Franklin Dean
A wedding dress is often one of the most expensive purchases a bride will make, and after the big day, it can be painful to imagine it collecting dust in the closet. Luckily, there are many options for selling your used wedding dress online, from marketplaces like Stillwhite and Poshmark to consignment shops like Borrowing Magnolia and Kleinfeld Bridal. When pricing your dress, it's important to consider its original cost, current condition, and the designer's reputation. Calculators and value estimators can help you determine a fair price, and including more photos and details in your listing will make it more attractive to potential buyers. With the right approach to selling your wedding gown, you can recover some of your investment while giving your beloved dress a new life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | The more famous and prominent the designer, the more it will be worth. |
| Original Price | The more expensive the dress was originally, the more it will be worth. |
| Condition | A used gown in great condition and less than 2 years old can sell for 50% of the retail price. |
| Age | The newer the style, the easier it will be to sell. |
| Cleanliness | A professionally cleaned dress will be worth more. |
| Authenticity | A genuine designer dress will be worth more. |
| Popularity | A dress from a prominent designer will be worth more. |
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What You'll Learn
Online wedding dress calculators
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress and want to get an idea of its resale value, there are several online calculators that can help. These calculators will take into account various factors such as the label, date of purchase, price paid, and whether the dress has been cleaned. Here are some options to try:
PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com Wedding Dress Value Calculator
This calculator, featured on PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, takes into account factors such as the label, date purchased, price paid, and other characteristics to estimate a fair starting price for your gown. The site has also been used by celebrities, such as Beyonce, who sold her crystal-encrusted Baracci gown for $30,000 (originally priced at $85,000).
Stillwhite Wedding Dress Estimator
Stillwhite's wedding dress estimator promises to help you earn up to 90% of your dress's retail price. While there are no specific details on the factors this calculator takes into account, it can still provide a quick estimate of your dress's value.
Nearly Newlywed Wedding Dress Value Calculator
Nearly Newlywed also offers a wedding dress value calculator, though there are no specific details on the factors it considers when estimating the resale value of your gown.
These online wedding dress calculators can provide a good starting point for determining the resale value of your wedding dress. However, it's important to keep in mind that the actual resale price may vary depending on the condition of your dress, market demand, and other factors.
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Selling to consignment shops
If you're looking to sell your wedding dress locally, consignment shops are a great option. Local consignment shops are your best bet for getting your dress in front of local buyers looking specifically for a wedding dress.
One of the downsides of local wedding dress consignment shops is that they charge fairly steep fees for helping you sell your wedding dress. Many shops charge a commission rate in the range of 40% to 60% of the final sale price of the dress. For example, a bridal shop in New Jersey called Hand-Me-Gowns Bridal sells dresses on consignment for approximately 30% less than their original retail price. Once the dress is sold, they split the sale 60/40 with the seller, or 50/50 in the case of an older dress (2 to 4 years old).
If you consign your dress, the shop will take care of all the marketing, including taking pictures and videos of the dress, editing them, posting them, and writing captions and tags. They will also handle arranging meet-ups with potential buyers.
If your wedding dress is 20 years or older, you may be able to sell it or consign with a vintage store.
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$86.99
Selling on eBay or Craigslist
Selling your wedding dress on either eBay or Craigslist is a great way to get some extra cash and pass on your dress to another bride. It is also an eco-friendly way to ensure your dress is re-used.
Firstly, you will need to decide on a price. There are online calculators available that can help you to work out the resale value of your dress. These calculators take into account factors such as the label, date purchased, price paid, and whether or not the dress has been cleaned. As a general rule, a used gown should be priced at around 50% of its retail value, provided it is less than two years old, has been cleaned, and is in great condition.
If you are selling on Craigslist, you should place your ad in the "for sale" section under the )"clothing" category. Include multiple photos of the dress, and, if possible, a photo of someone modelling it. You should also include a detailed description of the dress, including the brand, size, length, style name, retail price, year purchased, whether it has been altered or worn before, whether it has been cleaned, and whether it has been stored in a smoke-free environment. You should also include your general location and the price you are asking. You can state whether the price is firm or whether you are open to the highest offer.
If you are selling on eBay, you will need to create a listing for your dress. Be sure to include detailed information about the dress, including the brand, size, length, style, and any other relevant details. You should also include multiple photos of the dress, from different angles, to give potential buyers a clear idea of what they are buying. It is worth taking the time to write a good description and take attractive photos, as this will help your listing stand out from the many other wedding dresses on eBay.
