George Boyle
The wedding dress is often the most important part of a bride's wedding day, with every detail chosen with care and precision. However, wedding dresses are typically only worn once, which can be wasteful. This has led to the rise of second-hand wedding dress stores, which allow brides to buy and sell pre-loved gowns. These stores offer a wide range of styles, colours, and silhouettes, and can be a more sustainable and affordable option for brides-to-be. So, if you're looking to sell your wedding dress, or are on the hunt for your dream gown at a discounted price, second-hand wedding dress stores could be the perfect solution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Online marketplaces | Stillwhite, Nearly Newlywed, Borrowing Magnolia, The Loop |
| Local stores | Local consignment salons, thrift stores, vintage stores |
| Reasons to sell | Making money, sustainability, freeing up room in the wedding budget |
| Reasons to buy | Cost savings, sustainability, uniqueness |
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What You'll Learn
Online marketplaces for second-hand wedding dresses
There are several online marketplaces where you can buy and sell second-hand wedding dresses. Here are some of the popular options:
Nearly Newlywed
Nearly Newlywed is a user-friendly online marketplace that connects brides with dresses. They offer a quick and easy application process for sellers, handling all buyer interactions and shipping. They also provide curated tips, insights, and articles for brides-to-be on their blog.
Stillwhite
Stillwhite is the largest global marketplace for pre-owned, used, and second-hand wedding dresses, with over 95,000 gowns available. It offers a wide range of designer and custom-made dresses at affordable prices. Stillwhite does not charge any commission, allowing sellers to keep the majority of their sales. They also have a mobile app and provide tools and support to help sellers make a sale.
Borrowing Magnolia
Borrowing Magnolia is a platform for environmentally conscious women who want to consume mindfully and sustainably. They offer a transparent and hassle-free buying process, with a user-friendly website and a secure messaging platform for communicating with sellers. Borrowing Magnolia also provides tips for taking effective photos of your dress to enhance your listing.
Happy Isles
Happy Isles is a vintage bridal salon that offers both in-store and online shopping for used and vintage wedding dresses. They provide a curated selection of dresses, ensuring that each piece still has a lot of life left in it.
These online marketplaces offer a great opportunity for brides-to-be to find their dream dress at a fraction of the cost of a new one, while also promoting sustainability and ethical fashion.
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Specialist services for selling wedding dresses
There are several specialist services for selling wedding dresses. Some of the popular platforms are discussed below:
Stillwhite
Stillwhite is the largest global marketplace for pre-owned, used, and second-hand wedding dresses. It has over 95,695 wedding gowns for sale, offering designer wedding dresses at affordable prices. Stillwhite does not charge any commission or ongoing monthly fees, but typical transaction fees apply to payments received through PayPal. It provides a platform for buyers and sellers to connect directly, allowing sellers to set their own prices and keep their contact details private.
Bridal Reloved
Bridal Reloved is another specialist platform for selling pre-owned wedding dresses. While using this platform may result in a higher selling price, there is a fee for their services.
Nearly Newlywed
Nearly Newlywed is a specialist service that connects dress buyers and sellers, helping them save money. They cater to individual sellers as well as bridal salons with multiple dresses.
Consignment shops
Consignment shops are a great option for selling wedding dresses, especially those with a fashion focus. These shops will attract customers looking for bridal gowns and may be more likely to accept your gown. If your wedding dress is 20 years or older, you can also consider selling or consigning it with a vintage store.
Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Etsy, and other pre-owned boutiques
Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Etsy are popular online platforms with a large market for pre-owned wedding dresses. Additionally, there are various other pre-owned boutiques that specialise in selling second-hand wedding dresses.
When selling your wedding dress, it is important to provide detailed listings, including information such as size, shape, designer, age, original price, and condition. High-quality photos and videos showcasing the dress in good lighting and against a clean background are also crucial for attracting buyers.
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Consignment shops for wedding dresses
There are several consignment shops that deal specifically with wedding dresses. These shops offer a wide variety of bridal, prom, and other formal dresses, catering to different styles, colours, and sizes. Some of these shops include:
- Consignment Bridal & Prom LLC in North Andover, Massachusetts, which offers exquisite dresses and accessories for formal occasions. They also provide a platform for consigning new and once-loved dresses.
- Something Borrowed Bridal Boutique, a consignment boutique with new, sample, and pre-loved bridal gowns, flower girl dresses, veils, jewellery, and accessories.
- Happy Isles, a vintage bridal salon that offers both in-store and online shopping for used wedding dresses.
