Junior Rasmussen
Wedding dresses are traditionally only worn once, but many brides are now opting for re-wearable dresses. This shift in mindset is partly due to rising concerns about sustainability and the wastefulness of the wedding industry. Brides are finding creative ways to re-wear their wedding dresses, such as dyeing them a different colour or altering the style. Others are choosing non-traditional wedding dresses, such as coloured gowns or floral dresses, that can be worn again at more casual events. Some brides are also choosing to buy pre-owned dresses or plan to resell them after their wedding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Buying a dress to be worn only once can be expensive |
| Sustainability | The wedding industry is wasteful, and re-wearing a dress is more sustainable |
| Colour | White dresses are traditionally worn once; non-white dresses are more likely to be re-worn |
| Style | Bridal jumpsuits, two-piece dresses, and shorter skirts can be re-worn |
| Occasion | Wedding dresses can be dressed up or down for more or less formal occasions |
| Re-sale | Wedding dresses can be re-sold, especially if they have never been worn |
| Re-use | Wedding dresses can be re-used for christenings, holidays, and family heirlooms |
| Re-dye | Wedding dresses can be re-dyed and re-worn |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a non-white dress
There are many ways to ensure that you can wear your wedding dress again after your big day. One way is to choose a non-white dress. Here are some reasons and suggestions for choosing a non-traditional wedding dress:
Firstly, opting for a non-white wedding dress allows you to showcase your unique personality and style. Whether you prefer blush, ivory, gold, champagne, pink, navy, red, or even black, choosing a colour that reflects your taste will make your wedding day all the more special. It also ensures that you can wear the dress again to formal events, as it won't be as recognisable as a traditional white wedding dress.
Secondly, a non-traditional wedding dress can be a more versatile and practical choice. For example, a bridal jumpsuit offers a fresh, modern take on bridal fashion, perfect for an urban or destination wedding. It can easily be dressed up for the wedding and then worn again for a romantic night out or a chic dinner. Similarly, a two-piece wedding outfit, such as a chic top with a flowing skirt or trousers, adds a touch of versatility and fun to your wedding day attire and can be dressed up or down for future events.
Additionally, choosing a non-white dress in a unique pattern or colour can make your wedding day even more memorable and special. It can reflect your free-spirited nature and bold sense of style. For instance, floral embroidered, celestial, and colourful non-traditional wedding dresses are perfect for elopement boho-style weddings.
Finally, sustainability is an important consideration when choosing a wedding dress. The wedding industry has been criticised for its wastefulness, and opting for a non-traditional dress that you can wear again is a more environmentally conscious choice. This could also involve purchasing a pre-owned dress, which can be resold, or dyed a different colour to give it a new lease of life.
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Opt for a two-piece outfit
Opting for a two-piece outfit or separates is a great way to ensure you can wear your wedding outfit again. This could be a top and skirt combination, or a dress with a removable skirt overlay. You could even wear trousers or a jumpsuit with a top. This way, you can mix and match the pieces with other items in your wardrobe, creating multiple new looks.
For example, you could wear the top with a different skirt, or style the skirt with a different top. You could also dye one of the pieces a different colour, or cut and hem it to create a new silhouette. This will give you more options for restyling your wedding outfit and make it more wearable for different occasions.
If you're looking for something a little more unique and non-traditional, you could opt for a two-piece outfit with a dramatic twist. For instance, a long-sleeved black lace crop top with a mulberry tulle skirt. This combination is both feminine and gothic, perfect for a whimsical and romantic bride.
Another option is to choose a two-piece outfit that you can wear again as separates. For instance, a silver sequin slip dress with a floral embroidered shawl that you can wear over and over again. This way, you're not only getting a wedding outfit that you can wear again, but also a new statement piece for your wardrobe that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Overall, opting for a two-piece outfit or separates for your wedding is a great way to ensure you can wear your wedding outfit again. It gives you more flexibility and options for restyling, allowing you to create multiple new looks and make the most of your wedding outfit.
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Dye your dress a different colour
Dyeing your wedding dress is a great way to ensure you get more use out of it. It can be worn on anniversaries, vacations, or date nights, and you can even wear it to a friend's wedding. It's also a good way to hide any stubborn stains that couldn't be removed after your wedding.
Before you start dyeing your dress, it's important to determine the direction of your project. If you want a deep, dark colour, the process will be different from adding a wash of colour to a white dress or doing a dip-dye. The more saturated you want the colour, the more dye you'll need. Check the garment's care label to confirm the type of fabric, as that will determine the type of dye you need. Home dye kits are usually suitable for natural fibres like cotton, silk, wool, and linen. Man-made fabrics like polyester and nylon can be dyed at home but need a different type of dye.
