1. The 4 Month Rule:
If you find the perfect dress or gown in a store but it's not available in the size or the color of your choice, you will need to special order one that meets your specific needs. Special orders usually require a three month or longer time-frame to arrive because the majority of designers manufacture their garments overseas. For those of you whom think that I can't special order something without seeing it, please note, Jan's offers color swatches of the designers we feature and more than half of Jan's business is generated thru special orders. It is important to note that the no store can stock every style in every color. In addition, a speical order item could take as long as four weeks to be altered (thus, The 4-Month Rule) ---- this is of course dependant upon how busy the store's alteration department is at the time. If you're reading this and thinking, "I have only three to six weeks to my affair. . . what will I do?," don't worry Jan's Boutique stocks more than 3,000 gowns and special occasion dresses in sizes 0 thru 26, extra-small to 3X, petites, womens, plus and regular sizes. Also Jan's can accomodate any alteration rush job with a turn-around time as short as one week; sometimes less, for a minimal rush fee. Jan's also offers 15 designers that manufacturer right here in the United States and these designers can accomodate special orders in less than one month for a nominal rush charge. Again, it's best to order early enough to avoid a rush charge or to get your special order garment on time, but if that is not an option remember Jan's Boutique stocks the largest selection of eveningwear in your size to choose from in the Delaware Valley.
2. Ordering something you didn't try on in your size:
This occurs everyday in the dress business. As noted above, if the garment of your choice is not available in your size or color, you will need to place a special order. One very important part about placing a special order is that accurate measurements must be taken. Being fitted for accuarcy is critical to ensure your dress arrives in the proper size. Another critical thing to note is that an expert takes your measurements --- typically this is done by someone who has been in the field for a very long period of time or by an on-site seamstress. At Jan's Boutique, we often serve women who come to us after special ordering dresses at other stores where proper measurements have not been taken. These cutomers either lose thier money because the measurements on thier special order garments were not taken at all or just taken improperly or they are forced to absurb a very high alteration fee. Never take someon's word for it that they can guess your size by just looking at you; by the size of the "in-stock" dress that is available; or through a hasty measurement session. Jan's Boutique owner, Jan Davis, has been in the special occassion buisness for more than 35 years and she takes it upon herslef to take measurements for most of her customers. In addition, Jan only allows her specailly trained and qualified store managers to take measurements--- sales consultants are not allowed to handle this aspect of the business. If you're reading this and thinking of ordering something from the internet or from another store, then you may run the risk of purchasing a special order garment that may be so off the mark in size that it will cost a small fortune to alter or possibly not able to alter at all.
3. Special ordering early enough:
Sure waiting till the last minute may be your style, but when it comes to purchasing eveningwear it could be an absolute mistake. Eg. #1, Jan's Boutique spring-summer eveningwear business begins as early as October and November, do you need to purchase that time of the year if your wear date is in May?, no. Do you need to get serious in January and February absolutely. Believe it or not but manufacturers try to run their spring-summer inventories down as early as March, which in your mind might be the best time to shop and or buy. Manufacturers make much more money at the end of the season if they have less seasonal inventory on hand versus having lots of extra inventory on hand. If you need to purchase the garment of your choice in a different color not from the stores inventory --- it may not be available and if it is available it may not be ready for a later delivery, maybe too late if your wear date is in May. Remember the 4 month rule, order something in mid-March don't expect it see until end of June, too late for the mid-may wear date. This same situation applies for everyone for every occasion, so as you can see browse early, shop early and if necessary special order.......early.
4. Then, how early is too early to shop for your dress?:
Believe it or not but it's never too early to shop for an affair that is lets say seven months away. As you have learned from the "4 Month Rule" and "Special ordering early enough" you need to get serious real quick if you want to have exaclty what you want. Most importantly you need to know Jan's stocks spring-summer eveningwear attire in the fall season, the same is true for fall inventory available in the spring-summer seasons. As a matter of fact, Jan's stocks more inventory appropiate for the upoming season than any other store in the Delaware Valley because we understand that shopping early is extremely important, especially if you need to special order. Seven months isn't so much time after all, especially if it takes you three months to special order and one month to alter your garment. Looks like you'll have 3 months to relax prior to the most important day of your life.
5. Special ordering early enough for sizes 16 thru 32:
Unfortunately most designers typically do not stock sizes 16 thru 32. Becasuse the majority of designers manufacturer overseas it is absolutely critical that those of you whom need these sizes absoultely see Jan's four months prior to your affair. For those of you reading this and are saying to yourself, I'm a size 12 or 14 in regular clothes, I'll be fine. Unfortunately the eveningwear industry cuts all their dresses one to two sizes smaller, making you go from a 12 in your jeans to possibly a size 16 in your eveningwear dress. On average you will go two sizes up in eveningwear from the majority of designers offered at all stores. So please remember your size you may need to special order will most likely not be stocked in the color and size of your choice, leaving you with a minimum three month window to special order your garment. Also remember from the 4-Month Rule, Jan's offers approximately 15 designers that manu facturer right here in the United States and these designers can accomodate special orders in less than one month for a nominal rush charge. So as you can see if our "Made in the US" designers can't deliver fast enough than our in-stock inventory Jan's offers should accomodate any last minute customer.
