What to do with a 1970s wedding dress

Ebay or Vinted would seem the obvious choice.

Would a local am dram or theatre group have a use for it?

Dressing up box for the grandchildren? Them not you. X

Vintage bridal shops will take them synthetic or not .Its a popular style if its the high neck long sleeved one that I still have from 1975.My OH wouldn't let me use mine to make a christening robe when our daughter was born so it still lives in the wardrobe . It'll be there until I sneak it out without him seeing

There are charities about that would welcome it. They use wedding dresses to make into tiny slips for stillborn babies. They deliver them to maternity units and the nurses dress the babies and photograph them. I know a young couple who lost a baby and they were totally overcome knowing that strangers cared enough to make these for their baby.

Fancy dress?

Primrose53

There are charities about that would welcome it. They use wedding dresses to make into tiny slips for stillborn babies. They deliver them to maternity units and the nurses dress the babies and photograph them. I know a young couple who lost a baby and they were totally overcome knowing that strangers cared enough to make these for their baby.

That's exactly what I was going to suggest too. It's a lovely idea to reuse them in that way.

paddyann54

Vintage bridal shops will take them synthetic or not .Its a popular style if its the high neck long sleeved one that I still have from 1975.My OH wouldn't let me use mine to make a christening robe when our daughter was born so it still lives in the wardrobe . It'll be there until I sneak it out without him seeing

Yes, vintage shops or some charity shops specialise in vintage clothes, as many brides prefer a retro style wedding.

Mine is still in the attic, wrapped in a sheet in a box, doing nothing.
I was going to make a christening gown out of it but never got around to it.

Primrose53

There are charities about that would welcome it. They use wedding dresses to make into tiny slips for stillborn babies. They deliver them to maternity units and the nurses dress the babies and photograph them. I know a young couple who lost a baby and they were totally overcome knowing that strangers cared enough to make these for their baby.

That would be my suggestion too - google NHAP

Thanks everyone. Yes it is high neck and long sleeved. When I looked on Vinted it looked a bit down market from the dresses on there. I thought the local charity shops would not want it . I’m not after money just wanted it to used,

You could ask the charity shop and if they are not going to sell it you can continue to look elsewhere.

My wedding dress (1976) was a two-part Gina Fratini dress. White cotton. Half of it was used to make a dress for a Christmas tree fairy and an Angel Gabriel costume for my daughter at Primary School. I think the other half is in the loft.

Mine is still hanging in a cupboard. It’s very slim-line and no fancy petticoats so it doesn’t take up any space.

It’s also tiny. My 12yo wasn’t able to do it up when she played with it and she’s only a size 6-8 now as an adult.

I would suggest giving it to your local theatre costume department.
I still have a 1980s ballgown packed in tissue paper in a box. My DD and DGD will have a laugh looking at it when I'm gone.

Photo please!

I like the idea of donating to stillborn baby charities and would be grateful if anyone could recommend one. I have two dresses in my loft: mine and DD’s. I followed up Cherished Gowns but they are inundated and are not taking any till next year Also they must be less than 10 years old and have no tulle. No good for me.

I still have mine from late 60s, high frilly neck, long sleeves, only my head and feet were on show. Slim line, no petticoat to take up space. Worn once and washed for the first time recently, which surprisingly turned out well.
Now in a small box under the bed.

First of all get it clean. My wedding dress (also synthetic) said Dry Clean Only, but I put it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle and it came out sparkling! Then I listed it on Ebay. Someone bought it! I only got £25 but at least somebody wanted it.

Mine said dry clean too, I didnt want to risk the washing machine so laid it in the bath with tepid water and soap flakes. Swished it about, rinsed and then pulled the plug. Left it til morning when it wasnt too wet (synthetic) hung straight on a hanger, and the marks had all disappeared and no ironing required. As good as new. Pity it doesn't fit any more

I met a woman at a sewing class some years ago and she had cut her wedding dress up to make a quilt.

My wedding dress circa the middle 70's, a long-sleeved, high-necked Empire line, was ruined when my parent's house was burgled. It was quirted with anything they could lay their hands on. My DDs 10 and 9 at the time had a week of bliss with it along with the veil and Juliet cap while we got grannys house sorted. It went in the skip with everything else.

Mine’s from 1972 and it’s bright red! If I lose 4 stones, I might get in it again!

A local museum might be interested in it, if not for their main collection then for their learning department.

I was married in 1974 and my dress was a Laura Ashley material and style. I gave it to the local am dram group and someone wore it in their performance of Abigail's Party.