Junior Rasmussen
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, you're not alone. Thousands of brides are choosing to sell their bridal gowns after their big day. Before you sell, consider whether your dress is in good condition and could benefit from professional cleaning. Then, decide whether to sell online or in person. Online, you could use niche-specific sites such as Still White, Borrowing Magnolia, Nearly Newlywed, Poshmark, Tradesy, or eBay. You could also sell on Facebook Marketplace. If you sell online, include quality photos of the dress from every angle, a video, and a detailed description. If you sell in person, you could try a consignment shop or a local Facebook Buy and Sell group. Be aware that consignment shops tend to have higher commission fees than online marketplaces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sentimentality | If you don't have an emotional attachment to your wedding dress, consider selling it |
| Wearability | If you don't plan to re-wear your wedding dress, selling it could be a good option |
| Online marketplaces | Still White, eBay, Vestiare Collective, Kleinfeld, Borrowing Magnolia, Poshmark, Tradesy, Nearly Newlywed, Facebook Marketplace |
| Consignment shops | Wedding dress consignment shops, Facebook Buy and Sell groups, bridal boutiques |
| Professional cleaning | Professionally cleaned dresses can sell twice as quickly as uncleaned dresses |
| Photos | Include clear, full-length photos of the dress from every angle, as well as close-up shots of intricate details |
| Description | Provide a detailed description of the dress, including accurate measurements |
| Video | Consider including a video to showcase how the dress moves and sparkles |
| Price | Set a competitive price and be prepared to negotiate |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a niche site that focuses on wedding-related items
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress, choosing a niche site that focuses on wedding-related items is a great option. These sites are specifically targeted towards brides looking for secondhand wedding dresses, so you'll be reaching an audience that is ready to buy.
One popular wedding dress resale site is Still White. Still White calls itself the world's largest pre-owned wedding dress marketplace, with over 52,000 dresses for sale and $117 million in sales. The site offers two options for listing your dress: a standard option for a $20 fee, and a premium option for $30. There is no commission on sales, and your dress will remain listed until it sells. You can upload photos and choose your selling price, and you'll have the option to meet with the buyer in person if you prefer.
Another site to consider is Borrowing Magnolia, which allows brides to buy and sell wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. Borrowing Magnolia provides a dress value calculator to help you determine what your dress is worth, and you can then upload photos and create a listing.
Tradesy is another option for selling your wedding dress. This site offers a streamlined interface with a quick listing process and no upfront selling fees, although there is a 19.8% commission fee on items sold for more than $50. Tradesy also covers shipping and return costs and provides a money-back guarantee if items are inauthentic.
When selling your wedding dress online, it's important to present it in the best way possible. Include clear, full-length photos from every angle, as well as close-up shots of any intricate details. You may also want to include photos of yourself wearing the dress so that potential buyers can see how it fits.
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Prepare your dress for sale with professional cleaning
Wedding dresses are one of the most important and sentimental pieces of clothing a person will ever wear. However, they are also one of the easiest garments to stain. Amidst the revelry of a wedding, it is common for dresses to be marked with drops of liquid, mud, or food stains. Even invisible stains such as sweat, dirt, and oils from the wedding day can wreak havoc on the delicate fabrics of a wedding dress and cause yellowing and fabric decay over time.
Professional cleaning is the best way to ensure your wedding dress is prepared for sale. While it is possible to clean your wedding dress at home, it is not recommended. Wedding dresses vary so much in terms of materials and construction methods that it is nearly impossible to recommend a technique that will be safe and effective for every gown. Professionals are more accustomed to working with finicky fabrics, but not all dry cleaners are created equal. Certain chemicals and treatments can melt beads, sequins, and other embellishments, so it is crucial to research and choose a cleaner with experience handling wedding dresses.
Before heading to the nearest cleaner, consider online reviews, as well as the experiences of friends and family members. If you are unsure of where to go, reach out to the bridal boutique you purchased your gown from as they likely have a list of recommended vendors. Some brides also opt to preserve their wedding gowns, a process that cleans the dress and properly stores it to guarantee its long-term viability. While this may be more expensive than a typical cleaning, it is a good option to consider if you'd like to ensure the dress's longevity.
The best time to send your wedding dress in for cleaning is the day after your wedding. This will make the dress easier to sell as it will be clean and free of damage. If you are unable to clean the dress immediately after the wedding, it is important to still have it cleaned professionally before selling it. According to data from Nearly Newlywed, preowned wedding dresses that have been professionally cleaned can sell twice as quickly as those that have not.
