Woman Scores Luxurious $6K Wedding Dress At Used Clothing Store For Only $25

Sep 19, 2023

Aside from flowers, cake, and decoration, one of the most important things to prepare or buy before a wedding is the white dress that the bride would wear on the most special day of her life. It is an integral part of her history through photos and videos that she would look back on whenever she feels nostalgic.

Since nuptials are special, many people will splurge thousands of dollars just for a dress alone, so it could have a big impact not only on guests but the couple themselves. However, not everyone has the means for this or even wants this extravaganza, so some brides will go and buy theirs in vintage stores or even Goodwill.

Imagine the shock of a woman who was about to leave the used clothing shop as she took a good look at the sales rack only to find an amazing dress that she got for only $25. Not only that, she later found out that it’s worth substantially more than what she paid for. 

A nursing student named Emmali Osterhoudt spoke with Inside Edition in September 2023 to share her experience of getting the white dress of a lifetime.

She told the outlet that the cheap dress she found at Goodwill was designed by none other than Galia Lahav, one of the most popular designers worldwide. 

Some of her designs in the past were already worn by Beyoncé, Simone Biles, and even Paris Hilton at her 2021 wedding with Carter Reum. 

The only problem? Osterhoudt didn’t have any plans to tie the knot soon and found the item by complete accident, but she still decided to keep the dress until the special day arrives. 

“It’s gonna sit in a dark, secluded area of my closet so it doesn’t change color, and whenever I do get married, I’d love to still wear this dress,” Osterhoudt said, as she was not a bride-to-be at the time of the interview.

Inside Edition then spoke with Galia Lahav’s senior director Terry Hall, and he expressed his fascination with the Goodwill find.

 “It’s fascinating to me that Emily found this dress at Goodwill for $25,” he told the outlet.

Osterhoudt also shared her experience through a TikTok video. In the 59-second clip, the nursing student could be seen wearing the dazzling gown that featured a low-back detail and a low v-line in the front.

The dress was then completed with intricate details of lace patterns as it hugged her body perfectly without the need for alterations.

“It fits me like a glove, it wouldn’t need any sort of alterations,” she said.

At the end of the video, Osterhoudt shared a close-up video of the dress and the details could be seen sparkling. She described some of the beaded materials as a mixture of pearls and rhinestones.

Online users couldn’t help but feel jealous over the nursing student’s luxurious find as they expressed their feelings in the comment section.

“As someone who has worked in bridal for 9 years and still has never seen a Galia lahav in person, my jaw is on the FLOOR. The find of a LIFETIME!” one wrote.

 “You found a Galia Lahav at GOODWILL??? You are the chosen one omg,” another one wrote.

What do you think of this woman’s shocking find at Goodwill? What would you do if you found a luxurious dress at a used clothing store? Would you sell it or keep it for your future wedding? Let us know your thoughts and pass this fascinating story on to your friends and family.