Franklin Dean
Wedding dresses are often seen as the most personal article of clothing a person will ever own, and many people keep them for years due to emotional attachment. However, with the ever-growing popularity of resale, more and more brides are choosing to sell their dresses after their big day. Brides can expect to make back up to 50% or 60% or 70% of the retail price, and selling is also a more sustainable option, as it extends the lifespan of the dress and offsets the resources needed to make a new one. However, it can be hard to sell a used dress, and some people may prefer to keep their dress to pass down to their children or to re-wear for a vow renewal. Ultimately, the decision to sell a wedding dress is a personal one and depends on various factors, including sentimentality, space, and financial considerations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to sell | Financial gain, space-saving, sustainability, offset the resources needed to make a new dress, recoup some of the costs, allow another bride to enjoy it, recoup wedding funds, save money |
| Reasons not to sell | Sentimentality, pass down to children, re-wear for vow renewal, donate later, difficulty selling due to size/alterations, limited market for second-hand dresses, dresses may lose value over time |
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What You'll Learn
Sentimental value
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day is a very personal decision. Many brides choose to keep their wedding dresses due to the sentimental value attached to them.
A wedding dress is often considered the most personal article of clothing one will ever own. It is chosen specifically for one of the most important days of one's life and is often a costly purchase. For these reasons, it can be difficult to part with your wedding dress, and many brides choose to keep theirs for years, hoping to pass it down to their children or nieces in the future.
If you are unsure about selling your wedding dress, it is recommended to hold off on making a decision. You could consider having your dress professionally cleaned and preserved to maintain its beauty long-term. This will also increase the likelihood of selling your dress in the future if you decide to do so.
Some brides who want to keep their wedding dresses but don't want them to sit in storage have found creative ways to repurpose their gowns. Some popular options include framing the bodice of the dress with other wedding mementos, shortening the dress to wear to future events, or using the fabric to create something new, such as lingerie, necklaces, or pillows.
Ultimately, the decision to sell your wedding dress or keep it for sentimental reasons is a personal one. If you are unsure, it may be helpful to consider your reasons for wanting to sell and the emotional attachment you have to the dress.
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Resale value
The resale value of a wedding dress depends on a variety of factors. Firstly, the condition of the dress is important. It is recommended to have the dress professionally cleaned immediately after the wedding to prevent stains or marks from becoming permanent. Additionally, some dress agencies that sell more expensive labels may not accept dresses over a certain age or that have been worn before.
The style and size of the dress also play a role in its resale value. Classic styles that are not overly bridal may be more appealing to buyers who wish to wear them to other formal events. Additionally, dresses that are made to specific measurements or are in less common sizes may have a smaller pool of potential buyers.
The original price and brand of the dress can also impact its resale value. High-end designer dresses from well-known boutiques may have a higher resale value, with brides able to recoup up to 60% to 70% of the retail price, according to Grace Richmond, co-founder of the second-hand bridal platform The Loop. However, it is important to note that there is a limited market for second-hand wedding dresses, and some buyers may prefer to purchase a new dress at a lower price point rather than a used one.
To maximise the resale value, it is recommended to list the dress on multiple platforms online, such as specialised resale sites like Still White and Vestiare Collective, or auction sites like eBay. Each platform has its own customer demographics, rules, and commission structures, so it is worth researching which one will work best for the specific dress in question.
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Sustainability
Wedding dresses are often considered the most personal article of clothing a person will ever own, and many people hold on to them for years due to emotional attachment. However, given the ever-growing popularity of resale, many brides are choosing to sell their dresses after their big day. From a sustainability perspective, selling your wedding dress is a no-brainer: by allowing other brides to wear your gown, you're extending its lifespan and offsetting the resources needed to make a brand-new dress.
If you're considering selling your wedding dress, it's important to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, ensure that your dress is in pristine condition, as this will help it find a new home after your wedding. Have your dress professionally cleaned by a trusted dry cleaner immediately after your wedding to prevent any stains or marks from becoming permanent. Secondly, consider the wearability of your ensemble. If you wore a simple white slip dress, you may be able to save it and wear it to an event in the future. However, if you donned a princess-like gown with a huge full skirt, it might be challenging to re-wear without alterations.
