Choosing a wedding dress often takes a bride a lot of time and effort. And a wedding dress is not cheap, and you can only wear it once. Consequently, many girls wonder what to do with their dress after the wedding. Storing it in a closet is not the most practical solution, and if you are not considering the option of selling, then the portal for brides Svadbaholik.ru will tell you what and how you can alter a wedding dress.
Altering a dress: what do the signs say?
If you believe in omens, then before you pick up the scissors, you should find out whether it is possible to alter or even cut your wedding dress. According to tradition, it is customary to store such attributes of the bride’s wedding image as a veil or a wreath. They are considered a symbol of female and family happiness. Regarding the wedding dress, there are several signs that slightly contradict each other. Some say that the dress should be kept as a talisman and not shown to anyone. Others say that the dress can be given as a wedding gift to a relative, and this will bring her happiness.
It is generally accepted that clothes contain positive energy and an atmosphere of celebration. In this regard, it is considered a bad wedding omen to give or sell a wedding dress to strangers. Cutting and altering the dress with signs is not prohibited. This will be an excellent solution, and will give you the opportunity to experience the happy wedding energy more than once by changing your wedding dress into a casual or evening outfit. Therefore, it can and should be transformed!
How to change a wedding dress into an evening dress: tips and ideas
In general, the alteration of a dress largely depends on its style and the material from which it is made. The less decor, and the simpler the design, the less effort and skill it will take to change a wedding dress into an evening dress.
Shift dress
A laconic and elegant outfit does not need to be radically altered. Only some manipulations will be enough, for example:
- get rid of accessories and decorative elements that give away a wedding outfit;
- remove lace sleeves, if any;
- complement the look with contrasting accessories;
- recolor the outfit.
In general, a wedding dress with a straight silhouette, as in the photo, is not difficult to change into an evening dress. And if you shorten it, it will turn out to be cocktail-style.
Mermaid dress
The main distinguishing feature of the Mermaid style dress is the unusual shape of the skirt. By cutting off the lower flared part of the skirt, you can transform your Little Mermaid wedding dress into a beautiful midi-length evening sheath dress. If the wedding dress has a closed back and is sleeveless, then it can be shortened to a mini length. This option is perfect for going to a party or corporate event.
Princess Dress
In order to have your Princess wedding dress altered, it is better to contact a tailor. This is one of the more difficult options to alter due to the full, multi-layered skirt. We offer several ideas for a “Princess” dress:
- Divide the dress into a crop top and a skirt. Get a fashionable suit for a special event.
- Sew a fashionable tulle maxi skirt that can be combined with a bright shirt or blouse. This option is suitable for a beach party or even an evening out.
- Get rid of several layers of the skirt, reducing its pomp. Replace the white decorative elements of the corset with colored ones or change the color of the top layer of the skirt. The result is an elegant dress for a special event.
- Shorten the skirt and remove sleeves, if any. The Princess style can make a great cocktail dress.
A-line dress
Shortening or altering an A-line dress is not entirely convenient due to the style of the skirt. It’s easier to sew a new skirt by cutting off the top of the outfit. But in general, a lot depends on the fabric and the skill of the seamstress. A summer dress made of flowing lightweight material can be easily shortened in the studio. If the A-line dress is not a classic white color, then you can wear it again for a special event, only adding the necessary accessories to the look.
DIY wedding dress alteration
To get something completely different from your previous wedding dress, you need to use maximum imagination and inspiration. If a girl is comfortable with a sewing machine, then remaking a wedding dress will not be difficult for her. She can easily transform it on her own, for example, into a two-piece suit, a shortened outfit, or completely change the previous appearance of the dress.
DIY wedding dress makeover
First of all, you need to decide on the length of the product so that when shortened, the dress does not lose its appearance and does not look vulgar. The simple rule: “Measure twice, cut once” will come in handy in this case. After all, if you calculate the length incorrectly, you can end up with a completely tasteless item.
When shortening a dress, you should focus on the fabric from which it is made. To work you will need:
- threads of a suitable color;
- tape measure;
- pencil or soap for marking;
- pins;
- well sharpened scissors;
- sewing machine with overlock;
- sewing needles.
To shorten a wedding dress, two methods are used : cutting off the bottom of the product or tucking it.
Measuring the dress before alteration
In the second case, the dress is measured, leaving an allowance of 2.5 cm. The cut is processed with an overlocker. The bottom should be folded along the marked line so that the distance of the first seam from the edge is no more than 1 cm. Place the second line along the width of the machine foot, but no more than ½ cm from the first. The seam area should be smoothed with a steam iron.
Alterations of wedding dresses can be done at home. Choose a fabric of a different shade that matches the texture, cut the skirt and sew it to the top. You can remake the top of the dress by removing unnecessary decorative elements: sequins, beads, rhinestones.
If the wedding dress is sleeveless, you can easily turn it into a summer version : decide on the desired length, trim the dress from the bottom, leaving an allowance of 2-3 cm, tuck or hem its edge. The bodice is decorated with rhinestones and beads sewn on by hand. The bottom can be decorated with lace frills.
