What to Do With Bridesmaid Dresses
Being a bridesmaid in your friend’s wedding is great. It’s a wonderful way to share in such a joyful occasion! There are so many wonderful memories: the bachelorette party, getting ready together, standing next to her as she says “I do”, maybe shedding a couple of tears (if you’re anything like me– I’m pretty sure I’ve cried at every wedding I’ve ever been to).
There’s one part of being in a wedding that’s a little tricky to navigate though, and you’ve probably asked yourself the question after each one: what do I do with my bridesmaid dress?
Deciding what to do with bridesmaid dresses after the wedding is often an afterthought amidst all the other wedding planning. I get it– you don’t want your bridesmaid dress to go to waste. Usually they’re pretty expensive, and it seems wasteful to get rid of your dress after only wearing it once.
Your dress doesn’t have to end up in the trash. You could repurpose it (if you’re even a little crafty), donate it, or even sell it. All of these options keep bridesmaids dresses out of landfills, and can help out other future bridesmaids as well.
With that in mind, here’s a guide to what to do with old bridesmaid dresses so they stop taking up room in your closet.
Repurpose (and Rewear) Your Dress
Update Your Dress
If you’re comfortable using a sewing machine and can do some basic techniques, the opportunities for what to do with your bridesmaid dress are nearly endless!
You can shorten the hemline to turn a floor length dress into a cute cocktail dress. You might even be able to turn your bridesmaid dress into a wedding guest dress with this method. Cutting off sleeves, adjusting the neckline, or adding a slit to the skirt are also great options for making a formal dress more wearable.
Even if you don’t know how to sew, there are still plenty of things you can do with your old bridesmaid dress. If you have a hot glue gun, you’re good to go. You can glue sequins onto part of your dress to completely transform how it looks. Ribbons are also a good option. Simply tie some bows around the straps to make a dress less formal, or hot glue bows on the sleeves or neckline for an adorable touch.
If the color is the biggest issue with your dress, you can also dye the entire thing with just a bottle of rit dye, some water, and a bucket. Or if boho-chic is more your style, you can do a tie-dyed or ombre effect on the skirt.
Create Your Next Halloween Costume
Depending on the color and style of your dress and your creativity, a bridesmaid dress could easily become your next Halloween costume! Instead of buying yourself a costume, you can save yourself a few bucks by wearing your bridesmaid dress as is, or making some minor updates.
Turn It Into Something Else Entirely
If you already have too many dresses, or your bridesmaid dress is just decidedly not your style, you can upcycle the fabric in your dress into something else that you’ll be more likely to use.
You can cut out the fabric in the skirt to create some fun decorative pillows and bandanas, or update your dining room with a new table runner, placemats, and cloth napkins.
For the sentimental among us, you can frame all or part of your dress and display it as wall art. If you frame a scrap behind one of the wedding photos, it could make a great gift for the bride or fellow bridesmaids.
Donate It
If you just want your bridesmaid dress out of your house, and fast, donating it is a great way to keep it out of the landfills and give someone else a chance to enjoy it. You can drop it off at a local thrift store collection center, or search for an organization near you that provides prom and formalwear to those who may not be able to afford it.
Please wash all clothing before you donate it. Especially if, you know, you were in an outdoor summer wedding…
Resell It
For those who aren’t in a rush and are looking to make a little extra money, selling your bridesmaid dress is a great choice. You can ask around at local consignment shops in your neighborhood, list it on Facebook marketplace, or use an online marketplace specifically for clothing.
Make sure you wash your dress or take it to the dry cleaner, and consider steaming it so you can take attractive photos.
Speaking of photos, make sure they’re clear, well-lit, and don’t have a cluttered background.
Put It in Storage
This might not be the right option for everyone, but if you have the space, you can just store your bridesmaid wedding dress away. You never know, you might end up using it in the future. Maybe you’ll be in another wedding with a similar color scheme, or have a gala to attend. Taste and trends can also change, so if you don’t love it today, you might be a big fan in the future.
So, if you have a big closet a la 27 Dresses, that’s certainly a path you can take.
Consider Renting Your Dress
If you’re reading this as part of your research ahead of time, or might be a bridesmaid again in the future, you might think about renting your bridesmaid dress for the wedding you’re in. Unfortunately this isn’t a very common option yet, but it’s worth looking into or asking bridal boutiques if it’s a service they offer.
Do You Know What To Do With Your Bridesmaid Dress?
Not every option is right for every person and dress! The best choice for what to do with your old bridesmaid dress might even be a combination of options from this list: maybe you list your dress and then keep it in storage until you sell it, or cut off some length from the skirt to make a cocktail dress, then use the fabric to make a bandana or scarf!
Getting dressed up and taking beautiful photos is a lovely tradition. And even though it leaves you with dresses you might not wear again, there are plenty of things you can do with!