My MOH and I were looking for somewhere lowkey for my first round of dress shopping. I'm not a very showy person and I hate being in the limelight. Lilac was the perfect boutique to get my feet wet. They had enough dresses to get a good idea of what shape/feel worked for me, without making me feel overwhelmed. Pilar and Ava were just the right amount of helpful. They whisked us away to the back of the boutique, got our dressing room stocked with the dresses I wanted to try on, and let us take our time. They made us feel welcome and comfortable, without feeling pressured or nervous. If you're looking for a more personal/private experience- this is your spot. read more

I already had a wedding dress when I walked into Pilar's shop. I returned it, for a few reasons, but one of them was so I could buy one from her and support her new growing business. She is warm and welcoming, smart and sophisticated, professional and fun! I looked beautiful on my wedding day, and Pilar had everything to do with it!! Thank you!!! read more

Pilar is an absolute joy! Lovely shop, beautiful dresses, inviting atmosphere...I could go on and on. My best friend and I are both getting married within a month of each other and just started to shop for our dresses. We had such a great time at Lilac - I have no need to look elsewhere. If you like big pouffy dresses then Lilac isn't for you. If you DO love old school glamour and classic elegance than this is the place for you. I'll make a special trip from the Peninsula to shop here. read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about Pilar and my shopping experience at Lilac. I spent an awesome afternoon with Pilar, and at the end of the day I had the perfect dress for my country-chic wedding and my -classy with a tinge of sexy- personal style. Our wedding took place on an organic ranch in West Marin County where we used the apple orchard for the ceremony, the rose garden for the cocktail hour and the 100 year old barn for the formal sit down dinner and dancing. I needed a wedding dress that would look awesome in all three settings and move with me on the dance floor. Pilar took one look at my 5'11, athletic and busty frame (i.e. not the easiest to fit into wedding dresses!) and knew exactly what would compliment my body type and match my wedding and personal style. I left a few and fun hours later with the receipt for the perfect wedding dress in hand. From our wedding day forward, I have been receiving compliments on my dress, and our big day was in the Spring of 2010! If you want your wedding dress search to be fun and confidence enhancing, definitely make a point of swinging by Lilac and meeting Pilar. She is warm, welcoming and has an amazing eye for what will look good on your body type. read more

Such beautiful clothes and friendly employees. The two ladies were so helpful with my dress selection. I felt like I was shopping with my friends :) I definitely will come back when ever I need a Special events dress! read more

Like other reviewers, I can't say enough great things about Pilar and Lilac. I want to point out that Lilac carries some amazing items that aren't dresses or wedding-related. I was lured in by their great collection of Hobo bags and wallets, and I walked out with a gorgeous sweater, an awesome pair of AG skinny jeans, and an adorable little dress that I've since worn to a wedding and to work. Pilar promised me that I would end up living in the sweater and jeans this season, and I have. She encouraged me to try on styles that I wouldn't have otherwise considered, but that turned out to be totally flattering. And she was never pushy. My only regret? That I walked out without a Hobo bag! I'll be back! read more

I've now been to Lilac twice and both times was met with unparalleled customer service in an extremely stylish, but laid back atmosphere. Pilar is just incredible...down to earth, sweet, honest, savvy. I spent at least an hour and a half trying on wedding gowns at the end of a very long day for them (it was a trunk show day) and Pilar and her recommended seamstress, Cathy, still doted on me with a sincere sense of interest and energy. I had such a wonderful time. It felt like having close friends around in the trying-on process. They were even truthful about their opinions...telling me if one dress just didn't fit my body type as well as another, which I truly appreciated. We're on a super tight budget for our wedding, to the point that I don't think I can afford even the VERY affordable dresses at Lilac, but I was still treated with such care and respect, with no pressure to buy. A truly 5-star experience. read more

I am NOT getting married. Not any time soon anyway. I needed a more formal, upscale dress for an upcoming event and went to Lilac on a sunny Friday morning. Pilar helped me pick some dresses and of course the one I liked most was already on hold for someone. Pilar took my number and advised she would call me when the woman came in to make her final decision, she also assured me she was pretty sure the woman would pick a different dress. I came back in to Lilac on a sunny Saturday afternoon and got that dress, and now I can't wait to go back (when I have money) to get another. read more

Pilar made wedding dress shopping fun and simple. I bought my dress In January and am ecstatic- and amazed- that it was so easy- all thanks to Pilar. Long story short, I had no idea where to begin when I started shopping and went into her shop three different times. She never pressured or pushed, suggested great styles within my budget and even referred me to another shop for bridesmaid dresses. For the amount of time she wound up taking with me over the three trips, I feel like she was my personal shopper. I'm not a frou frou kind of girl, and Pilar managed to help clueless me choose a beautiful dress that fits my style, personality, and budget. read more