- Nearly Newlywed, an online marketplace that connects brides with pre-owned wedding dresses. They also provide curated tips and insights for brides-to-be.
When shopping for a pre-owned wedding dress, it is advisable to first make an appointment at a traditional wedding dress salon. This helps you understand your preferences regarding silhouettes and styles, making it easier to find your dream dress when shopping second-hand. It is also important to pay close attention to the condition of the dress, as some brides may be more or less accepting of wear and tear.
Selling your wedding dress through a consignment shop or online marketplace is a great way to give your gown a second life and make some extra cash. Websites like Stillwhite, for example, offer a wide range of listings from various designers and do not charge commission, allowing sellers to keep most of their sales.
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Vintage stores for wedding dresses over 20 years old
There are many options for brides-to-be looking for vintage wedding dresses over 20 years old. A vintage wedding dress is an authentic bridal gown from a previous era, often dating over 20 years back, with styles from the 1920s to the early 2000s. These dresses are sought after for their unique designs, quality craftsmanship, and timeless appeal.
Vintage dresses are often made with rare fabrics and intricate detailing, and opting for vintage can be an eco-friendly choice by reducing the demand for new materials and lowering the demand for fabric production.
Brides can visit reputable vintage bridal boutiques, use online vintage wedding dress directories, or try on dresses in-person to find their ideal gown. Online marketplaces like Etsy, with its dedicated vintage section, and The RealReal and Gossamer, are great options for vintage wedding dresses. Etsy offers a wide range of styles and prices, from bohemian-infused '70s dresses to 1930s Art Deco gowns.
For those looking for a non-traditional route, Decades, an LA-based store, offers a selection of colorful vintage ensembles worthy of walking down the aisle. Shareen Mitchell designs modern wedding gowns infused with repurposed pieces of vintage clothing, none of which exceed $2,000. Madly Vintage, a Venice, CA-based store, is another destination for vintage lovers worldwide.
Additionally, local consignment salons, thrift stores, and online marketplaces like Stillwhite, Nearly Newlywed, and Preowned Wedding Dresses are great options for buying and selling pre-owned wedding dresses.
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The pros and cons of selling wedding dresses online
There are several pros and cons to selling wedding dresses online.
Pros
- Online marketplaces offer a wide selection of gowns, allowing sellers to reach a larger audience and potentially make a sale.
- Websites like Nearly Newlywed handle all buyer interactions and shipping, saving sellers time and stress.
- Sites like Stillwhite offer a straightforward process for listing dresses, with no commission fees, meaning sellers keep most of their sales.
- Selling pre-loved wedding dresses can help free up room in the seller's budget, allowing them to earn money from a dress they may no longer need.
- It is more sustainable to give a wedding dress a second life, reducing waste and potentially helping the seller make a more ethical choice.
Cons
- Creating a listing on some sites may require an initial fee, adding to the overall cost for the seller.
- Online selling may require the seller to be digitally savvy, which could be a challenge for those less familiar with technology.
- The process of taking measurements, submitting descriptions, and providing photos can be time-consuming and may not suit those looking for a quick sale.
- Wedding dresses listed online may face more competition from other sellers, potentially impacting the chances of a quick sale.
- Online selling may not offer the same level of personal interaction and experience as selling in-person at a consignment salon or thrift store.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, second-hand clothes stores do take wedding dresses. There are many online and in-person marketplaces that are specifically for used wedding dresses, such as Borrowing Magnolia, Stillwhite, and Nearly Newlywed.
There are many benefits to selling your wedding dress second-hand. Financially, brides can make back a significant portion of the retail price. Additionally, from a sustainability perspective, selling your wedding dress extends its lifespan and offsets the resources needed to make a new dress.
There are a few options for selling your wedding dress second-hand. You can use a specialist service or consignment shop, which will do the work for you in return for a commission. You can also sell your dress online through a marketplace such as Stillwhite, which does not charge commission. To increase your chances of selling, it is recommended that you take high-quality photos or videos of your dress and include a detailed description.
Many second-hand clothes stores accept donations of wedding dresses. You can donate your dress to a local thrift store or consignment salon, or to a charity. Some online marketplaces, such as Nearly Newlywed, may also accept donations. It is recommended that you contact the store or organization beforehand to ensure that they are accepting donations.
When browsing second-hand wedding dresses, it is important to pay close attention to the condition of the dress. It is also helpful to have an idea of the style and silhouette you are looking for before beginning your search. You can do this by trying on different dresses at a traditional wedding dress salon or by browsing online.
