan’s stocks approximately 10 designers whom manufacturer right here in the US. Because of these designers typically make their garments to order, this process allows our customers to special order something as short as 2 to 4 weeks with a rush charge. Rush charges are voided if you allow the designer to ship it within their order time frame which averages about 3 months to complete. Please note designers that do not manufacture in the US typically can not rush any order. So the bottom line is - it's never to early to find the perfect dress. For more in-depth information regarding this topic see our insider tips link.

Is it important that I match the wedding party in terms of color when selecting my dress?
Contrary to old beliefs, as the mother of the wedding, you are not officially part of the wedding party. You do not want to be considered as or dressed like the bridesmaids. Embrace your own sense of style and select a color that compliments the bridal party and your coloring – but no worries on the matching. Be you – you are perfect the way that you are.

I am the mother-of-the-groom, I’ve always heard that I should wear a dress that was beige – is this true? I found a dress that is simply stunning – I love it. The color is perfect but I’m concerned about purchasing it. I look so good; I don’t want to show up the bride, it is her day after all. What do you think?
Old school – old thoughts. Cut it loose – this is 2011 and you are a updated, modern woman. Some women may look great in beige or neutrals – and if you do and you love yourself in it – than go for it. If not, select a color that works and you are happy with – there are no real mistakes to be made in that department and no rules to follow.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about Jan’s Boutique and in fact have been to several weddings where your staff has dressed the mother-of-the-bride or groom and their guests. They’ve all looked fantastic. Unfortunately, I live well over an hour from your store. It seems like it’s too far to come. What do you think?
Because we pop on the internet so much from the search engines, customers from a distance always ask me this question (even customer whom are only 30 to 45 minutes from Jans’). Bottom line – Jan’s Boutique is well worth the trip. We guarantee you that if you come to Jan’s Boutique on a weekend you will see license plates in our parking lot from Connecticut, New York, Maryland and Virginia. Our customers travel this far because they do not have a Jan’s Boutique in their hometown. You will find dozens of boutiques in your area with little or no inventory of your liking in your size. Even the department stores do not have the selection as Jan’s Boutique (we guarantee it). Remember Jan’s stocks well over 5,000 gowns and special occasion dresses in stock in sizes 00 thru 36 within a 6,000 square foot store with 20 dressing rooms. Women come from near and far and always leave glad that they made the drive. And Jan’s is easy to get to, we are located 5 miles off of the New Jersey Turnpike, 1 mile right off of 295 and only 5 miles from Center City, Philadelphia. If the event is important, it is important enough to check out Jan’s Boutique.

I’ve looked and looked without success for a dress for my daughters wedding. The only thing I’ve found is racks of dresses that are matronly. If I make the trip, will Jan’s Boutique be any different?
Matronly is not in our vocabulary here at Jan’s Boutique. We do not speak that word and we do not sell those type of dresses. If you are looking for a special event dress that is sexy, sophisticated, sassy, chic and forward – while fitting a true woman’s body – Jan’s Boutique is your store. We specialize in eveningwear that future-mothers-of-the-bride and groom, mothers of the bar and bat mitzvah and guest wear attire that will have you saying why did I spend so much time looking in those bridal stores. Even in our up in size dresses (up to size 36) Jan’s stocks more strapless gowns with matching shawls that says I’m not 20 years older than I really am. At Jan’s you will find more updated jacket-gown styles and young looking strapless dresses than any other store on the East Coast!

My son’s wedding ceremony is at 10:00 a.m. with a reception beginning at 6:00. I would like to have a more tailored look for the ceremony and a flirtier look for the reception. Are two dresses an option?
You bet – if the parameters of your event require two dresses, go for it, and trust me we have the inventory to choose from. We will assist you in making selections that will meet all of your criteria and goals for the perfect look.

