Blue Bridal Outlet’s Guide to Repurposing Your Wedding Dress

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A wedding dress is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. There’s a lot of thought and effort that goes into finding that perfect gown. And for many, not only is it the most cherished clothing item they own, it’s the most expensive garment they will ever buy. So, why not wear it again?

Even Vogue suggests getting more life from your beautiful dress! Not only is rewearing or repurposing your gown economical, but it’s also sustainable. You wear your favorite pair of jeans over and over, so why not get another wear or two out of your very favorite clothing item — your wedding dress?!

Read on for Blue Bridal Outlet’s ideas on how to repurpose your bridal gown!

Make It a Mini!

Everyone loves a long lacy train for their wedding ceremony, but it’s got to go if you want to rewear your gown! After your big day, take your wedding dress to a seamstress and ask her/him to hem it to a mini or midi length. Turn your gown into a frock you can rewear on your anniversary! Your spouse will love seeing you in your dress year after year.

How gorgeous would the gown below be at knee-length? You could dance the night away. You can hem any dress shape (fitted, A-line or ballgown), but we love how a hemmed ballgown’s skirt twirls!

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This basque-waist beauty would also look incredible shorter! 

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Give Your Gown a Bright New Future

If you’re comfortable with a serious DIY project, you can dye your wedding dress after your nuptials! Check out a how-to guide here.

After dyeing your dress and hemming it with a seamstress, you could rewear it to a formal event or cocktail party. Just imagine this chic fitted dress below in navy or emerald!

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This gown would be stunning in any color but just picture an ombre effect on the skirt – swoon!

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Start with Something Rewearable

If sustainability is at the top of your wishlist for features in a wedding gown, start with something you know you can rewear, like a black wedding dress or a gown without a train (though these can be tricky to find!). Wedding dresses now come in all sorts of colors or even floral patterns!

With a hem, you could absolutely rewear this amazing lavender wedding dress to a black-tie event.

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This blush A-line gown’s rich beading fits in at both a wedding or your holiday gathering!

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Accessorize Accordingly

Styling your repurposed wedding dress properly will take it from bridal to everyday beautiful. Instead of the veil and sparkly earrings you wore on your special day, pair your shortened or dyed gown with simpler accessories. Or even something edgy like a leather jacket or sneakers!

After hemming this Madi Lane gown, we’d throw on a denim jacket and fun boots! Then she’s ready to party.

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We’d dye this ballgown black and pair her with some simple pearl studs and metallic stilettos for our next gala!

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To start your wedding dress journey, make an appointment with Blue Bridal Outlet in Cincinnati’s Reading Bridal District. We specialize in off-the-rack, ready-to-take-home gowns (so sustainability is kinda our thing!). Our boutique also carries a line of curated orderable gowns. Blue Bridal Outlet’s team of stylists is more than happy to brainstorm ideas for repurposing your dress after the big day. Book your appointment to find your perfect wedding (and beyond!) dress here!

Additional Reading:

https://www.somethingnewborrowedblue.com/blog/8-clean-minimalist-wedding-dresses-at-cincinnatis-blue-bridal-outlet

https://www.somethingnewborrowedblue.com/blog/unexpected-details-dresses-with-unique-back-designs-sleeves-and-trains

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