Lilac is great for bridal, or just about any other event that calls for a pretty dress! Don't want to show up at an event wearing the same Nordstrom dress as someone else? Avoid the awkwardness and come to Lilac! This store is almost too good for Alameda! Well, it's actually just what Alameda needs. I used to gaze into Lilac's windows several times a week while walking from my flat to the Blue Dot (awesome cafe a couple doors down). Pilar seems to get new dresses in constantly. I had a bit of a crisis after purchasing a wedding dress from a more traditional bridal store, and came to Lilac for an alternative. Pilar is incredibly sweet and welcoming, and seems to really care about helping brides find the right dress. Even though she knew I already a (bad) dress, Pilar nonetheless gave me special treatment like any other bride- mimosas and lots of attention. My husband fell asleep in one of the comfy armchairs in the store. I didn't end up buying my wedding dress here, but will definitely come back when another formal event comes up. We need to support indie stores like this! read more

First of all it is important to shop LOCAL - Alameda, California. We called Pilar around 12:30 am - talked about bridesmaid dresses. Did she still have the "multi" use dresses. We arrived at Lilac at 1:15 pm - always a warm and friendly welcome and once again its like family. Jenny was set on purple for her bridesmaids - after many ties and twists of this incredible dress - olive green will be the color of the girls! I just want to say Thank You Pilar and Ava for making our day so special!!! Now for the Mother of the Bride and Me.... Wendy A. Mariani read more

I had been meaning to write an update for Pilar and Eva since my wedding in August of last year because they have continued to impress me with their attention to detail, thoughtfulness, trustworthiness and just plain sweetness throughout the whole process (literally the 9 months between when I bought the dress and had my wedding!). I cannot speak highly enough of these women and of the community and values-driven business they run- they truly put love and magic into everything they do there! Endless gratitude to Lilac! read more

Lilac - Thank you Lilac! - Women's Clothing Near Me - Alameda, California

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Pilar was very helpful and sweet but this review is actually for Mila, the trailer she referred who's shop is down the street in Alameda. Mila is great! She hemmed my wedding dress and altered 2 other dresses, including my mom's wedding dress from the 60s. They all fit me perfectly once we she was done. Very reasonable prices, too! read more

I love Lilac! What a beautiful store....... Pilar, the proprietor helped me find the perfect dress, A Butter Dress By Nadia. I absolutely love it! Pilar has a good eye and is a very cool lady! This store has wonderful dresses and I am going back next time I need a hot little number for a special event.......... Its nice to have a stylish and sophisticated boutique like this on our lovely little Island. 5 STARS BABY!!! read more

I passed this store everyday when I drop/pick up my daughter and finally yesterday, I got the chance to visit the store without my two cute but crazy young kids. They have really interesting pieces. Brands I never heard before. I didn't meet Pilar but the girls who were there was very nice and helpgul. Though I wasn't really looking for a particular dress, just checking the store out. They were very pleasant. Didn't buy a dress, but bought a scraf instead. I will definitely come back to this store.. a hidden treasure in Alameda. read more

Dress shopping has the potential to feel like a nightmare. But not at Lilac! I felt like a princess. Not only was the experience great but the dress I ended up buying is one of my favorite things in my closet. read more

Pilar was amazing to work with! She is so inviting, and will certainly something for everyone in her store. I believe that anyone could leave Lilac with a new purchase that makes them fell beautiful! I bought my wedding dress here, and it ws perfect for me. It was designed by a San Franciscan designer, and Pilar was happy to get me the perfect fit! I love that she carries all different brands: some local and some far away. My favorite place to shop in the SF Bay! read more

What a wonderful experience I had here! I was able to find a truly unique and special wedding dress after several days of looking in the city and around the bay area! Pilar and the staff were so supportive through the whole process and helped guide me to my dream dress. They also have a great selection of more casual clothes for men and women. I will definitely be be back in the future! read more

this is the place to go for a beautiful wedding gown! Pilar, the owner, is a super cool woman with an amazing collection of wedding gowns. (she also has other beautiful and cool party dresses) All of the wedding gowns are made of high-quality natural fibers; none of that yicky, heavy-duty satiny material that makes you feel like you're going to suffocate. the materials of the weddings gowns in Pilar's store are so wonderful you almost want to eat them. I shopped at a couple of great wedding boutique stores on the East Bay, but they didn't have my style of dress. So then i trekked across the bridge, thinking that surely i could find the perfect gown in the city. but no, most of the gowns at both of those shoppes weren't what i had in mind. then i lucked across Lilac in Alameda on Yelp. Pilar had many dresses that looked like what i had in mind as well as the one dress that i instantly knew was 'the one.' Finding the perfect wedding dress is like finding a perfect boyfriend; i had to be patient, sort through the crap, try on all different styles until one just felt right. Thanks, Pilar! read more

