The hidden value of your old wedding dress.
Your old wedding dress
Your wedding dress is likely to be the most expensive garment in your wardrobe (or loft) and has so much potential for a second life, but if you’re anything like me, you may have tucked it away after the wedding and forgotten about it. You may have tried unsuccessfully to sell it to try and recoup some of what you spent on it, or are wondering why you kept it in the first place and what to do now?
If so, it’s time to fall back in love with it!
Let’s take a closer look… your gown really is something very special. Unless it is unpicked however, you'll rarely see the timeless couture techniques that lie hidden within it, secretly holding each layer in place so it was able to flow effortlessly behind you on your wedding day. These techniques represent hours of skilled craftsmanship, often hand-sewn by experienced seamstresses, but this is sometimes overlooked in the times we live in, where production is almost always done out of sight and often over the other side of the world.
Having studied Couture Bridal Wear at the London College of Fashion and worked as a bespoke designer for twenty years, I can tell you that the sheer volume of fabric, the internal construction, the drape and fall of the silhouette, the precision of beadwork placement – these details represent extraordinary value and your dress is worth every penny you paid.
Noticing all this is fairly unavoidable for me, seeing as I spend my days surrounded by the irresistible rustle of heirloom silk, the delicious aroma of pre-loved organza, and the finest vintage lace. I specialise in working with pre-loved or heirloom gowns now, although I do still alter and customise new ones. Each fitting I do reminds me of these precious aspects that exist in every wedding dress, waiting to be appreciated and preserved. Or maybe even reused in a new way.
I would love to help you fall back in love with your dress and to see its potential, and to do this, you can Access my FREE guide to “Beyond the Big Day” HERE which is a video and PDF giving you an overview of where to start and what to do with your old dress - the first steps toward giving your gown the second life it deserves.
The value of your dress isn't just monetary. Your dress carries emotional value that increases over time, whether you preserve it as it is, or you decide to repurpose it. It represents one of the most significant days of your life, and that significance doesn't diminish just because the wedding is over.
This is why I'm passionate about helping brides recognise the true worth of their gowns. Taking the most expensive garment you own and giving it a chance to thrive isn't just about sustainability – it's about honouring the investment you made and the memories it holds.
Whether you choose to remodel it, display it, or transform it into keepsakes, your dress has the potential to bring joy for years to come. The question is what amazing second life awaits it?
If you’re a bride-to-be, then download my FREE "Peaceful Dress Journey" guide HERE to discover answers to the most commonly asked questions from all my brides. After your wedding, I’ll then send you some ideas for what to do with your old dress.
You’ll find more about the bridal world in my book, Relovable which you can buy HERE. It was sustainably produced in a small print run and there aren’t many copies left, but makes a perfect gift for a bride-to-be, or for anyone who loves sewing, upcycling and wedding dresses.
