Rhiannon Hendricks
There are many reasons why someone would want to sell their wedding dress. It could be in the name of sustainability, to give the gown to another bride to enjoy, or to earn back some of the money spent on the dress. The price a used wedding dress sells for depends on a variety of factors, including the designer, condition, and listing price. There are many online and brick-and-mortar options for selling wedding dresses, including consignment shops, thrift stores, charity shops, and online marketplaces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Online vs. brick-and-mortar | Online marketplaces offer a wider selection of gowns, but local consignment salons allow buyers to see the dress in person before buying. |
| Selling experience | Online marketplaces require more work from the seller, including creating listings, answering messages, and dealing with shipping. Local consignment salons handle these tasks but may offer a lower price. |
| Time | Online marketplaces and consignment shops typically only accept gowns that are less than three to five years old. |
| Condition | Pre-owned gowns may not be in perfect condition, and potential alterations can be costly. |
| Listing price | The listing price can be challenging to determine, and sellers may need to lower the price to make a sale. |
| Fees and commissions | Some platforms charge a listing fee, while others take a commission on the sale price. Stillwhite, for example, charges a $20 listing fee but no commission, while Tradesy has no upfront selling fee but takes a 19.8% commission on items sold for over $50. |
| Payment methods | Accepting payments through trusted methods and documenting conversations with buyers can help protect sellers in case of a dispute. |
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What You'll Learn
Online vs. in-person resale options
There are several options for selling a wedding dress, both online and in person. Online options include websites such as Nearly Newlywed, Stillwhite, eBay, Poshmark, The RealReal, and Vestiare Collective. These platforms allow sellers to list their dresses for a fee and often provide tools to facilitate the sale, such as secure payment methods and direct messaging with buyers. Some sites, like Nearly Newlywed, offer a full-service experience by handling all buyer interactions and shipping for a more hands-off approach.
On the other hand, selling a wedding dress in person typically involves bringing it to local bridal resale shops or consignment salons. This option may be preferable for those who want a faster sale and are willing to forego the potential for a larger audience that online platforms offer. By visiting local shops, sellers can speak with professionals about the resale value of their dress and may even have the opportunity to sell it directly to the shop for addition to their inventory of used gowns.
When deciding between online and in-person resale options, it's essential to consider the benefits and drawbacks of each. Online platforms offer a broader reach and a more extensive selection of dresses, but the process can be time-consuming, and it may be challenging to stand out among the competition. In-person options provide a more immediate and personalised experience, but the pool of potential buyers is limited to those who physically visit the shop.
Additionally, it's worth noting that the bridal resale market tends to be slower than the average market due to the limited number of potential buyers. As such, it may be advantageous to list a dress across multiple platforms to increase its exposure. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual preferences, the desired level of involvement in the selling process, and the desired timeframe for the sale.
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Factors affecting the resale value
Several factors influence the resale value of a used wedding dress. Here are some key considerations:
- Condition: The condition of the dress plays a crucial role in its resale value. Pre-owned wedding gowns have been worn before, and buyers expect some wear and tear. Minor issues like missing buttons or loose threads may not significantly impact the price, but more extensive alterations or damage could make the dress harder to sell or command a lower price. Savvy buyers will consider whether the cost of repairs or alterations is worth the discount they're getting.
- Age and Style: Wedding dress styles evolve rapidly, and what was trendy a year or two ago may already look dated. Most online marketplaces and consignment shops have age limits for the dresses they accept, typically not accepting gowns more than three to five years old. The closer a dress is to the current trends and styles, the more desirable it will be to buyers, potentially fetching a higher price.
- Brand and Designer: The brand and designer of the wedding dress can significantly impact its resale value. Well-known and sought-after designers like Vera Wang or Pronovias may command higher prices in the secondhand market. The exclusivity and reputation of certain brands can also influence the resale price.
- Original Price and Quality: The original price and quality of the wedding dress can factor into its resale value. A dress that was initially more expensive due to its intricate details, high-quality fabrics, or unique craftsmanship may still be valued higher in the secondhand market. Buyers may perceive these dresses as more luxurious or worth investing in, even when pre-owned.
- Rarity and Uniqueness: Wedding dresses that are rare or unique can often demand a higher resale price. This could include vintage gowns, dresses from limited editions or exclusive collections, or those with one-of-a-kind customizations. If a buyer is specifically seeking a particular style or designer that is no longer widely available, they may be willing to pay a premium.
- Size and Alterability: The size of the wedding dress and its potential for alterations can affect its resale value. A dress that fits the standard bridal sizes or can be easily altered by a seamstress may appeal to a broader range of buyers. However, extensive alterations may deter buyers or require a lower price to compensate for the additional costs and challenges of altering the gown.
These factors, along with the seller's asking price and the platform they choose to sell on from various options available, will influence the resale value of a used wedding dress. It's essential to research similar dresses, consider the current market trends, and set realistic expectations when determining the asking price.
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Popular online marketplaces
There are several online marketplaces that allow users to sell their wedding dresses. Here are some of the most popular options:
Nearly Newlywed
Nearly Newlywed is a user-friendly platform that allows sellers to submit their wedding dress measurements, a description, and photos. Once a listing is approved, the website handles all buyer interactions and shipping. The website also sells wedding-related jewellery and accessories.
Stillwhite
Stillwhite is a marketplace specifically for used wedding dresses. It offers a wide range of wedding dresses from various designers. The website lets users browse by dress condition and does not charge any commission or monthly fees. However, there is a listing fee, and typical transaction fees apply to payments received through PayPal.
