We’ve all been there: Your newly engaged friend has asked you to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. Of course, you say yes. Why wouldn’t you? At first, you’re ecstatic…that is, until you see the poufy-sleeved, pink bridesmaid dress she’s chosen for you to wear on her big day.
Okay, so there has been some improvement in bridesmaid gowns in recent years, but generally, they’re still single-serving dresses — meaning they’re worn once and discarded soon after.
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“Some brides choose over-the-top dresses that look more like costumes and the poor bridal party has to parade around in them for five hours,” says Christie Maruka, a fashion stylist in Oakhurst, New Jersey. “After the wedding, the girls can’t wait to donate the dress to Goodwill.”
But, believe it or not, just about any gown — no matter how over-the-top ruffled, glittery, and all-around hideous — can be reused with a little creativity. “I think brides tend to feel guilty making their best friends and family members buy an expensive dress that isn’t really their style,” says Maruka. “They feel better if they tell their wedding party how amazing they look and that it will be perfect for their next event.”
While that may rarely be the case, Maruka — who has appeared on The Tyra Banks Show and The Style Network – is quick to add that all it takes is a dose of ingenuity to make something old into something new again.
Here are her 5 favorite ways to recycle any bridesmaid dress:
Make the Cut
“Do alterations! If the dress is long, cut it just above the knee and make a cocktail dress. Take off any extra fabric or chiffon to make it less bridesmaid-y. Or remove the top part of a bridesmaid dress and use the bottom part to make a skirt.”
Play Dress-Up
“If the dress is really bad, save it for a Halloween costume. Or give it to a friend to borrow…and let her keep it.”
Give Barbie a New Wardrobe
“I have an older client who buys bridesmaid dresses at thrift shops to cut up and hand-sews doll clothes for her granddaughter. Great idea!”
Pay It Forward
“One year, I did a charity event for for underprivileged teens who would not be attending their prom due to financial hardship. I gathered hundreds of dresses for girls who would not otherwise be able to
purchase them. We altered some of the dresses, gave them accessories and shoes. Giving them the
opportunity to go to their prom was amazing!”
Get Some Cash
“Sell it on Craigslist, eBay or perhaps a consignment shop will take it. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.”
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Additional Images (in Order) Courtesy:
©HBpictures/Dollar Photo Club
