Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dresses are notoriously difficult to recycle, but there are plenty of ways to give your old gown a new lease of life. From altering it into a wearable garment, to dyeing it a different colour, there are many ways to upcycle your wedding dress. You could also donate it to a charity, sell it online, or pass it down to a younger relative.
How to recycle an old yellowed wedding dress:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Clean and restore | Take it to a professional specializing in wedding gown restoration to remove stains, chemicals, and bacteria. |
| Sell | eBay, Vinted, Bridal Reloved, Still White, Recycle My Wedding, Unbox the Dress |
| Donate | Salvation Army, Goodwill, local thrift stores, Brides Across America, Adorned in Grace, Brides for a Cause, local charity shops |
| Repurpose | Dye it, turn it into a new piece of clothing, a bag, a necklace, a christening gown, home decor, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Dye it a new colour
Dyeing your wedding dress is a great way to recycle it and give it a new lease of life. It can be transformed into a unique piece that you can wear again and again.
Firstly, it's important to test your dye on a piece of scrap fabric. This will ensure that you're happy with the colour and that the fabric takes the dye well. It's also a good idea to cut off a piece of the original white dress to keep as a memento. Once you're happy with your chosen colour, add your fixative and then immerse the dress in the dye bath. Stir slowly and continuously for ten minutes to avoid splotching. The length of time the dress should remain in the liquid depends on the fabric, but an hour is the maximum.
After this, you'll need to rinse the dress in cool water until the water runs clear. Then, wash with mild detergent and warm water, and rinse again. Finally, hang the dress to dry.
It's worth noting that not all fabrics dye well. Natural fabrics will pick up dye, but synthetic fabrics may result in a splotchy or uneven finish. It's also important to avoid certain brands, such as Rit dye, as these may wash out of your clothing. Opt for brands like Procion, Jacquard, or Country Classics instead.
Dyeing your wedding dress can be a fun and sustainable way to recycle it, allowing you to wear it on special occasions and create new memories.
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Donate to a charity
Donating your wedding dress to charity is a great way to give back to the community and help someone in need. Here are some options for charitable organizations that accept wedding dress donations:
Brides for a Cause
Brides for a Cause is a nonprofit organization with locations across the United States, including Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Sacramento. They collect and resell wedding dresses to raise funds for various local and national women-focused charities. They accept new and once-worn dresses up to five years old and offer both in-person and mail-in donation options.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
Brides Against Breast Cancer is an organization that resells gently used wedding gowns to raise money for breast cancer awareness and early detection. They accept dresses that are in good condition and less than four years old.
Brides Across America
Brides Across America is a nonprofit organization that provides free wedding dresses to military, first responder, and frontline healthcare brides. They accept donations of gowns, veils, and jewelry and have an online form to fill out for acceptance criteria.
NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program
The NICU Helping Hands Angel Gown Program accepts wedding dress donations and transforms them into baby gowns for final photos and burial services for infants of bereaved parents. This program provides comfort to grieving families and is a meaningful way to give back.
Operation Prom and Cinderella's Closet
These organizations take wedding dress donations to help low-income students attend their proms. They may also be interested in other formal wear or accessories to help students feel their best on this important night.
Before donating, it is always a good idea to get your wedding dress cleaned and ensure it is in good condition. Donating your wedding dress is a wonderful way to give it a second life and bring joy to someone else!
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Sell it online
If you're looking to sell your old wedding dress online, there are several options available to you. Firstly, ensure your dress is in good condition. Consider having it professionally cleaned to remove any stains or marks, and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent discolouration and maintain its shape.
Next, you'll want to take plenty of high-quality photographs (and perhaps even a video) to showcase the dress's movement, sparkle, and other details. These visuals will be crucial in attracting potential buyers.
Now it's time to choose an online platform to list your dress. You can opt for specialist wedding dress resale sites like Still White, which charges a listing fee, or eBay, which takes a commission of the total sale cost. Another option is Vestiare Collective, an online consignment site that allows direct messaging with buyers and lets you set your own prices.