Borrowing Magnolia
Borrowing Magnolia is a resale wedding dress site that allows users to shop for used wedding dresses or list their own. The platform also offers a dress value calculator to help determine the potential worth of a dress. Borrowing Magnolia also allows users to buy and sell bridesmaid dresses.
Poshmark
Poshmark is a popular resale platform for clothing, accessories, beauty, and home decor. It also has a smaller selection of used wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. Poshmark offers a user-friendly app and free listing, and provides pre-paid labels for shipping. For items over $20, the platform takes a 20% commission that covers shipping, payment fees, and buyer protection.
PreOwnedWeddingDresses
PreOwnedWeddingDresses is one of the largest online marketplaces for preloved wedding gowns, facilitating over 40,000 sales with an average sell time of 70 days. The platform charges a flat fee of $25 to list a dress, plus a 20% commission to cover shipping, logistics, payment processing fees, and sale support. Payments are made via PayPal, and the platform provides a pre-paid and insured shipping label.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a local online marketplace that allows users to buy and sell wedding dresses within their area. This option eliminates the hassle of shipping and allows buyers to try on the dress before purchasing. However, the pool of buyers may be smaller, which could result in a longer selling time and potentially lower price.
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Pros and cons of different platforms
There are both online and brick-and-mortar options for selling used wedding dresses. If you want to sell your wedding dress in person, you can consider local consignment salons, thrift stores, or bridal resale shops. However, if you want to reach a wider audience and have access to a large selection of gowns, online marketplaces are a better option. Here are the pros and cons of different platforms for selling used wedding dresses:
Local Consignment Salons and Thrift Stores
Pros:
- No need to be digitally savvy or deal with the complexities of online listings.
- You can interact with potential buyers directly and negotiate the price.
- You may find a buyer who is emotionally connected to the dress and values it more subjectively.
Cons:
- Limited customer reach, which may result in a longer waiting time to find a buyer.
- You may need to visit multiple shops to find one that is willing to buy your dress, and the resale value offered may vary.
- There is a possibility of earning less profit due to the store's cut or commission.
Online Marketplaces
Pros:
- Wider audience reach, increasing the chances of finding a buyer quickly.
- Online platforms often provide authentication and secure payment methods, ensuring safe transactions.
- Some websites, like Stillwhite, offer all-inclusive listing fees with no additional commissions, allowing you to keep all the profits.
- You can showcase your dress with detailed descriptions, measurements, photos, and even videos to attract buyers.
- Online marketplaces are convenient, especially if you have a busy schedule, as you can manage sales from anywhere.
Cons:
- Online scams or fraudulent activities may occur despite monitoring and security measures.
- You may need to pay listing or upgrade fees on some websites, such as Stillwhite, which charges a $25 basic listing fee and a $35 premium listing fee.
- The competition is higher online, with numerous dresses available, which may make it challenging for your listing to stand out.
- Shipping logistics and costs should be considered, especially if you're selling internationally.
Popular Online Platforms for Used Wedding Dresses:
- Stillwhite: Accepts wedding dresses of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Offers a straightforward listing process with no commission, and you set the selling price.
- Nearly Newlywed: Handles all buyer interactions and shipping for sellers, providing a stress-free experience. They also offer an authentication process to ensure buyers receive genuine products.
- EBay and Poshmark: Well-known resale platforms that may come to mind first, but there are also specialized wedding gown websites like Stillwhite and Nearly Newlywed.
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The process of selling
If you want to sell your dress online, there are several websites that can help you connect with potential buyers. Nearly Newlywed, for example, is a marketplace for used wedding dresses that handles all buyer interactions and shipping. The application process is simple: sellers submit their measurements, a description of the wedding dress, and photos of the gown. If the listing is approved, Nearly Newlywed takes care of the rest, answering any buyer questions and shipping the dress directly. The website also sells wedding-related jewelry and accessories. Another similar website is Borrowing Magnolia, which lets you list your used wedding dress for free. The brand believes that brides with similar styles can help each other save money, and their dress value calculator can help you determine what your dress is worth. From there, you can upload photos to create a listing. Poshmark is another online marketplace for secondhand fashion that has a smaller selection of used wedding dresses for sale.
If you want to sell your dress without the assistance of a third-party website, you can create a listing on sites like Stillwhite, which has over 96,000 items listed for sale and charges a small one-off fee. On Stillwhite, you can set your own selling price and receive messages from buyers while keeping your contact details private. The website also offers a mobile app that allows you to manage, chat, and accept sales from anywhere. All activity on Stillwhite is monitored for fraud and suspicious behaviour, and the website does not charge any commission or ongoing monthly fees. Typical transaction fees apply to payments received through PayPal.
Finally, if you're not interested in making a commission from the sale of your dress, you can consider giving it to a local consignment salon, thrift store, or donating it to charity.
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Frequently asked questions
You can sell your wedding dress online on websites like Stillwhite, Wedding Bee, PreOwned Wedding Dresses, Nearly Newlywed, and Poshmark. You can also sell it to local consignment shops, thrift stores, or bridal salons.
Most websites charge a one-time listing fee ranging from $20 to $35. However, some websites like Wedding Bee and Poshmark offer free listings.
The selling price of your wedding dress depends on various factors such as its condition, style, and designer. You can use a wedding dress value calculator or a site's valuation tool to get an estimate. Remember that lowering the price can help you sell the dress faster.
It is important to act quickly as most online marketplaces and consignment shops only accept dresses that are less than three to five years old. You should also be prepared to spend time creating listings, answering buyer questions, and shipping the dress.
You can receive payment through trusted methods such as PayPal or online secure payment systems offered by certain websites. You may also be able to set your own payment methods and handle shipping yourself.