I find shopping very stressful. Of course I want to look beautiful on my son’s big day, but I’m inclined to just purchase my dress online. What do think?
You are not alone. If I had a dime for every woman that told me that they do not like to shop, or that they were a nervous wreck about buying a dress, I would be retired. Online shopping is risky not to mention you can’t try anything on! This is a risk that you do not need to bear during a stressful and emotional time like a wedding. Also note if you happen to have any type of problem with a online purchase you’ll have to deal with shipping a garment back without the ability to see your local merchant eye to eye! And don’t forget your “brick-and-mortar” boutique typically has seamstresses whom alter your garment (Jan’s Boutique employs eight expert seamstresses to handle all our in-house alterations----which are guaranteed to be right). Love yourself enough to let the staff at Jan’s Boutique, guide you through the process and steer you towards not only the perfect dress, but a dress that will make you feel and look like a million bucks. You will be treated with kindness and respect and enjoy not only completing your task of dress shopping but also the entire experience.

I’m a full figured woman and always have been. I’ve seen your gowns in many advertisements, as well as on your web site and they’re gorgeous, but you do you have anything for me....in stock to try on?
Jan’s Boutique loves it’s full figured woman. We stock dresses up in size to a 32 and there is multiple styles to try on. Many stores advertise sizes up to 26 or higher but they never stock them for you to try on and alot of times they'll show you a catalog to look at to special order from (not such a good idea). These other boutiques expect you to hold a dress up to yourself in a mirror and order it in your size (not such a good idea). There is no need to compromise because you are a curvy girl. Embrace who you are and let us handle the rest. I am fully figured and love it – more importantly, I buy great dresses for woman like us.

I’m planning on coming to Jan's Boutique for my mother of the bride dress, but I’ve just reviewed the calendar of events surrounding this wedding and I will also need outfits for two showers, a rehearsal dinner and a morning after brunch. Can you direct me to a great resource for these events as well?
No need to look any further – Jan’s Boutique means that we are a store that offers “one-stop shopping” under one-roof. We can accommodate all of your clothing and accessory needs regardless of the stated dress code. Jan’s Boutique can fulfill your apparel needs for all of the events on your wedding calendar.

I am having a strict orthodox wedding and I must have a high neck, I’ve noticed while shopping that I haven’t seen anything, does Jan’s have an options?
Yes, we’ve been servicing these type woman for a long time. Although you are right about the selection out there in the market place. There is not much to chose from in regards to styles with a high neck, but Jan’s has options in stock for you to try on. Also Jan’s expert seamstresses have added the proper coverage in neck area to hundreds of styles so don’t be afraid to ask us about your needs.

I love a lot of the chic strapless looks, but I hate my arms. Is there any way to enjoy a strapless gown but also obtain a little bit of camouflage for an area that I’m self-conscious about?
No worries – the staff at Jan’s Boutique has a number of tricks up their sleeve that will provide the coverage that you desire without ruining the look of your gown. Be honest, share your hopes and your concerns with our staff and with that you will achieve your perfect look and enjoy your “big day” photos for a lifetime. And remember a large percentage of the designers we do business with offer a matching shawl that our expert seamstresses can turn into a sleek, elegant and unique cover-up.

Jan’s Boutique seems to be a dress store. I’m trying to find casual dresses and or cruisewear/sportswear for house party. Do you have anything appropriate without being too dressy?
Absolutely, I hear this question so much too. Unfortunately we don’t advertise our cruisewear, sportswear and our casual dresses, although we have a reason for that. Many woman need a dress that is not too dressy or just plain casual for a daytime affair or just want a great blouse to wear with capri’s. Well believe it or not but Jan’s Boutique also stocks this look in it’s store too. We just don’t advertise that we do in our out-of-market towns because most people will not drive 1 to 3 hours for sportswear but when they see what we have to offer there very surprised. Jan’s stocks name-brand designers like Zelda, Misook, Harari, Not your daughters Jeans, Cambio Jeans, Yansi Fugel, unbelievable novelty tops and sweaters, skirts-pants-capris and novelty jackets. If you don’t need a knock out formal dress then definitely see us for our sportswear, and don’t forget Jan’s offers the best selection of Accessories in the Delaware Valley and has been voted “Best Accessory Store” by South Jersey Magazine.

If you have a question that wasn't answered here then just "Ask Jan" and Jan will personally email you back and post your question right here on our, Ask Jan link. To ask your question please email Jan at info@jansboutiqueonline.com.com


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