Wedding dress aftercare.
A lot of time and detail is invested into a wedding dress, especially a bespoke wedding dress. As much as we look forward to the wedding day and relish the moments we spend in our dress on the day, we tend to forget what will happen with our garment after such a special occasion. At SALIMA.ALI, we consider the lifespan of your dress during its production as well as after the wedding day to encourage a sustainable lifestyle throughout. Spare some time to consider, what you could do with your garment after you get married. Whether you’re sentimental or hate the idea of a beautiful gown going to waste, read on for our advice.
CLEAN IT
Whatever you choose to do with your dress, getting it cleaned is a must. Stains are often signs of a good time, which you’re sure to have in your wedding dress. When the day is over, your dress deserves some TLC before the marks have a chance to settle. Choose a cleaner who specialises in wedding dress preservation.
At SALIMA.ALI your garment is designed and created in-house by Salima and her team. Every garment comes with a care guide and Bespoke orders come with specific care instructions suited to your unique gown. You can also find a general garment care guide on our website with recommended tips to maintain the quality standard you invested into your piece.
Above all else, a professional will know how to create a unique treatment plan for your dress without harming the fabric. They’ll know to use virgin solvent rather than recycled solvent to avoid leaving a weird smell, and they’ll spot the stains that dry clear but can caramelise over time. Seek out the best solution for your dress.
PRESERVE IT
Once your wedding gown is clean, wrap it in acid-free tissue paper or unbleached muslin; pop them between the folds of the dress too to avoid permanent creasing. To prevent oxidation over time store your gown in an airtight, acid-free container out of direct sunlight.
Avoid putting it in a zip-up plastic bag as these hold moisture that could discolour your dress. SALIMA.ALI Bespoke Bridal dresses all come in a fabric garment bag suitable for storage on a hanger or in a box, this is created to protect from dust, stains and damage and promote the longevity of your garment. Find somewhere cool and dry to store it and if you hang it make sure the hanger is padded to support the weight.
The Beautiful Frame Company can turn your dress into a piece of art for your home. The mother and daughter duo handmake every frame, with museum grade UV protective glass, so it’s truly unique.
DONATE IT
A wedding dress is normally one of the most integral elements of a bride’s wedding day. Finding a dress that makes you feel effortlessly elegant can be a lengthy process, but when you find the right one it’s empowering; what could be more fulfilling than passing this feeling onto another? There are plenty of wonderful organisations that will help you find a grateful home for your dress.
As well as donating to an organisation, your garment can be treated as a special heirloom that will last for years to come, and after a few alterations your dress could be passed down in your own family from generation to generation.
REPURPOSE IT/ ALTER IT
There are endless options for transforming your wedding dress into something that you can use or appreciate often. For instance, you could have it made into a quilt, or parts made into jewellery. There’s also the simple option of creating a new dress out of it, as it’s already entirely sculpted to you. Find a talented seamstress who can adapt your gown into an outfit you could wear for more another occasion.
SELL IT
We are sure that your wedding dress is a garment that holds a lot of memories and is so dear to you, but if you do ever decide to sell it to get some money back instead of donating it. Here are a few tips…
If you bought a designer gown timing is everything; the sooner you sell it, the more value it has to second-hand sellers. Sell your dress within three years, and you could get up to 50% of the RRP; follow our cleaning advice and you could increase the value of the dress further.
You can post your dress on sites like eBay and Bride2Bride, but social media is also a very effective way of making a quick sale; add the following hashtags to increase the reach of your listing #weddingdressforsale, #weddingdressinspo and #weddingdresssale.
We hope these tips and recommendations are useful and has got you thinking about what you could do with your wedding dress after the special day.