Photo of a bride in a short wedding dress
Bride in a self-shortened wedding dress
Wedding dress with homemade decorative elements
A satin long wedding dress will change dramatically if you leave it as a lining base, trimming it with guipure on top.
How to change a wedding dress into a casual dress after the wedding?
When thinking about how to save on a wedding dress, you should pay attention to dresses in rustic, boho and empire styles, as well as shirt dresses. These outfits are simple and laconic. It will be enough just to get rid of some decorative elements and, if necessary, shorten the skirt a little, and the wedding dress will turn into an everyday one.
Other dress styles will be more difficult to handle. The richer the fabric, the more decorative elements, the more solemn and brighter the outfit looks. But still, there is an answer to the question “how can you change a wedding dress into an everyday dress”!
You can cut the outfit and use its elements separately. The corset from the dress can be worn in combination with a jacket or blouse, after getting rid of excess decor. The bottom of the dress can be turned into a stylish skirt or even a new dress.
When you start remodeling, you should think about not only changing the style, but also the color of the outfit. Options for changing dress color:
- Completely or partially repaint the dress. To do this, you need to purchase special paints for fabric.
- Paint the dress with an original color pattern. To do this, you will need not only fabric paints, but also the ability to draw.
- Complete the white dress with original color inserts.
- Decorate the dress with colored patterns. They can be purchased at fabric stores.
After the wedding, it can be changed into a skirt or cocktail dress
After the wedding, you can turn it into a skirt and wear it to a party with a denim shirt. A short dress (tunic, retro or even “a la princess”) is quite useful for beach parties and discos - just complement it with bright accessories. Plain shoes, beads, a bag and a belt will do the trick, turning your wedding dress into a fashionable club or cocktail outfit. Some long wedding dresses can be shortened (like Grecian styles) to achieve the same effect, and even re-dyed!
How to turn a wedding dress into a child's dress?
Before you change a wedding dress into a child's dress, you need to prepare patterns. After all, it’s not enough to just shorten the hem; you also need to make the dress according to children’s sizes. If you know how to make patterns, you can alter a wedding dress for a nursery at home with your own hands. But if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to contact a studio.
For a children's dress, you do not need to get rid of the decorative elements inherent in wedding dresses. On a child, a wedding dress with lace, a full skirt and classic decoration in the form of stones, rhinestones or beads looks completely different than on an adult girl. In a dress made from a wedding dress, a little girl will look magical and touching. This dress is perfect for a special event, and will also be a stunning costume for a New Year's party.
You can alter a wedding dress after the wedding into original things for a very young child: an envelope for discharge, a canopy for a crib, clothes for a christening, etc. According to the signs about a wedding dress, such things will protect the child. In general, everything depends on your imagination, and the team of the wedding portal www.svadbagolik.ru is always ready to help with advice.
What to do with a wedding dress?
However, no less number of young ladies prefer to have their own wedding dress, bought in a salon, and they can think about what to do with it after the end of the ceremony. There are several options for solving the problem, and which one to choose depends only on the bride herself.
Family rarity - heirloom
Sentimental women, who dream of prolonging the charm of a special moment, leave the outfit for storage, in the hope that someday their daughter or granddaughter will wear it when she gets married. Of course, not everyone will have this dream come true. But in order to ensure the possibility of its execution, you will have to not only work on putting the dress in order, but also store it correctly. After dry cleaning, washing, ironing, carefully roll up each element of the decoration (veil, dress) and place it in a separate bag (case) made of natural fabric, high-quality wrapping paper. It is better to store decorative elements separately in small bags. Buy or make your own cardboard box and put all the packages there. Place moth repellent and silica gel between them to absorb moisture.
Sell
Modern fashion is very changeable, so in order not to have to think about what to do with your old wedding dress a month or two after the ceremony, sell it. To do this, it is enough to take several high-quality photographs, create an interesting, and most importantly original, advertisement and post it all on an Internet resource. The faster this is done, the greater the refund amount will be. You can sell each item from an outfit individually or as a set. This is beneficial not only to the seller, who thus compensates for part of the wedding costs, but also to the buyer, who receives a fashionable wedding dress at a low price.
Give
If the financial side of the issue does not really concern you, then the dress and other accessories can simply be donated. You can also do this through an Internet service or use the help of girlfriends, friends and work colleagues. Some of them will probably have a friend, a neighbor, who dreams of a luxurious wedding dress, but does not have the opportunity to purchase it. But any good deed will certainly find a response.
The same option can be recommended to a widow who has lost her beloved spouse. A dress stored in a closet will invariably evoke sad thoughts and evoke sad associations. Make room on your shelf and in your soul for new things and relationships.
Alter
The outfit can be repainted, recut, shortened, modified (for example, by removing fluffy petticoats, rich decor) and given a second chance, turning it into a casual, business suit, evening or cocktail dress. Craftswomen who know how to hold scissors and a needle in their hands can make a lot of useful household items out of a wedding dress:
- blanket or duvet cover;
- a cover for a crib or stroller for a baby;
- envelope for a newborn;
- children's dress or New Year's costume for a matinee;
- various accessories for yourself or a child, an original openwork clutch.
Or maybe you have your own original idea of what you can do with your wedding dress?