6. Alterating your garment:
95% of our customers purchasing eveningwear garments need some type of alteration in order for our cutomers to have the perfect fit. At Jan's Boutique, you will accomodated by one of Jan's many certified seamstresses. Alterations are billed separately and are guaranteed to be completed professionally and on-time. Depending on the complexity of the alterations, it may take as many as three fittings to complete, although most alteration jobs are completed in only two fittings. Jan's only works with the most reputable seamstresses in the Delaware Valley. Please note that during our busy season February thru September, non-rush order alterations can take as long one month to be completed. We recommend that you give yourself more than three months to special order your gown and one month for your alterations. More about Alterations: Jan's seamstresses can create almost anything from scratch. For example, if a gown comes with a shawl but you need a bolero jacket, Jan's seamstresses can create that bolero jacket from the shawl fabric! Our seamstresses have added sleeves to sleevless dresses, they have lined parts of dresses which were unlined and have added straps to strapless dresses. The possibilities are limitless with our highly skilled seamstress who share a
combined 100 years of experience. Many of our customers take advantage of this much needed service and walk away happy with the incredible results that can turn any garment into a semi-custom masterpiece that is truly one-of-a-kind!
7. Shopping on the Weekends:
As you probably know, weekends are the most convenient time to go shopping and while this is true for many retailers, it is the busiest time at Jan's Boutique. This is especially true from January thru May. Jan's offers 15 luxurious dressing rooms in a brand new 6,000 square foot store. During the aforementioned busy period, some clients can wait between 15 to 30 minutes to get into a dressing room. Typically on the weekends our busiest time of the day is 1 pm to close. If possible try to stop into Jan's as soon as we open on weekends because there is usally no wait to try on! Saturday Jan's opens at 9 am and Sunday Jan's opens at 11 am. This is the best time to stop into Jan's because you will have ample time to review our thousands of dresses and ample time to spend trying on. For more time allotted for you to try on we suggest that you see us during the week. Also note on holidays (Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, etc), Jan's Boutique is busier than the weekends, so please be patient when visiting Jan's during these holidays as wait times for dressing room can be a bit longer. Again be sure to visit Jan's earlier than later in the day for best service.
8. Save 8.375% or more at Jan's on sales tax:
You can save on your eveningwear purchase! Our customers travel from Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, and Virginia everday to save as much as 8.375% on their dress or gown. It all adds up, notes owner Jan Davis, especially if you looking to purchase something over $1000. This is one very important reason to shop at Jan's not to mention we stock the largest selection of eveningwear in the Delaware Valley and quite possible the east coast. For even more savings from Jan's Boutique be sure to check out our e-coupon link on this website. Saving a few extra bucks is one of the many perks when shopping at Jan's Boutique.
9. Department Stores vs. Jan's Boutique:
As we tell our customers, Jan's Boutique is a store that truly spealizes in something that not too many other retailers in the country do. Jan's specializes in Eveningwear, Sportswear and Accessories better than any department store or independent store in your area. Jan's stocks well over 3,000 gowns, special occasion dresses, dressy suits and dressy separates in sizes 0 thru 26, extra-small thru 3X, regular-petite-plus and women's sizes. Department stores and independent boutiques including the best of them don't understand what it takes to fullfill your dreams for the most important day of your life, Jan's has been doing so for over 35 years. That's why 95% of the designers stocked at Jan's are able to be special ordered, that's why Jan's constantly has trunkshows allowing you to see just what the buyers of Jan's see in the New York, California and European showrooms. Jan's offers in-house seamstresses to tell you whether or not something can or can't be fixed to fit on your body. Jan's makes your shopping experience for something thought as stressfull actually enjoyable. We offer everything under one roof so you don't have to run around from store to store such as the huge selection of accessories including shoes, undergarments and unique earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more to compliment your garment. Jan's has been voted for best "Accessories" by South Jersey Magazine for our huge and unique assortment. Jan's has also been voted for best "Women's Clothing Store" by The Philadelphia Inquirer, SJ Magaizne, The Burlington County Times, South Jersey Magazine and The Courier Post Newspaper. Find out for yourself what makes Jan's the first choice for the tens of thousands of woman of the Delaware Valley.
10. When should I start shoppin for my Prom Gown:
The best selection to choose from in Jan's Boutique and from the manufacturer if you need to special order is in January and February! Most manufacturers and stores normally sell out of their "popular styles" by the end of February and mid-March----or won't get more of these "popular styles" until April or May for those styles which they (the manufacturer) decide to re-cut. Many customers with May prom dates think they can shop in April for their dream gown. Unfortunately, many of our prom customers find out sometimes that "their dream gown" has been sold out everywhere since February! The most popular styles sell really fast in our store and from the manufacturers inventory. If you want your dream gown in the color and size of your choice then try to shop at Jan's before the end of March! For those of you whom are reading this and wear a size 14 and up, manufacturers normally do not stock inventory in those sizes and your typical special order takes two to three months. So it is even more important that you see Jan's before the end of February. Also don't forget it can take as long as four weeks to alter your gown. For those of you reading this for the first time in the month of April or later, please note, that Jan's stocks well over 500 prom gowns in sizes 0 thru 26 and extra-small thru 3X. You may find the gown of your dreams, but maybe not in your first color-choice or your exact size. Jan's Boutique stocks ample inventory even towards the end of the season (April thru June). So if possible, see us sooner than later!