Key Takeaways
- Selling your bridesmaid dress on platforms like Poshmark or Borrowing Magnolia can help you make extra cash quickly.
- Donating your dress to organizations like Operation Prom or Becca’s Closet can help others attend special events with confidence.
- Repurposing your dress into accessories, home decor, or a new outfit is a creative way to give it new life.
One of the greatest honors in life is being asked by your best friend to be a bridesmaid. From watching them marry the love of their life to creating lifelong memories on the reception dance floor, having a role in the wedding party is truly a special distinction. But once the festivities are over and the post-wedding bliss starts to fade away, you might start to think about what to do with your bridesmaid dress.
In most cases, many bridesmaids choose to keep their ensembles, opting to wear them to another formal affair at a later date. However, if you aren't a huge fan of your dress, or you simply don't have the closet space to store a look you'll likely never wear again, there are many creative ways to repurpose or even say goodbye to your wedding day ensemble. From donating it to a worthy cause to upcycling it, renting it, or even selling it, there are tons of possibilities to consider.
Ahead, we tapped into Risa Kostis, the founder of Risa Kostis Creative, for her expert advice on how to deal with your used wedding party attire. Here's what to do with old bridesmaid dresses.
How to Sell Your Bridesmaid Dress
Instead of having your dress in the back of your closet collecting dust, why not sell it and make some cash? Luckily, there are tons of fashion resale sites available today, and you truly can’t go wrong with any of them. For those who need help narrowing down their options, though, below are some of the top online platforms where you can sell your bridesmaid dress.
If you decide to use any of these online stores, Kostis advises that you “post a lot of clear images, describe the garment in detail, and communicate with the customer to ensure a sale.”
Poshmark
Poshmark is a great option if you’re looking to make a quick buck. What’s great is that you can negotiate with buyers, and Kostis even adds, “This is a great site if you’re willing to negotiate on price, and they handle the shipping label so all you have to do is package and ship.”
Facebook Marketplace
If you’ve yet to delve into the world of Facebook Marketplace, now is the time to explore this incredible platform. All you need to do is create a post describing your dress, and you’ll quickly start to receive messages from people in your area who are interested in purchasing it. “There are so many wedding-related Facebook groups today, and it’s the perfect place to post your item to a large group at once,” Kostis explains. “It’s the perfect resource for crowd-sharing and selling!”
Social Media
Social media (i.e. Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat) is the best option for those who don’t want to spend too much time and energy on selling their bridesmaid dress online. Simply upload a few clear photos to your story and tell people to DM you if they’re interested. “My recommendation is to accept payment via Zelle before shipping to ensure a secure sale if you choose this route,” shares Kostis.
Borrowing Magnolia
Borrowing Magnolia is another great site to look into, as it’s specifically curated to sell wedding-related attire. The best part? Instead of taking a commission, the platform takes a flat fee, so you know exactly how much you'll make once your sale is complete. “The platform is ready-made specifically for wedding attire, so you know they’re working hard behind the scenes to help find a new home for your dress,” notes Kostis.
Luxury Resale Sites
If your bridesmaid dress isn’t a run-of-the-mill ensemble, but, rather, a designer or more expensive look, you might want to consider selling it on a luxury resale site, like The RealReal, Dora Maar, Vestiare Collective, and 1st Dibs. Kostis adds, “If you know you’ll be purchasing a luxury bridesmaid gown, my suggestion is to save the original tags and packaging, know the style name of your piece, and always get it professionally cleaned immediately after wearing it.”
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How to Donate Your Bridesmaid Dress
If you’re in the market to donate your bridesmaid dress, there are scores of amazing non-profit institutions that would love to receive your look. “These organizations not only provide formal attire to [individuals] in need but also help to promote confidence and self-esteem by allowing students to attend important events, like prom and graduation, without financial burden," shares Kostis.
Unsure which organization to contact? We suggest looking into Operation Prom, Becca’s Closet, The Princess Project, Cinderella’s Closet, and Donate My Dress if opting to take the donation route. Each of these places accepts gently used garments that they, in turn, hand over to high school students and people who might need a little bit of help when dressing for prom and other school dances and events.
How to Repurpose Your Bridesmaid Dress
If you consider yourself to be crafty or are willing to take your ensemble to a seamstress, there are a plethora of ways to creatively repurpose your bridesmaid dress.
Make it into a skirt or top.
Deciding to turn your bridesmaid dress into a skirt and/or top isn't as hard as it may sound. Kostis shares, “You can remove the bodice of the dress and turn the skirt portion into a standalone skirt. Alternatively, you can repurpose the fabric to create a new top, such as a bustier or crop top, giving you a fresh, bespoke piece that will commemorate your memory of the wedding.”
Transform it into a cocktail dress.
If your bridesmaid dress is a full-length gown, and you know you'll get more use out of something shorter, consider turning it into a cocktail (or mini) ensemble. “Shorten the hemline, add embellishments or accessories, and adjust the silhouette to create a stylish and versatile garment for future events,” Kostis advises.
Use it to design multiple accessories.
Interested in transforming your dress into multiple pieces? Go the accessories route and use your garment to create a myriad of things, like belts, scarves, earrings, bows, and more. Kostis adds, “You can also repurpose decorative elements like beads, sequins, or lace to adorn other clothing items or create statement pieces like statement necklaces or earrings. Bows are still having a moment and they’re so easy to make out of essentially every fabric.”
Create home décor.
For those who are really creative, use the fabric of your bridesmaid dress to make a throw pillow or other home decorative items. Kostis also loves the idea of making something sentimental and storing it as a wedding keepsake. “One of my all-time favorite gifts was an ornament made by my best friend’s mother out of the fabric we all wore for our bridesmaid dresses," she shares. "She customized it with the couples’ wedding date and their names, and I think about their wedding every time I decorate my Christmas tree.”
How to Rent Out Your Bridesmaid Dress
Finally, you can also consider renting out your bridesmaid dress to make an extra bit of cash—without having to part way with your ensemble forever. This is easy to do on Instagram stories, in particular, and can be used for anyone looking for a dress to wear to a myriad of occasions. “If you have a website, social media account, or some kind of platform, and can create a simple contract, this might be an excellent option and a great way to recoup the cost of your dress,” shares Kostis.
Before putting your dress up to rent, however, there are a few things you'll need to know. For starters, you should always document the condition of your dress ahead of shipping it out, as that will help you assess the condition of your garment once it's returned—whether or not there's excessive wear and tear. Additionally, always dry clean the ensemble in between uses, and "price accordingly and understand that the more you rent it, the more wear and tear the garment will endure," notes Kosis.