It's also a good idea to test out your dye on a piece of scrap fabric before committing to the whole dress. You can use any leftover fabric from alterations, or check near the seams on the inside to see if there's an out-of-sight area that could be snipped out and used as a swatch.
Once you're ready to dye your dress, fill a large enough vessel with hot water to fully immerse your garment. The water needs to be hot to open the fibres of the thread and allow the dye to deposit. Make sure the dress can move around freely in the water to avoid a tie-dye effect. Add your dye to the water and stir slowly and continuously for ten minutes to avoid splotching. The exact amount of time the dress should remain in the water will depend on the fabric, but an hour is usually the maximum.
After dyeing, add a fixative, then rinse your dress in cool water until the water runs clear. Finally, wash with mild detergent and warm water, then rinse and hang to dry.
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Buy a pre-owned dress and resell it
If you're looking to save some money or be more sustainable, buying a pre-owned wedding dress is a great option. You can find pre-owned wedding dresses on online marketplaces such as Nearly Newlywed, Stillwhite, eBay, and Poshmark, or consignment shops and vintage bridal salons. When buying online, knowing your measurements is crucial, as you won't be able to see the dress in person before purchasing.
Before buying a pre-owned wedding dress, it is recommended to first make an appointment at a traditional wedding dress salon to try on different silhouettes and styles. This way, you can narrow down the type of dress you want, which will give you a better sense of direction when shopping for a pre-owned dress. Keep in mind that pre-owned dresses may not be in perfect condition, and some alterations may be challenging or costly. Chat with a local seamstress for cost estimates before purchasing, and don't delay buying if you know it's the dress for you!
After your wedding, if you decide to resell your pre-owned dress, you should first ensure it is in the best condition possible. Consider having it professionally cleaned, as gowns that have been professionally cleaned can sell twice as quickly as those that haven't. Take clear, full-length photos of the dress from every angle, and be sure to capture any intricate details with close-up shots. When listing your dress, be prepared to spend time answering messages and questions from potential buyers.
If you're not interested in reselling your pre-owned wedding dress, you could instead donate it to a nonprofit that resells wedding dresses, with proceeds going to a good cause.
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Transform your dress into a new design
There are many ways to transform your wedding dress into a new design so that you can wear it again. Here are some ideas:
Dye it a different colour
You could dye your wedding dress a different colour to give it a new lease of life. For example, you could turn a white dress into a deep blue or a baby pink shade. This way, you can wear the dress to more events without it looking like a wedding dress.
Restyle it
You could cut your wedding dress to a shorter length, such as a chic midi or a high-low cut, to make it more suitable for everyday wear. You could also remove certain parts of the dress, such as the tulle in the skirt, to give it a new style. Alternatively, you could add a skirt over the top of a shorter dress to make it feel more bridal, and then remove the skirt after the ceremony for a different look.
Transform it into a keepsake
If you don't want to wear your wedding dress again, you could transform it into a keepsake item. For example, you could turn it into a christening gown for a new baby, a pillow, a necklace, or a headband.
Choose a non-traditional colour
If you choose a wedding dress that isn't white, you're more likely to be able to rewear it as a formal wear piece. For example, you could opt for a silver sequin slip dress, a pale pink dress, or a red tulle dress.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can! While wedding dresses are traditionally only worn once, many brides are now opting for rewearable wedding dresses. You can either buy a pre-owned dress and resell it after your wedding, or you can repurpose your dress by dyeing it a different colour, cutting it into a shorter dress, or turning it into a christening gown for your baby.
If you're looking for a rewearable wedding dress, try searching for "formal gowns", "evening gowns", "ball gowns", or "unique formal wear" instead of "wedding dresses". You can also look for bridal styles that are a little less white, such as a coloured gown or a jumpsuit, which can be worn again as formal wear.
There are many ways to repurpose your wedding dress and give it a new lease of life. You can dye it a different colour, cut and hem it into a shorter dress or a summer dress, or turn it into a christening gown for your baby. You can also transform it into a holiday tradition, such as a Christmas tree skirt or angel tree topper.
There are many rewearable wedding dress styles to choose from, including jumpsuits, midi length gowns, and two-piece dresses with a skirt and top. You can also opt for a less traditional wedding dress, such as a coloured gown or a floral dress, which can be worn again at more informal events.