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Take quality photos from multiple angles
When selling your wedding dress, it is important to take quality photos from multiple angles. This is because prospective buyers don't have the benefit of seeing the dress in person, so the way it is presented online is very important. You should hang your dress up in a well-lit environment and take clear, full-length photos from every angle. If there are intricate details on your gown, such as antique buttons, beaded straps, or 3D floral embellishments, be sure to take some close-up shots of those. You may also want to include some photos of yourself wearing the dress so that potential buyers can get a better idea of how it fits.
Including a video is even better than photos, as it showcases how your dress moves and sparkles. You can download the Stillwhite mobile app to manage, chat, and accept sales from anywhere. You can also include a detailed description of the garment, including accurate measurements.
When listing your dress on Borrowing Magnolia, you can upload photos to create a listing for your look. Poshmark is another app and website where you can sell your used clothes. It is easy to create a listing with the app, and you can upload photos in less than a minute. Nearly Newlywed charges a $25 listing fee, and it may take between 24 and 48 hours for them to approve the listing.
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Include a detailed description with measurements
When selling your wedding dress, it is important to include a detailed description, along with accurate measurements, to give prospective buyers a clear idea of what they are purchasing. This is especially important when selling online, as the buyer does not have the benefit of seeing the dress in person or trying it on.
A detailed description should include all the specifics of the dress, such as the designer, style, fabric, colour, silhouette, and any unique features like beading, lace, or embroidery. Be sure to mention any alterations that have been made, as well as the original size and how it has been tailored. If there are any flaws or signs of wear, be sure to disclose these as well.
Accurate measurements are crucial, as they allow the buyer to assess whether the dress will fit them. Measure the bust, waist, hips, and length of the dress, and provide these details in your description. It may also be helpful to include your own body measurements for reference, especially if the dress has been tailored to your specific proportions.
In addition to measurements, you may want to include other sizing details, such as the original size you purchased and whether it fits true to size. This can give buyers a better understanding of how the dress might fit them. If you have altered the dress to accommodate a different size, be sure to mention this in your description as well.
Including these detailed measurements and sizing notes will provide valuable information to prospective buyers, helping them make a more informed decision about whether the dress will be a suitable fit for them. This can increase the likelihood of a successful sale and reduce the risk of returns or disappointed buyers.
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Compare consignment shops and online marketplaces
Consignment shops
Consignment shops are a good local option for selling your wedding dress. They will evaluate your dress and quote a price. If you accept the price, the dress will be placed in the store for sale. Consignment shops will pay you when your dress sells, taking a commission on the sale, which is usually between 20% and 40% of the sale price.
Consignment shops may request exclusivity with your gown or have set rates that don't allow much room for negotiation, so it's important to understand the specific policies of the boutique. If you don't want to spend time managing your listing and negotiating terms with purchasers, a consignment shop may be the right choice for you.
Online marketplaces
Selling your wedding dress online gives you access to a wider range of buyers and can help you get the most money for your gown. However, online marketplaces often charge a fee to list your dress or take a cut of the purchase.
There are many online marketplaces to choose from, each with its own fees and policies. For example, Nearly Newlywed charges a $25 listing fee, a 20% commission fee for standard listings, and a 30% commission fee for premium listings. Poshmark has a 20% flat commission fee for sales over $15, but beware that all sales are final. Tradesy takes a 20% commission and covers shipping and return costs. Still White charges a $25 or $35 listing fee and no commission, allowing you to keep all of the sale.
When selling your wedding dress online, it's important to present it well. Include clear, full-length photos of the dress from every angle, as well as close-up shots of any intricate details. You may also want to include photos of yourself wearing the dress. A detailed description, including accurate measurements, is also crucial.
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Frequently asked questions
Some websites to sell your wedding dress on are Still White, eBay, Vestiare Collective, Borrowing Magnolia, Poshmark, Tradesy, Nearly Newlywed, and Facebook Marketplace.
It's important to include quality photos of your dress from every angle. If there are any intricate details, be sure to take some close-up shots of those. You may also want to include photos of yourself wearing the dress. Additionally, provide a detailed description of the garment, including accurate measurements.
According to Grace Richmond, co-founder of second-hand bridal platform The Loop, brides can expect to make back up to "60 or even 70% of the retail price". However, this depends on the condition of the dress, the designer, and the website you use, as some sites charge a commission fee.
