Can someone explain the mindset of being able to wear a bridesmaid dress again?

Question

If you were a bridesmaid yourself, or you know someone who was, did you really ever wear the dress again, even if it was purchased with that potential opportunity? If not, why do brides pick dresses with that mindset when no one actually does wear them again at any point?

Answer 1

I have never worn a bridesmaids dress twice.  I sold one on ebay, and have the rest balled up in my closet for when I go to the Thrift Store.  I am getting married now and have to keep in mind that most likely unless it is a black semiformal dress that they will never wear them again.

Answer 2

Personally, I think if the dress is so unique that there is no way you could ever wear it again, then there is something wrong with the dresses. I HATE those bridesmaid dresses that are so unique that they are unusable, because those are usually the ones that look ridiculous (my friend had her bridesmaids in hot pink dresses with lime green jackets and it looked insane)

The point of being able to have the bridal party be able to wear them again is that when you buy them with that mindset you usually end up with dresses that are more toned down and suble and not flashy and froofy and typical "bridesmaids" dresses (like from 27 dresses)

If I was a bridesmaid and the dress was simple enough, I would definitely wear it again. The only condition that I would not wear it ever again is if I never attended formal events or thought the dress was too bizzare.  

Answer 3

One of my bridesmaids is a professional singer and needs gowns for performance. One does not own any other formal dresses. I figure that 50% wearing it again is a pretty good record, and I had both of them confirm that it would get use.

ETA: and I picked them this way because I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt of 5 dresses which would never be worn again. It's bad enough that I might not be able to repurpose my dress, but the waste of 4 others would ensure I'd never sleep again.

Answer 4

The best part is throwing them away! OR runnung them over with your car.

I actually gave 2 to a girl i work with who sews and she revamped them into dresses for her daughters formal dances. Oh and one i wore on halloween.

Answer 5

It depends on how formal the dress is and the lifestyle of the bridesmaid. My bridesmaid got her dress at Ann Taylor. She's the wife of a military officer and attends many social functions where she can wear it again, and since she chose what she liked, she probably will. I have one friend who wore a really formal bridesmaid dress again. She is a professional musician and the bride opted for a black and white wedding, so she got a black formal suitable for performances out of it.

Unless the bride allows the bridesmaids to choose cocktail style dresses, I doubt they'll actually wear them again.  

Answer 6

I was is my sisters wedding when I was 14.  I did wear my dress again for a dance at school.  I also lent it out to friends that used it for there dances, other weddings, and also for Halloween.  But for adults I don't know  anyone that have ever used there dress for anything else.

Answer 7

I've been a bridesmaid 3 times, I've never worn any of the dresses again.  The colors and styles are usually just all wrong for anything other than weddings/ or prom. (If you can use it for prom, odds are the bride was too young to get married :)  You aren't going to be able to use a typical bridesmaid dress for anything but your friends wedding.  People say you can wear it again to make the bride feel better about having their friends drop $100 + on a dress the will wear once and then bury in the closet.  If you really want the bridesmaids to want to wear the dress again, let them pick out their own dress (or at least their own style in a matching color).  

Answer 8

No. I have never worn again. I didn't pick my bridesmaids dresses. I let them pick them-the material and length. So, theoretically, they could wear them again since they picked them.

Answer 9

I was a bridesmaid in my brother's wedding and I have worn my bridesmaid gown on a few different occassions.  But then again my dress was a black sphegetti strap knee length gown.  

Answer 10

My sister and I were bridesmaids when our brother got married, and neither of us ever wore the dresses again.  For me, it wasn't a color that looked good on me, and it wasn't my sister's style.  They were dresses from the formal section of a department store, though.  When I got married my sister was my only attendant.  I told her to pick whatever she felt beautiful in.  I didn't care what color it was, what the style was, I just wanted her to feel gorgeous being in my wedding.  I think you could have knocked her boyfriend over with a feather when he saw her all made up, but I don't know if she ever wore it again or not.  When she got married I was her Matron of Honor, but I was also eight months pregnant at the time, so our mother made my dress, which I have never worn again.

Answer 11

I am determined to have bridesmaids dresses that my bridesmaids can wear again.  I know my older sister won't wear it, no matter what I pick because she never wears dresses (except to her own wedding, and then as a bridesmaid in mine). But my other sisters and friend that are bridesmaid are all girly like me and will totally need an extra dress in their closet.

My mom will be paying/making all the bridesmaids dresses anyway, so it's not even that I feel bad that they have to pay for a one-time-only dress.  I just think it's silly/rude to make someone wear a dress that is so not right for them that they would never choose to wear it again.

The way I'm doing the re-wearable dress thing is that they will all be black cocktail dresses. (Who doesn't NEED one of those in their closet for something else in their life?)  My bridesmaids will each get to pick the style of dress they will have made for them, and then there will be a dark cranberry sash tied around the waist (not attached) so it brings in one of my wedding colours, but is completely removable.

I figure a black cocktail dress is completely re-wearable if you ever go to any sort of semi-formal to formal event (even if it's a funeral or office party).

I think the problem with a lot of "one time only" bridesmaids dresses is either they are a nice style but a pastel/"bridal" colour that people don't tend to wear to other events, or they are just too formal (long flowing gowns) and average people just don't go to that many formal events, unless they are bridesmaids in a wedding.

I am a bridesmaid in my sisters wedding (Ceremony was yesterday and the reception is tomorrow).  We got to pick our own dresses as long as they were chocolate brown.  I think it's great because the dress was really nice, and we found it in a store in the mall so it was less than $80. I would choose to wear it again IF I have an event to actually wear it to, but I just don't go to that many formal type events.  But I'm sure if someone I know gets married next summer or fall I could wear this dress as a guest and totally look well dressed.

Answer 12

The last wedding I was in, the bride and us three bridesmaids all picked out a dress that could be worn again. I even said I would wear it as an easter dress. It really wasn't that fancy. Well, now it's a year and a half later and I just posted the dress on ebay last night. Ha! I know I'm never gonna wear it again, I am about to be in another wedding in November. I wonder how long I will hold on to that one, convinced that it will be worn again. I'm sure it'll show up one ebay one day with the same listing as my last one "only worn once."

Answer 13

I have worn bridesmaids dresses again.  If you ever have a formal occasion (Black tie wedding, event or Christmas party) you can wear it.  If you never attend any fancy function, then you probably won't.  I think the point it that most brides are choosing more classic formals and not bridesmaids dresses that stand out.  (Like orange chiffon with a ton of ruffles.)

Also my wedding was a semi formal day wedding, and I chose cocktail styles dresses for my bridesmaids.  I know for a fact they all wore them again, they were absolutely adorable.

Because it's all based on opinion, it really is relative.  What you may think is wearable again may not be, etc. etc.

Answer 14

My understanding is that by suggesting it will be easily worn again, it helps justify the money spent on it. Also, I think it gives the subtle message of " I didnt choose this ugly dress for you to hate - I chose it because you look great in it and you can wear it again".

Bridesmaids dresses have the notorious air of being something you never would choose to wear yourself, and I think modern brides try to please their friends by choosing outfits that are beautiful enough to stand on their own merit...never mind the wedding!