Comments on: What did you do with your bridesmaid dress after the wedding?

By: Wedding Plannner and now B2B too

Wedding Plannner and now B2B too — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:31:29 +0000

You can try selling it, or bring it to a consignment store (prom time is a good time)

You can have it altered to something youd wear again maybe

By: ∞Infinity∞

∞Infinity∞ — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:37:16 +0000

I’ve been a bridesmaid twice. The first time, the bride chose dresses that were versatile enough to be worn again, but I haven’t worn it in years (probably because that marriage ended in divorce, but I don’t know why I haven’t given it away). The second one was really formal and it was too small. The bride found these dresses on a clearance rack, so the sizes were limited and I had to squeeze into it for the day. It didn’t look like it was too small for me, but it was small enough for me to not wear again. I think I still have that one too. I think they will eventually end up in a thrift store. I mean, after keeping them all these years, what’s the point?

If you have limited space, try to sell the dress or give it away. If you have plenty of space and you feel guilty giving the dress away, keep it. You never know. The opportunity to wear it again might come along.

By: marietta

marietta — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:10:36 +0000

I plan to wear mine again at a Christmas party this year (my company holds formal-attire parties at a country club, lol without the dress I wouldn’t have much to wear) and also I graduate this year, I plan to wear it at my grad party.

Do you sew? You could alter it yourself or if you like the fabric you could make something else out of it. Might seem like a waste to make throw pillows out of that fabric, but if you can’t sell the dress and KNOW you will not wear it again, you might just want to do that.
Or keep it in your closet for the memories.

By: Elsie

Elsie — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 15:28:29 +0000

It depends on how “bridesmaid-y” it is. If it’s a 2 piece and the fabric isn’t too shiny, you could have the skirt hemmed to the knee and wear it out to a nice dinner. You could wear the top out dancing with some nice jeans and heels.

If it’s too formal to “dress down” for everyday wear, you could wear it to a holiday party.

Other than that, you could try to sell it at a wedding consignment shop. Check the yellow pages under weddings or under apparel-women’s-consignment.

You could also donate it. There is an organization that collects formal gowns for girls who can’t afford a dress for their high school prom, homecoming, etc. I’m not personally familiar with it, but I’ve heard about it on other wedding boards. I did a quick search and found the link to the article below.

By: Bridal Muffin - 11/21/09

Bridal Muffin - 11/21/09 — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:44:20 +0000

Well you might be able to wear the top, if you like it with dressy jeans when you go out. I think that is the theory behind those two-piece bridesmaids outfits. If you don’t think you will wear it again, there is no harm in trying to sell it. Either that or you could alter it into something you’d like to wear/could use around the house.

Good Luck!

By: truefirstedition

truefirstedition — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:15:53 +0000

I donated one that I knew I would never wear again (to one of those charities that gives formal dresses to young underprivileged women for prom).

By: SuzyQ

SuzyQ — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:07:28 +0000

I used mine for a Halloween costume. It was great! Then I donated it to Good Will.

By: teacherjen2004

teacherjen2004 — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:11:53 +0000

Right now all 3 of the bridesmaid dresses I’ve worn are hanging in the closet. One of these days I should do something with them.

Options: Selling on eBay or another auction site would get you some financial return, although you likely wouldn’t recoup your financial cost for the dress. You could also consider donating it to a local charity, the Salvation Army, or a second-hand clothing store. You can feel good about helping someone out who may need a bridesmaid dress or at least a special occasion dress, plus you can get documentation from the place you donate to and write the donation off on your taxes. The fact that it’s hemmed shouldn’t be a problem – a talented seamstress should be able to fix the skirt to be an attractive tea-length for a taller person.

By: y2-y1

y2-y1 — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:44:18 +0000

Miss Anne,

I totally feel your pain! I have 3 girls and a boat load of old formals, bridesmaid dresses, even wedding dresses and a homecoming dress!

We actually sold some in a garage sale, but kept the others, loan them out sometimes, but mostly just shove them to the back of the closet.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:09:54 +0000

I have 3 identical dresses in 3 different sizes hanging in our closet right now (have been for 5 yrs) – my 3 daughters were in their cousin’s wedding. Dresses are light purple with dark purple trim, $ 200 each and we all knew they’d never wear them ever again for anything. Have no clue what to do with them, but we could outfit another wedding party with them! My daughter just added to this a smurf blue gown that she recently wore as a bridesmaid to a wedding she was in. (I’m sure there are more to come). It was a really pretty dress style but being smurf blue just screams bridesmaid. WHY!!

(Add to those all the prom and dance dresses for 3 daughters throughout high school – I really need to do something with all those dresses!)

My daughter is currently planning her wedding and is very intent that the bridesmaids dresses will be something the girls like, in a style and color that they’ll have no trouble wearing again or wanting to wear again.

Sorry – no help at all to your question, just venting I guess! I’ll sure be looking for suggestions.