15 Things To Do With Your Old Bridesmaid Dresses
Is there a bride's maid dress collection in your closet, collecting dust? You are not alone. The average bridesmaid will spend £80-£300 on a dress; and they more than likely will wear once. What to do with the old bridesmaid dress? Let's explore creative and sustainable ways to give them a second life.
In this article:
- Donate Your Dress for a Good Cause
Donate Your Dress for a Good Cause
Some gown just hanging in your closet may be just what some student needs for prom or that special beautiful outfit for that particular special someone on their big day. Here are some meaningful ways you can give your dress a second chance at making memories:
1. Give Back to Charitable Organizations
These dedicated nonprofits have made it their mission to match up formal dresses with the people who need them most:
- Becca's Closet: Provides prom dresses for needy high school students.
- The Princess Project: Provides formal wear to underprivileged teens so they can also attend their formal events.
- Operation Deploy Your Dress: Provides formal wear to military families.
2. Local School Theater Programs
That dress that was perfect for your friend's garden wedding can easily be transformed into a great costume in some school production. Many drama departments at high schools are very happy to take formal dress donations for their productions and performances, bringing stories alive on the stage.
Sell Your Bridesmaid Dress
Let's talk about converting that investment back into cash. Though you may not get your entire cost back, by selling your bridesmaid dress, it could very well defray some of the costs of and allow someone else to look beautiful for less. Reselling formal wear has never been hotter; there are more options than ever to find your dress a new home.
3. Online Marketplaces
In today's digital era, your ideal buyer might just be a click away. Consider these popular platforms, among many others, for getting the word out there:
- PreownedWeddingDresses.com: Luxury wedding-related attire
- Poshmark: Fashion items of a designer or formal nature
- Facebook Marketplace: Ideal to sell locally
- eBay: Higher visibility
- Vinted: Hugely popular in the UK for pre-loved fashion
4. Local Consignment Shops
Sometimes, the personal touch is everything. Most consignment stores deal with formal wear and help you earn back some of your investment while taking care of the sales process for you.
Creative Upcycling Ideas
Here is where creativity meets sustainability: That floor-length gown could be perfect for one special day but, with some imagination and perhaps a pair of scissors, it could become something you could get much more use out of.
5. Convert to Cocktail Dresses
Who says a bridesmaid dress can only be used once? With some strategic changes, your formal gown could be reinvented as your favorite cocktail dress:
- Bring the dress down to knee-length
- Remove sleeves or straps to give it a different look
- Add embellishments for a fresh design
6. Make Occasion Wear for Children
That beautiful fabric could magically fit into a child's wardrobe. Think about these enchanting transformations:
- Turn adult dresses into flower girl dresses
- Make princess costumes
- Create holiday outfits
7. Home Décor Projects
Your dress could beautify your home in ways you never imagined. Turn your dress into:
- Decorative throw pillows
- Christmas tree skirts
- Table runners
- Ornate picture frames
8. Memory Quilts
Turn precious memories into something you can wrap yourself in. Create a lasting keepsake by:
- Creating a keepsake quilt using fabric from multiple dresses
- Inclusion of other wedding mementos
- Embroidering of dates and names
Practical Repurposing
Sometimes, the most satisfying transformations are those you can use every day. Let's take a look at how your dress can become part of your daily life in both practical and beautiful ways.
9. Special Occasion Accessories
Transform your dress into sophisticated accessories to be treasured for generations:
- Evening bags
- Hair accessories
- Decorative sashes
- Jewelry rolls
10. Religious or Cultural Items
Give your dress spiritual meaning with the following projects:
- Christening gown
- First communion dress
- Prayer shawls
- Holiday displays
11. Storage Solutions
Now, take that special dress and turn them into practical pieces which keep your treasured possessions safe and organized.
- Jewelry pouches
- Lingerie bags
- Shoe bags
- Garment covers
Professional Alterations
At times, the best transformations may be those done by professional hands. A skilled seamstress can thus take a look and have ideas that you might never have.
12. Formal Wear Transfigurement
Enable a professional seamstress to:
- Create a new formal dress
- Create a two-piece outfit
- Make a structured blazer
- Create a formal skirt
13. Wedding Dress Accessories
Remember your wedding with this fabric turned into:
- Ring bearer pillows
- Garters
- Album covers for wedding photos
- Bridal purses
Preservation Ideas
Some dresses have stories too precious to cut apart. Here are beautiful ways of keeping and showcasing your memories.
14. Memory Shadow Box
Create a dazzling display of:
- a swatch of fabric;
- wedding photos;
- invitation;
- other keepsakes.
15. Art Projects
Have your dress become the art that tells your story through:
- framed fabric art;
- mixed media projects;
- scrapbooking elements;
- photo album covers.
Tips for Success
Take these essential steps before any makeover to have the best result possible for your dress's second life.
Before You Start
- Clean the Dress: Before any alteration, have the dress professionally cleaned
- Evaluate the Fabric: Not all fabrics work as easily with a particular project
- Consider Professional Help: Some remakes require experience
- Document the Process: Photos before and after
Making the Decision
Take a moment to consider:
- Is it in good condition?
- Does it have sentimental value?
- Are you handy with DIY projects?
- Could someone else make better use of the dress than you?
Your decision to reuse the bridesmaid dress extends beyond personal convenience into being part of shaping a better world we live in. There is much waste from the fashion industry; by perpetuating the use cycle of formal wear through reusing and upcycling, you are positively contributing to our environment. Every dress given a second life means one fewer in our landfills.
You may also be interested in:
Sustainable and Chic: The Rise of Second-Hand Wedding Dresses in the UK
