Allie flipped through bridal magazines, torn between craving pizza and sticking to her clean eating routine for glowing skin.
“You’re perfect the way you are,” her fiancé Scott had said.
“But I want that princess glow,” she’d teased him. Scott suggested a tiara instead, making her smile.
Allie’s wedding planning was meticulous, but finding the perfect dress remained a challenge.
“Why stressed, Al?” Scott asked.
“Everything has to be perfect, including the dress,” she replied.
“Go to the boutique on Boulevard. You’ll find what you need. Want me to come?”
“That’s bad luck, but do you think I’d find the perfect dress there?”
“Definitely. You’ll have your perfect day.”
Scott owned the boutique but wasn’t a bridal expert. Allie decided to bake eclairs and called her mom.
“I needed a break,” Allie explained. “You’re flying this weekend, right?”
“I completely forgot,” her mom admitted.
“Save the trip for the final fitting. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Woman choosing wedding dress | Source: Getty Images
Dejected, Allie wished her bridesmaids could join her. She envisioned them sipping champagne at the boutique. She remembered Scott’s surprise at her wedding vision board featuring pastel colors and forest green bridesmaid dresses.
Scott, sensing her stress, reassured her she was doing everything perfectly.
When it was time for the dress fitting, Scott offered to prepare the boutique, but Allie wanted an authentic experience.
At the boutique, Allie felt a mix of excitement and calm. Summer, likely a manager, greeted her with a tight smile, while Sandra remained distant.
Allie found a dress she loved – simple with lace and a flowing A-line bottom. As she admired it, Sandra abruptly snatched the hanger away.
“Please don’t touch the dress,” Sandra instructed.
“Why not?” Allie asked.
“Once you’ve paid for it, you can try it on,” Sandra said with a fake smile.
“But it might not fit me,” Allie protested.
“That’s our policy,” Sandra said before walking away.
Realizing Sandra’s behavior was rooted in prejudice, Allie felt defeated and decided to clear her head with a donut. She returned home, made dinner for Scott, and chose not to mention the incident.
The next morning, Allie went to the boutique, intending to pay for the dress. Sandra claimed the price had increased to $5000 due to an expired promotion, even though they had agreed on $3500. Allie felt the treatment was likely influenced by her skin color.
Seeing another bride, Bella, trying on dresses, Allie confronted Sandra about the discrepancy. Sandra dismissed her concerns, leading Allie to demand to speak with the manager.
Martin, the manager, offered an unusual solution: an employee, Irene, would try on the dress for Allie. Despite her reluctance, Allie agreed because it was the dress she wanted.
Three weeks later, Allie returned with Scott. Irene was wearing the dress, but it looked identical to how it did on Allie’s initial visit. Martin insisted on charging Allie despite the poor fit.
Frustrated, Allie confronted Martin about the discriminatory treatment. Martin accused her of planning to steal the dress and threatened to call the police. Scott arrived, bewildered by the situation.
Scott learned of the discrimination, fired the employees, and apologized to Allie. He told her to pick any dress she wanted. Allie, relieved, decided to leave the distressing situation behind and return the next day.
