Shadows

 

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Stacy E.

San Rafael, CA

I'm giving 1 star to the girls the owner gets to help her, 1 star to the amazing dresses and selection. The reason I leave the other 3 stars blank is the experience I had some years ago with the owner.

I am a white girl that grew up poor in Marin. My friend is a hispanic girl whose family has been in the north bay since California was Mexico and who at the time had a lot of extra money. We were looking for prom dresses and had heard good things about the clothes. We went there in sweats so we could easily try on numerous dresses. We looked around as the owner kept a close eye on my friend. I asked to try a dress on that was hanging on the wall. The owner looked at me and sneered, replying your too big for that dress I don't want you to ruin it while you squeeze into it (her sales clerk gave it to me to try on when she left and it was too big). My friend asked to try on a dress and the owner told her she couldn't afford it. The dress was in her price range and she already knew that. I asked to try on the same dress and she let me with no problem.
The owner showed herself to be extremely racist with my friend (who had a bigger budget with me) and she was very rude to me because I was not a size 4.
The owner needs to let the other girls sell the clothes because her customer service is very lacking and she needs to cut out the race/class prejudices.

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Elite '08

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Rosie S.

San Francisco, CA

This place is WILD.  I thought they had some really great vintage (aka, used) dresses and accessories.  Ended up getting my wedding veil here (why does no one tell you the boutiques want 6 months to get you that hunk of tulle?).  Also, their used inventory has styles that the boutiques didn't, so I got something unique that I really loved.  And it was only $100.  Which is actually really reasonable in that parallel universe of weddings.

Totally worth the trip to San Anselmo Ave.

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Holly M.

Rohnert Park, CA

I called for an appointment, and very glad I did. My Mom & I spent just over 5 hours on a Monday in October 2007 looking for my dress, and I bought my dress off the rack with extreme joy! WOO-HOO!. With my wedding in December, a dress off-the-rack was important to me. It took some time due to the four dresses that were in a tie for the favorite. The owner helped us, and she was so informative, helpful, energenic, and took all of our ideas or comments with a smile. We were impressed. The store is half bridal, half elegant vintage dresses. There are numerous hats, veils, wraps, shoes, bags, and new dresses as well. if you Surf-the-Web and haven't seen what you like, stop here! If you are part of the party, stop here for your dress too. Cheers to Shadows! One Happy bride!

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Tamara B.

San Francisco, CA

Shadows was my very first foray into wedding dress shopping, and the staff made it a relaxed, awesome experience. The selection is interesting but small---it's a little store and wedding dresses are just a part of what they sell.  They have some nice, modern stuff and some great vintage wedding gowns too. The prices are great...I didn't see anything over $650.
The woman who helped me was really attentive and knowledgable but not overbearing at all. She let me look through the racks myself, and she helped me when I needed help. And while I'm not sure if I'll end up getting my dress there, I won't forget the great experience.

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Joan S.

San Francisco, CA

Let's get it out of the way, I am mildly obsessed with weddings. Shadows has a lot of garden style wedding dresses, vintage and new for under $1000, and quite a few for under $500, lots of veils, hair pieces, new and vintage jewelry, the best choice in brides maid dresses (really ones that they actually WILL wear again, not just ones you have to convince the ladies they CAN wear again) and mother of the bride choices too.  Oh and a few princess dresses for those so inclined.  I've seen the conventional, alternative, goth, princess, vintage, starlet, unique and traditional brides all find something they love and look fabulous in here.  Better to come on a weekday and make an appointment if you can.  A bit zoolike on the weekends.

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Richard S.

San Francisco, CA

I'll never be a bride, but if I were...

I think I'd dream about going into Shadows and finding my unique Cinderella gown and shimmering vails. It's very easy to see what the fuss is about in this little treasure chest.

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Jen M.

San Anselmo, CA

I dragged myself into Shadows looking for a veil for my wedding dress that I hated but was stuck with.

Then, in the corner of the store, was the dress of my dreams.

Being a street size 12, trying on wedding dresses was a nightmare since many samples only come in ridiculously small sizes.  At Shadows, they have dresses in every size.  And that dress WAS my size and it was under $600.  After trying it on, crying the dressing room, calling my mom - the owner agreed to sell me her sample off the rack.  I walked out an incredibly happy person.  

I recieved great service - even though I was a walk in.  (brides should make an appointment to get personalized attention)

If you are not a cookie cutter bride, looking for something different and not astronomically priced dresses, Shadows is the place.

I just wish I went there first.  :)

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Cat ..

San Francisco, CA

GREAT place for vintage jewelry, dresses, skirts, and wedding dresses. I sold my aunts wedding dress from 1961 to Shadows. The wedding gowns here are all vintage, all beautiful, all historic. I bought my junior prom dress here ages ago! I still have it!

I cannot think of a single bad thing about this store. It's been in San Anselmo for a long time, the women that work here are angels, the jewelry selection is out of this world, and they have a sale box with funny old hats, purses, and vintage elbow-length gloves.

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