MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — With wedding bells ringing and prom season fast approaching, West Virginia shoppers may find themselves paying more for dresses this year — thanks to new tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump on imported goods, including formal wear.
In Morgantown, a long-standing family-run bridal boutique, CONI & FRANC, is facing this economic shift head-on. The store, in operation for 43 years, is preparing for both short- and long-term impacts from the newly implemented tariffs, especially as a significant portion of their inventory is sourced from abroad.
Bridal Shop Stays Optimistic Despite Tariffs
Connie Merandi, co-owner of CONI & FRANC, sees the policy as a possible step toward revitalizing U.S. manufacturing. “I’m actually very much for it,” Merandi said. “We would rather have manufacturing back in the United States.” She believes that domestic manufacturing would streamline production and reduce shipping times for bridal gowns and formalwear.
Even though two-thirds of her inventory comes from Canada, Spain, Italy, and Australia, Merandi feels prepared. “We stocked up on dresses before the tariffs kicked in,” she explained. The early purchase strategy has allowed her shop to offer many gowns at pre-tariff prices — at least for now.
Absorbing the Cost — For Now
Merandi emphasized that price hikes are being shared between manufacturers, the boutique, and customers. “Some of the cost will be passed along, but not the full increase,” she said. “If the dress is hanging in the store right now, you’re getting it at the price we paid. But if we have to reorder, the price could be 20% to 39% higher, depending on the vendor.”
To ease the burden on customers, Merandi and her team have identified tariff-free manufacturers and domestic producers. “We love supporting the smaller, U.S.-based companies. They’re not big conglomerates, but they’re doing great work and producing beautiful garments,” she said.
Experts Skeptical About Bringing Back Textile Jobs
While Merandi remains hopeful for a resurgence of American garment manufacturing, John Deskins, Director of the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research, offers a more cautious perspective. He argues that bringing textile jobs back to the U.S. is not economically viable.
“Those are not the kind of jobs we want anymore,” Deskins explained. “We’re aiming for high-skill, high-paying jobs — not jobs that pay four dollars an hour sewing dresses in a factory.” He stressed that trying to recreate those jobs is “not a good strategy” for long-term economic growth.
Instead, Deskins advocates for a free market system that encourages global trade and specialization. “An open economy allows each country to focus on what it does best. We can all benefit through cooperation and trade,” he said.
Consumers May Feel the Impact
While larger economic debates continue, the immediate impact for consumers could be higher prices at checkout — especially for those buying custom or imported dresses. However, customers shopping locally, particularly at boutiques like CONI & FRANC, may still find pre-tariff inventory and affordable options, at least for a little while longer.
Transparency and Customer Focus
No matter where the industry goes next, Merandi says her top priority remains unchanged: “We’re being transparent with customers. We explain the breakdown of costs and do our best to help each bride and prom-goer find the dress of their dreams — no matter the tariffs.”
As West Virginia’s wedding and prom season hits full stride, dress seekers may need to balance style, sentiment, and budget more than ever — but with a little planning and guidance, finding that perfect dress is still very much in reach.
