New or second hand

Vinted is like any private purchase.
You will have to sell it on.

Tena, Well done. I am tempted to try Vintage but what happens uf you've paid for an item and it doesn't fit. I have so many items that I need to get rid of but am put off in case I mess things up.

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I spent ages on dress hire TurtleDove - it's really hard if you are a larger size/big bust etc.

My in-proportion daughter uses dress hire for fancy events but I haven't ever found anything that would suit me.

The Ann Balons I've bought are very stretchy, can be virtually screwed up in a suitcase and still hang really well.
I've worn the jackets with jeans too. I suit the 3 piece ones best. They seem to sell happily at the price I buy them 2nd hand.

If a second hand outfit, rented out from a dress hire shop is good enough for Boris Johnson's wife Carrie, then I would go down that route. All the stars you see on the cat walk are wearing rented clothes otherwise they could not keep up with the cost of them all. If you do rent out at least you will get a designer outfit. But I would not spend a fortune. When our son got married I bought my outfit from J D Williams mail order and I looked expensive, everything was in the sale. I refuse to throw money away on just one day.

I’d never heard of Anne Balon before this thread but I’ve just looked on eBay and there are some real bargains to be had if anybody is interested!

I bought a good-as-new Jacque Vert winter coat on ebay about 8 years ago. It is still in regular use

New for me but I have bought Jacques Vert cheap in a store’s sale and I have since worn for several events where a posh outfit was required.It was a swirly skirt, top and jacket which still looks good, especially with a hat

NotAGran55

There is a fantastic Facebook group called Pre-Loved Wedding and Occasion Outfits UK where beautiful items are for sale.

I have bought and sold here including a beautiful £1000 plus dress bought for a bargain £250 including a hat.

You must know what size/shape you are though as nearly everything on the site is a private sale so no exchange/refund.
I was delighted with the things bought there... and have had lovely emails from the person who bought a very expensive dress from me.

I have also bought an Ann Balon outfit new and subsequently realised second hand was excellent- you know exactly what to expect with some brands. My cheapest was £25 from ebay but I had one for about 80 quite recently from vinted and wore that to my son's wedding. It looks brand new.

My daughter and DIL went with me to purchase my wedding outfit. I probably wouldn't have bought it if they hadn't been there. It's very smart retro and I wear it when we go cruising for the formal nights, a perfect buy which I have received compliments over the years. It's retro in navy snug fitting off shoulder, one of the best buys I have ever made.
I didn't want anything which shouted wedding outfit.

It all depends on how you would feel on the day. Personally I’d be in ‘pre-loved’ but some people would be really uncomfortable doing that.
Do what makes you feel good. But also if you did want brand new you could choose an outfit that you could get some use out of later on

NotAGran55

There is a fantastic Facebook group called Pre-Loved Wedding and Occasion Outfits UK where beautiful items are for sale.

✅

I would definitely be looking around the charity shops - now is the time they start getting all the wedding stuff out ready for Spring weddings. It takes a bit more time and effort than going into a shop and buying a complete new outfit but worth it. Online searches as mentioned by others too. Most of these things only get worn once so it's almost new anyway.

Wore the same outfit for both my daughter and sons wedding. However why not get second hand - nobody will know and it doesn't matter if they do !!

Keep a look out for lovely second-hand outfit, last few weddings I've been to have worn second hand, doubt that the dresses had been worn more than once or maybe twice. Nobody knew and even if they had found out nobody would have cared. How is it different from hiring an outfit. Sometimes people sell an entire outfit with accessories, I'm on a facebook page for scarlet and jo dresses, and sometimes this happens, someone has a hat/fascinator and jacket or bag to match, shoes even but not so easy. As the person no doubt lives a distance away from the venue no one will have seen it
So why not consider second hand, if nothing else seeing what others have worn and the brands might give you ideas of what you want. You can always keep looking for something new and decide to buy new.
If you do buy secondhand, you could treat yourself to new underwear, maybe a make over with some make up perhaps a bit dearer than you might usually use, some new perfume, with the money you saved

I am always surprised at the lovely evening clothes in charity shops. I do think it is because a lot of people wear them once or twice and then realise they will never wear them again. I know someone who bought her wedding dress in a charity shop. Apart from lovely dresses I think most charity shop clothes are now too expensive.

My Granddaughter is getting married on July and its definitely new for me but making sure I get lots of wear out of it so not buying anything too fancy. I would quite like a nice loose trouser suit.

I live in jeans and don't own a dress skirt etc when it was my son's wedding I did ask if I could wear my jeans I hate shopping so looked on eBay and put mother of the bride/groom outfit in the search bit. I liked the look of the Ann Balon outfits I bought a complete 3-piece outfit for £50 been worn once to a wedding also there was a handbag with it. It was so light and comfortable to wear and I sold it back on good old eBay and made a profit on it. Did look on the Ann Balon web site same outfit was still available for over £350 so well worth a look on selling sights.

Do you have any Dress Agencies near you who sell clothes on behalf of customers, usually 50/50 basis?

Many one-time worn MOTB outfits available, for a fraction of original cost.

We have two specialist charity shops in our area, one Oxfam, one a local hospice’s, both specialising in bridal and occasion wear. So much of it is just worn once, they’re never short of stock. I’d definitely look there first if I had any weddings coming up (sadly, I don’t!).

There is a fantastic Facebook group called Pre-Loved Wedding and Occasion Outfits UK where beautiful items are for sale.

Given that you have time to look around I'd keep an eye on charity shops and also their on-line outlets as some designer stuff is creamed off to there.
I found outfits for both both AC's weddings in our local charity shop except for shoes.
Spring is a good time to be looking as people 'spring clean' their wardrobes.
Hope you find something and enjoy the wedding!

I’d rent an outfit. I’ll never buy an outfit for a special occasion again. Better for the environment and the bank balance.

For DS's weddingI revamped an outfit I already had but had only worn once or twice - and I did not wear a hat.