I had my heart set on another dress but decided to ask Ava if she had anything she thought would be good for me. She picked a dress that I had previously passed over - and it ended up being THE dress! I love Lilac and Ava is fantastic. It's a great boutique with fabulous dresses and clothing. Thanks, Ava!! read more

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I love coming into Lilac to see what they sorts of new seasonal items they have (regular women's apparel) and to catch up with the owner, who is simply lovely. Their style is generally casual -- a little bohemian but more refined, and very high quality so a lot of their items are appropriate for work as well as a night out on the town. Prices are a bit high but the experience of shopping there is so pleasant. And they have good sales. AND, Pilar, the owner, is incredibly generous and is always donating to community and school events and fundraisers. I'm happy to pay a little more for all of those things. Oh, and they have a really nice line of menswear. Lilac is the best! read more

This place is amazing...so much so in fact that I wanted to review it so others can go ASAP figuring I would be the first, but a couple of fellow yelpers beat me to it. Impressive, especially considering Pilar just opened the store a week or so ago. She and the store couldn't be more superb. She's off to a great start, I was in today because my sister is looking for a wedding dress. She was incredibly helpful, suggested several dresses that my sister loved and flattered her body type beautifully. She had bridesmaid dresses too, of which i tried a few, again, with Pilar making helpful suggestions. She really knows her stuff and carries really lovely dresses. I am so pleased that Alameda has a shop like this, her blend of knowledge and professionalism without all the BS is a wonderful addition to the town. Being in her store made me want to get married all over again...at least so I could dress shop in her store...My sister found a wonderful dress that she loves and ones for the bridesmaids too, so we will be buying them all there for sure! Good luck to this wonderful new shop! PS. She also has a range of prices from like 3 or 4 hundred to well beyond that read more

I came here this past Saturday on my initial wedding dress search and I was pleasantly surprised. Lilac Dress Boutique is a quaint little boutique in Alameda that sells normal clothes in the front and wedding dresses in a smaller room towards the back. I love that this store lets you just go in without an appointment and browse the dresses that they have. It really helps alleviate the stress of having someone following you around. The style of the dresses here are simple, elegant, and a little touch of modern. They don't have too many dresses to choose from but their selection is enough for all types of brides. I tried on 4 dresses and found two that I liked. Pilar (who helped pin me into the dresses) was really helpful in suggesting alterations to the things that I didn't like about each dress. Overall, I enjoyed Lilac Dress Boutique. I haven't yet decided to buy my dress from here but the dress I found is a high contender. One thing I wish would be a little better is more privacy in the changing areas. The screens that were put up had huge gaps so you were kinda getting changed out in the open. More dress selection would have been nice too. read more

I went to Pilar for help finding a formal dress for a museum opening event- I am a stay at home Mom with three kids, and don't usually dress up very often. As soon as I walked into the door, I was greeted with warmth, and she picked out a whole bunch of dresses for me. She knew my size by looking at me, and had a great sense of styling- I need help! and she helped me with how to accessorize and I ended up with a dress I wouldn't have thought of for myself, but ended up feeling fabulous, comfortable and confident! I am sure I will be able to wear it again for weddings or parties, it is beautifully made and I got nothing but compliments throughout the night. Thank you Pilar! Can't wait for an excuse to come and see you again!! read more

Pilar made my wedding dress experience wonderful. I knew I didn't want a typical big/pouf wedding dress and Pilar's place was perfect for non-traditional yet still bridal gowns. She has a great selection of Nicole Miller (who I ended up wearing on my wedding day.) Pilar was very attentive and easy-going, making sure to answered all the questions I had about the ordering and sizing process. THANK YOU! read more

I love this place. I'd give it a 5 if it had better hours though. If you work a 8-5 job good luck getting in there... But if you DO - it's a jackpot of good service and quality dresses. The selection isn't mindblowing, but you really won't need it. The woman who runs the shop takes one look at you and takes it from there. She understood my figure and colorings better than I did; her dress choice surprised my but I've never looked so great. I have to recommend it! read more

What a darling spot! Pilar and Ava are top notch and so helpful. Honest about what works and what doesn't. Can't wait to go back.

