Several years ago, J.Crew shocked the retail world when it announced that it would sell mid-priced wedding dresses.  Very few thought that the mall shop known for preppy polos and proper pinstripe suits would survive in the bridal world.  But J.Crew’s line of affordable, relaxed bridal gowns thrives with each new collection.  

Thanks for J.Crew’s success, many other retailer started marketing bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses to fit America’s expanding taste for casual wedding attire.  And know, it appears that Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie will be launching their own bridal line this year.

“People shop atFree People and Anthropologie for bridesmaid dresses.” 

Bridal dresses, which Senk said will be “heirloom quality” and retail for $1,000-$5,000, are expected to be designed by the Anthropologie team, as well as guest designers. 

I know that some of you ladies are bound to be excited by this announcement, but I’m not.  I’ve grown tired of retailers trying to expand their footprint because it almost leads to a decrease in the attention paid to the things that made you love them in the first place.  

I think J.Crew’s quality and attention to detail have faded over the last few years.  Their cashmere, which was once a staple, is so cheaply made now that I never buy it anymore.  They sell expensive Italian luggage, Timex watches and Essie nail polish, but last week, the sleeve came off of a t-shirt that had been launderer twice.  And to me, it seems like the introduction of the bridal line and the slide into mediocrity occurred about the same time.  

I love Anthropologie, but I really hope that this bridal line creates a situation where so much energy is being channeled into the bridal attire that the regular clothes lose their spark.