It is worth noting that selling your wedding dress may not be the best option if you have strong sentimental feelings towards it. Many people choose to keep their dresses in storage, with the hope of passing them down to their children. However, if you are not attached to the dress, or if you are simply looking to recoup some of the costs of your wedding, then selling your dress can be a great option.
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Selling on specialist sites
There are several online specialist sites where you can sell your used wedding dress. These include StillWhite.com, PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, NearlyNewlywed.com, and Tradesy.com. StillWhite has over 60,000 listings and features pre-owned wedding dresses from a wide range of designers. PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is where celebrities such as Beyonce have sold their gowns. Nearly Newlywed has a wedding dress value calculator to help you determine the price of your dress.
Tradesy takes a 20% commission on sales and covers shipping and return costs. It also offers a money-back guarantee if wedding items are inauthentic. StillWhite also has a wedding dress estimator, which can help you work out how much your dress is worth. Borrowing Magnolia is another site that lets you list your used wedding dress. It also has a dress value calculator.
When selling on specialist sites, it's important to maximise the value of your dress by having it professionally cleaned. You should also provide several photos and a detailed description. It's recommended that you try to sell your dress within 2.5 years of buying it, while the style is still current. The more famous the designer, the more likely you are to get a good price for your dress.
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Authentication and listing fees
When it comes to selling your used wedding dress, there are a variety of online platforms to choose from, each with its own authentication and listing fees. Here is a detailed breakdown of the fees charged by some of the popular platforms:
Nearly Newlywed:
Nearly Newlywed is an online marketplace for selling preloved, sample, and new wedding dresses. They offer a comprehensive and user-friendly service. The listing fee is typically $20, and once the dress is sold, they charge a commission of 30% to 40% on the sale price. Additionally, they provide seller protection, including shipping insurance, dress authentication, and communication with buyers.
Still White:
Still White is one of the most popular platforms for buying and selling preloved wedding dresses, featuring thousands of dresses from various designers. They charge a flat fee for listing your dress, which is typically around $20 for a standard listing and $30 for a premium listing. There is no commission taken from the sale, and you have the option to pay a higher fee for premium placement on the homepage.
PreOwned Wedding Dresses:
PreOwned Wedding Dresses is one of the largest online marketplaces for preloved wedding gowns, connecting buyers and sellers of new, sample, and used wedding dresses. They charge a one-time listing fee of $25 but do not take any commission from the sale. They also provide a wedding dress value calculator to help you determine an appropriate selling price.
Poshmark:
Poshmark is a website and app where you can sell used wedding dresses and other clothing items. Listing on Poshmark is free, but they charge a commission on sales. For sales under $15, the commission is a flat rate of $2.95, while for sales over $15, they take a 20% commission. Buyers cover shipping costs, and Poshmark provides a prepaid shipping label. However, Poshmark does not have an authentication process, so buyers should be cautious.
Tradesy:
Tradesy is a fashion-forward website geared towards designer brands, offering a streamlined interface for buying and selling preloved wedding dresses. While they do not charge any upfront selling fees, they take a 19.8% commission on items sold for more than $50. They provide suggestions to improve your listings and automatically enhance your photos to make them stand out.
When choosing a platform to sell your used wedding dress, it is important to consider factors such as commission fees, shipping policies, seller and buyer protection, and the platform's user base and activity. These factors can impact your overall selling experience and the final amount you earn from the sale of your dress.
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Frequently asked questions
The value of a used wedding dress depends on its original cost, current condition, age, brand value, and alterations made. It is recommended to get your wedding dress professionally cleaned before selling it, as it can sell twice as quickly. You can also use online tools such as wedding dress value calculators to help you determine its value.
When pricing your wedding dress, consider its original cost, current condition, and any alterations made. The resale price of a wedding dress typically ranges from 40-60% of its original retail price. You can start by pricing your dress slightly above your ideal selling price to allow room for negotiation.
To sell your wedding dress quickly, you can turn to local bridal resale shops or online marketplaces that buy wedding dresses. You can also browse online platforms to find a bridal salon that specializes in consignment wedding dresses.
When selling your wedding dress, mention the designer, silhouette, style, size, and any special features or customizations. Include clear and well-lit photos of the dress from various angles. You can also include veils, belts, or jewelry to add value to your package.
