Can we talk about reusing bridesmaid dresses?

netskyblue2

I've re-worn the one I wore in my sister's wedding last summer.  We have a formal party for work each year, and most of the young women wear cocktail dresses.  I was thrilled to not have to go out and buy another cocktail dress.  I've worked there for 8 years, and I have about 5 dresses that I bought just to go to that annual party, some I've worn a couple of times!

csuave

Dress 1 was off the rack from the department store that is now Macy's.  No alterations needed!  Might have been intended as a prom gown in the store.  I love it, still have it and have worn it 3 more times to BT events (along with the matching jewelry bride gave us all).  

Dress 2 was a 2 piece from DB.  I liked it well enough and was pleased it didn't need alterations but donated it right after the wedding since it wasn't appropriate for any event I would go to.

Dress 3 was a black mermaid gown from a bridal salon.  Alterations were included.  Salon lady made me get a larger size than I thought I needed.  Fit was very weird on the dress and still loose after alterations.  I wore it again once to a BT optional event that I volunteered at (felt less pressure on what I looked like as a volunteer).  Kept pulling it up all night and shortly after that donated it to a charity prom dress collection.

My 4 BMs were in 3 different states and one was 9 so I went with short DB dress of their choice in a light blue color. 

9 year old niece was all about the dresses from the first time she witnessed a wedding and then asked me (before I was engaged) if she could be in mine.  If anyone was going to wear it again I thought it might be her for the annual daddy daughter dance.  Nope, she got a new dress (money is no issue in that family) for the dance.  I guess none of my BMs will be wearing their dresses again!

I love dresses.  If I look good in it then I don't mind wearing it only once and feeling pretty in a BM way that day; but am always happier to be able to wear it again.

EverAfer

I still have a brown ball gown type BM dress that's just taking up space! It costed over $100+ for alteration. I'd love to get rid of it.

artbyallie

I have been a bridesmaid four times, but only once worn a dress actually marketed as 'bridesmaid.' For my uncle's wedding, my grandfather and I were the only attendants, so I was informed of the wedding colors and asked to wear something fitting into that. I have re-worn that one.

In my aunt's wedding, my mom, cousin, and I were the bridesmaids. Cousin wore a white dress, I was asked to wear purple, and my mom wore white on top and a purple skirt. I have re-worn that one, which actually came from Avon, lol.

In SIL's wedding, aside from the two-dress fiasco, we ended up in patterned sundresses from a department store. It's not my favorite, but I have re-worn it.

In my cousin's wedding this past December, we were asked to get Alexia bridesmaid dresses in navy blue shantung, in one of maybe 8-10 styles. I love mine and I looked smoking in it, so I will absolutely wear it again. But IMO it doesn't look 'bridesmaid-y' out of context of the other dresses.

lizandmark2014

I hoped my BM could wear their department store dress again. If they don't oh well, no big deal. I did try to pick something that they could re-wear if they liked it.

Istoleahalo

For my first wedding I told my girls a color and let them pick whatever dress they wanted..  I k now 2 of the 4 re-wore them (My sister to her senior prom and my MOH to formal night on a cruise w/her hubby).  Not sure what the others did and I wouldn't care if they cut them up and used them as rags...it's their dress after all! 

I am having a very simple, casual second wedding.  I told the girls 4 colors of bule and had them each pick one...then we went to DB and I told them to find a dress they could agree on...or at least get similar dresses.  They all (said they) agreed on one dress and I think it's simple enough that if they wanted they could rewear it, but if not...  not going to bother me.  

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Short-Crinkle-Chiffon-Y-Neck-Dress-F15600_Bridal-Party-Bridesmaids-Short-Bridesmaid-Dresses

I was in my mom's second wedding in college and rewore that dress...it was very simple.  Same for my brother's beach wedding. However, I do have a long, red satin "thing" in the back of my closet from my sister's wedding!  lol

JennyColada

If I were having a WP I'd probably pick one of these

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Browse_Bridal-Party-Shop-By-Trend-Lacy-Looks

But mainly because I like them and want them, so I want to live vicariously.