If you're not ready to part with your dress but want to extend its lifespan, there are a few alternatives to selling. You could have it altered to wear again, either by dying it or shortening it. This way, you can still get use out of the dress while also preserving the memories it holds. Another option is to donate your dress to a charity that uses wedding dresses to create small gowns for stillborn babies. This is a charitable act that allows your dress to bring joy to another family.
If you decide to keep your dress, proper preservation is key. Even if stains aren't immediately visible, they can oxidize and become more prominent over time. Have your gown professionally cleaned and preserved as soon as possible to maintain its beauty long-term. You could also frame your dress or display it in a shadow box, turning it into a keepsake or a piece of decor that you can admire for years to come.
Ultimately, the decision to sell your wedding dress is a personal one. If you're unsure, take your time to contemplate the pros and cons and consider seeking expert advice.
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Storage
The decision to sell a wedding dress is often influenced by factors such as sentimentality, storage, and financial considerations. While some brides choose to keep their dresses as cherished memories, others may view the dress as an investment and be willing to part with it after their wedding.
For those who decide to keep their wedding dress, proper storage is essential to maintain its beauty and integrity over time. Wedding dresses are susceptible to damage from temperature and humidity fluctuations, which can result in mould, mildew, and fabric deterioration. Basements and attics should be avoided due to their unstable environments. Instead, it is recommended to store the dress in a cool, dry, and dark place, using acid-free tissue paper and an acid-free archival box or a breathable fabric garment bag for short-term storage. For heavy or beaded gowns, a bridal dress storage box is ideal as it supports the weight and shape of the dress. Lightweight silk or sheath gowns can be stored in a breathable garment bag for the short term.
If you are considering selling your wedding dress, it is important to note that the resale market for second-hand wedding dresses is limited. People often prefer to buy a new dress at a lower price rather than a used one. Additionally, the resale value of a wedding dress tends to decrease over time, so selling it promptly after the wedding is advisable. To enhance the appeal of your dress to potential buyers, ensure it is in pristine condition by having it professionally cleaned and preserved before listing it for sale.
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Alterations
Deciding what to do with your wedding dress after your big day can be a difficult decision. Some brides choose to keep their dresses, hoping to pass them down to their children or to wear them again for vow renewals. However, given the ever-growing popularity of resale, many brides are now choosing to sell their dresses.
If you're considering selling your wedding dress, it's important to note that less is more when it comes to alterations. The closer your dress is to its original state, the more marketable it will be. Brides buying second-hand gowns will have an easier time altering the dress if they're a smaller size than you, so sizing down is generally a better option than sizing up. Additionally, if your dress has been heavily altered, it may not be possible for another bride to alter it further to fit their body.
If you're unsure about selling your dress, you may want to consider other options first. Some brides choose to have their dresses preserved by framing them or displaying them in a shadow box with other wedding mementos. This allows them to keep their dress as a souvenir or piece of decor while also freeing up closet space. You could also remove the bodice of the dress and frame it, or use the leftover fabric to make something new, such as lingerie, necklaces, or pillows.
Another option is to donate your dress to a charity that creates small gowns for stillborn babies. This is a generous act that allows your dress to bring joy to another family during a difficult time. However, keep in mind that some charities may not be accepting donations at certain times due to influxes in donations after publicity campaigns.
Ultimately, the decision to sell your wedding dress is a personal one. If you choose to sell, be sure to have your dress professionally cleaned and preserved to ensure it's in pristine condition for its new owner. You can also consider wearing a different dress for your wedding reception to keep your main gown in perfect shape.
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Frequently asked questions
It's not weird to sell your wedding dress. In fact, it's a growing trend, with thousands of brides choosing to sell their dresses after their big day. Brides can expect to make back up to 60-70% of the retail price.
There are several reasons why someone might sell their wedding dress. Firstly, it's a way to recoup some of the costs of the wedding. Secondly, it saves storage space, especially if it's a large dress. Thirdly, from a sustainability perspective, it's a way to extend the lifespan of the dress and offset the resources needed to make a new one.
Some alternatives to selling a wedding dress include:
- Donating it to a charity that uses wedding dresses to create small gowns for stillborn babies.
- Keeping it as a souvenir or heirloom to pass down to future children or nieces.
- Framing the dress or certain parts of it as a keepsake or piece of decor.
- Reworking the dress to wear to other events, such as dying it or shortening it.
