Prom, wedding attire available at Custom Threads
Dresses, tuxedos available to rent or buy at local store
Staff reporter
What do these types of dresses have in common — prom, wedding, and bridesmaids?
A woman wears them once and then they hang in the closet for the next 20 years or more, never to be worn again.
Audrey McLinden has solutions for women needing a special dress or wanting to sell a dress from a special occasion.
McLinden, owner of Custom Threads, 331 E. Main, Marion, is now renting prom dresses, wedding gowns, and bridesmaids dresses.
"People had been asking me for years to provide rental dresses," said McLinden. "It is something that was definitely needed."
McLinden has been renting tuxedos for about 10 years. This is the first year for renting dresses.
"I work with a company, L and L Rental, out of Boise, Idaho," said McLinden.
A customer can go on the Internet at www.LLRENTAL.com to look at the variety of styles, colors, and sizes. Or a customer can go to Custom Threads and see pictures of the available dresses.
Once the selection is made, McLinden orders the dress from the company.
"Two weeks is the average amount of time it takes to receive a dress once it's ordered," said McLinden, "but I can get a dress up to the day before it's needed." There are additional charges for the next day service, added McLinden.
Prom and bridesmaids dresses rent for $60. Tuxedo prices start at $50. Wedding gowns are $160 to rent.
The rental fee is for a weekend, with the clothing being picked up prior to the weekend and returned by noon on Monday.
Dresses and tuxedos also are available in children's sizes.
"The entire wedding attire can be rented through me," said McLinden.
Shoes and veils are also available to rent.
A complete line of tuxedos and accessories are available and may be rented from Custom Threads. McLinden uses four different companies from Wichita, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Little Rock, Ark., for tuxedo rentals.
"A person could also purchase the tuxedo, shirt, pants, shoes, etc." said McLinden, instead of renting them.
Ring pillows and garters can be custom-made by McLinden to finish the trousseaux.
Special occasion dresses also are available for sale at Custom Threads.
"I'm selling dresses on consignment from individuals," said McLinden.
The "once worn" dresses sell at various prices but are all well worth the money.
"The dresses are a fraction of the price of what you'd have to pay at the mall," said McLinden.
Additional consignment non-vintage, special occasion dresses are being accepted.
McLinden has been in the clothing business since 1972 when she started an alterations business in her home.
She outgrew her home and moved to the former Mini-Mall. She outgrew the space at the Mini-Mall and moved to the rear of the building she is currently in at 331 E. Main.
"I was in the back of the store for at least six years," said McLinden. "The store front came available and I decided it was a good time to become more visible."
Custom Threads has operated with a Main Street store front for about four years.
In addition to alterations, McLinden can sew clothing from patterns, she does machine quilting, custom embroidery, and seat covers.
McLinden currently sells used blue jeans and is planning to sell all types of used clothing.
The Powder Keg, owned by her husband Tom, is located in the store. Watkins Products are available through McLinden.