Pilar is wonderful. Friendly, stylish and very helpful. She doesn't carry tons of any old wedding dress that you see at every other store. Rather her inventory is composed of carefully selected styles that are current. She is so nice and friendly. Walk-ins are welcome. She has tons of great formal dresses. A boutique experience without the bad attitude. read more

I never would have thought this little boutique would sell wedding dresses but a friend told me to check it out and sure enough, the first dress I tried on was everything I was looking for. What earns their 5 stars, however, is their service. Both Pilar and Ava are so friendly and personable. I loved working with them. Ava was there for every dress fitting and was so helpful. They actually have quite a selection of wedding gowns and are knowledgeable about each dress, its order status, etc. I knew my dress was in good hands after Ava let me know it arrived to the shop. Highly recommend them for their service alone. read more

Very helpful staff (we worked with June), higher quality goods than we are used to in the area, easy parking, nice men's department with cool jackets, shirts, accessories. We will definitely be back. read more

I have to start this by saying I have a terrible dress addiction, so going into a store like this is very dangerous for me! I'm glad I took the risk though. First of all, Pilar is great. She was very sweet and attentive; I told her I was going to two weddings, and I wanted a dress that could go from day to night with different accessories. I tried on a couple of dresses, but I absolutely fell in love with the butter wrap dress. This dress cost more than I usually spend on "party" dresses, but the million different ways you can wear it (all so flattering too!) makes it worth every penny. It also doesn't have to be dry cleaned and it is super comfy. Hands down my favorite dress of all time. I bought two, one in black and one in red. (Did I mention the dress addiction?) I can't wait until the next occasion comes up that I will need a dress! I want more! read more

Pilar, the owner, is extremely friendly, easy to talk with, and understands her clothing to an amazing degree! She understands what looks good on different body types, and she has a shop filled with beautiful things (accessories too). i got a great little cocktail dress here for a special event and felt fabulous in it! Recently, I brought a friend to Lilac to shop for a wedding dress. Pilar kept the shop open late for us and made the whole experience fun and stress free. My friend was amazed at how easy it all was. Plus, she found the most gorgeous dress ever! And Pilar knew just what small alterations the dress needed to fit perfectly. She also carries every type of bra, spanks, underwear, etc. that you need for any style of dress. I LOVE this shop. Go there if you need something special or just want to treat yourself to a super fun shopping experience. I found the prices to be in line with a boutique, but the wedding dresses we looked at were all around $1000 or less. read more

I called The Licac Dress Boutique inquiring about prom dresses for youth that may not be able to afford them. The response warmed my heart and watered my eyes. Yearly They provide an oppurtunity for underpriviledged youth to come in and pick new to gently used dresses at no charge. There is still some hope out there, I give back on a regular basis and its hard to find others that are willing to do the same. The Lilac Dress Boutique is definately a 5 star choice. read more

My go to place when I want to look and feel fabulous! Pricy, but worth it...and the owner, Pilar, couldn't be better about providing you with recommendations and honest feedback...it isn't about the sale for her, it is about customer service! read more

I bought a dress from here and fell in love with the shop. Pilar is super kind, absolutely wonderful and is great at taking the time to help you find exactly what looks good on you. She's honest and I really appreciate it. Since that dress, I seem to only buy my dresses here. I'm 3 in. And if I were to get married again, I would totally buy my dress here. There are some beautiful (and some amazing eco friendly) dresses. read more

The owner is wonderful - she took the time to find perfect Christmas gifts for all the women on my list, and she has amazing style and taste. Love coming to this shop. read more

I love this shop!! Such a cute place, with a great selection. But the best part is Pilar...she is AWESOME! The lovelist person ever. Can't say enough about her! :D read more

Great place for bridal gown shopping! Great selection and customer service. * Service - unlike most bridal shops, you don't need an appointment, you can just drop in. Once you're there, they let you look around and try on dresses on your own. The staff is super nice and always available to help if you would like them to, but they aren't in your face like at other stores. I absolutely loved having the privacy and space to just look at each dress without having to have a constant conversation with the sales clerk about it (as you do at other stores). Really friendly and helpful if you have questions. It also isn't crowded at all - I was alone for the first 30 min, and there was another bride there for the second 30 min, but plenty of space for both of us. * Dresses - the styles are simple and sophisticated. Lots of Nicole Miller gowns which I love - clean lines, elegant, understated, sophisticated. Great selection of dresses. Highly recommend! read more

While I didn't buy my gown here, my visit to Lilac was a great experience. Pilar was very helpful and honest (love her British accent), and this cute boutique has a great selection of gowns for the non-princess bride (nicole miller, siri, adele wechsler--had a gorgeous organic hemp/silk dress that was a bit pricey for me but fun to try on). By the time I visited Lilac, I had a fairly specific style/material in mind, which Lilac didn't have much of. Pilar gave me the name of a tailor who is reasonably priced--and encouraged me to check her out whether or not I bought my gown at Lilac. Alameda is a trek but combine your visit to Lilac with a visit to the Alameda flea market--makes for a fun Sunday! read more

Have avoided this place like the plague! Thought it was super expensive and only petite sizes NOT! Pilar is fabulous, carries 0-20 in sizes and dresses are perfectly priced. Actually came in for one, bought three (shhh don't tell my husband), and have asked Pilar to keep an eye out for something fabulous for New Years. Cannot recommend this place enough - wished I had stopped driving by years ago.!!!! read more