what to do with an old bridesmaid dress

ginabean82 · February 2011

Hey peeps, I have an old bridesmaid dress (gown) from a few years ago. It's a beautiful gown, but will probably never wear it again only because it's a gown. I was thinking of bringing it to a tailor to have it shortened into a knee length dress so I can wear it to a wedding this fall. What are you opinions to this? Do you think it will look too much like a bridesmaid dress? Do you think it will be too expensive? Any opinions will be appreciated! TIA!

sgdc2011 · February 2011

Depends on the dress.. do you have a picture?

RamsKR01 · February 2011

If it's a dress you really love and not too expensive to shortened, I definitely think you'd get more use out of it shorter....but sgdc is right - it depends on the dress.

If you really can't change it, I donated some of my bridesmaids dresses (been in a few weddings, not all pretty dresses) to local charities around prom time. I believe it was the State Troopers who do a dress drive for girls who can't afford prom dresses. I figured if someone might like it and get use out of it, it's better than sitting in my closet.

Juliet212 · February 2011

I have done both. I donated one, gave one to some else going to a wedding and shortened another. Actually the one I wear occasionally. It was a fancy dress but it was pretty straight, not a gown. They can always take out some of the material on the bottom so it's not so poofy.

As others said, do you have a picture?

hopeful523 · February 2011

Depends on the style but I've shortened a few BM dresses and they ended up looking like cocktail dress from a store. Just as everyone else has said, do you haver a picture? That'll help decide as to whether it's to BM dress looking.

shoebie · February 2011

Alot of high schools collect gowns for girls for prom that can not afford one amazing thing to donate too.

sully1927 · February 2011

I have been in a handful of weddings and I have worn 2 dresses again. One did not need any alterations it didnt look like a bridesmaids dress when I wore it originally. It was empire waist dress in a plum. Also I had a long brown dress I wore in my other friends wedding. I had my mom hem the dress to make it cocktail length and it looks great! Wore it to 2 weddings and probably will wear it to another few.

Like many have said depends on the dress. I had 2 other bridesmaids dress that I had my mom shorten but the colors screamed bridesmaid.

ginabean82 · February 2011

Ok, so here is a pic of the dress. I was thinking of taking the straps off too because I'm not really a fan of spaghetti straps. What do you girls think? I also love the idea of donating it for someone to wear to their prom, so if I don't end up shortening it I will donate it.

sgdc2011 · February 2011

I think if you remove the straps and shorten it, it would be OK. It's a very plain dress though, I'm not sure if it would look good shortened because there is nothing on the dress... but I saw go for it.

I have some hideous bm dresses left, where did you guys donate them? Is there a special drive/ place?

uppereastgirl · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddings.com/Sites/Weddings/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_old-bridesmaid-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:f6fe5096-d88c-4d17-9e65-016bec775c54Post:20feab28-7fa4-4f5f-bd7f-1abeba1b9d12">Re: what to do with an old bridesmaid dress</a>:
[QUOTE]I think if you remove the straps and shorten it, it would be OK. It's a very plain dress though, I'm not sure if it would look good shortened because there is nothing on the dress... but I saw go for it. I have some hideous bm dresses left, where did you guys donate them? Is there a special drive/ place?
Posted by sgdc2011[/QUOTE]

I agree with this. It is kind of plain so I think it may be a bit lacking even if shortened. And that color kind of screams bridesmaid to me so it may look bridesmaidy at a wedding.

Here's a list of places that take donations:
<a href="http://www.cinderellaproject.net/outside_albany.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.cinderellaproject.net/outside_albany.htm</a>

One note: I'd act fast if you're going to donate. A lot of places stop taking donations a few months before the prom because they already have enough to work with.