You could also explore other online options such as preownedweddingdresses.com or consignment shops, especially those with a fashion focus, that may attract bridal customers. If your dress is 20 years or older, you might even consider selling or consigning it with a vintage store.
Lastly, be prepared to handle the logistics of the sale, including secure payment methods and shipping or delivery options.
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Turn it into a christening gown
Turning your old wedding dress into a christening gown is a wonderful way to recycle the dress and create a family heirloom. It is a popular option for those looking to give their wedding dress a new lease of life.
If you are handy with a sewing machine, you can turn your wedding dress into a christening gown yourself. The first step is to sit with your dress and make a plan. You can decide how to cut the dress to make the most of the fabric and any design elements. For example, you can reuse the natural hem on the bottom of the skirt and the hem on the ends of the sleeves, so you don't have to hem the new garment. You can also add embellishments, such as bows, trim, buttons, or broaches, from your wedding dress to the christening gown.
When you are happy with your plan, it is time to start deconstructing the wedding dress. This can be a scary step, so it is important to take your time. You can then follow a pattern to sew the christening gown. It is a good idea to sew sample swatches first to check your stitch details before sewing the actual gown. You can also add embellishments from the wedding dress as you go or at the end.
If you would prefer, there are companies that can transform your wedding dress into a christening gown for you. You can send your dress to them, and they will work with you to create a bespoke design.
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Get it altered into a new garment
If you're looking to recycle an old wedding dress, one option is to get it altered into a new garment. This is a great way to give your dress a second life and ensure it doesn't gather dust at the back of your closet. Here are some things to consider if you're thinking of going down this route:
Find a Seamstress or Tailor
The first step is to find a skilled seamstress or tailor who can help you alter your dress. Word-of-mouth recommendations are always a good option, so you could ask your bridal boutique or local thrift stores for suggestions. Online resources like The Knot Marketplace can also help you find experienced professionals in your area.
Plan Your Fittings
Multiple fittings will be required to ensure your dress is altered to perfection. Most sources recommend planning for at least three fittings: the first about three months before you need the final garment, the second a month later, and the final fitting two weeks before. If you're making extensive customizations, you may need to add another fitting or two.
Bring the Right Items
To ensure your dress fits you perfectly, bring the shoes, undergarments, and jewellery you plan to wear with the final garment to your fittings. This will help the seamstress or tailor make any necessary adjustments for the best fit.
Explore Customization Options
There are endless possibilities when it comes to altering your wedding dress into a new garment. You can create a charming mini dress, a two-piece set, or even a robe that you can wear on special occasions. If you're feeling creative, consider adding straps or sleeves, a bustle, a lace-up corset, or boning to your dress for a unique look and a perfect fit.
Preserve Leftover Fabric
Chances are, you'll have some leftover fabric after altering your wedding dress. Don't discard it! Keep it for future projects or to create matching accessories for your new garment. You could even use it for sustainable home decor items like tablecloths, napkins, or Christmas decorations.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to recycle a wedding dress. You can repurpose it into something wearable, like a mini dress, a two-piece set, a robe, or a christening gown. You can also dye it and wear it for non-wedding special occasions.
If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can alter your wedding dress yourself. Otherwise, you can work with a tailor or seamstress to create a brand new piece of clothing.
If you have no emotional attachment to your wedding dress, you can sell it online on websites such as eBay, Vinted, Bridal Reloved, Still White, or Recycle My Wedding.
You can donate your wedding dress to several charities, including the Wishing Well Foundation, Gift of a Wedding, Brides Against Breast Cancer, Wish Upon a Wedding, and Brides Across America.
If you want to pass down your wedding dress, make sure to store it correctly. Get it professionally cleaned and packaged and store it in an acid-free cardboard box to avoid damage and keep it in mint condition.
