What to do with a 1970s wedding dress

My dress was a long white cotton Laura Ashley one in 1992. It is still in the dress bag in my wardrobe. Would find it too upsetting to take it out of the bag as I am now a widow. The idea of it being used for little towns for stillborn babies is a lovely one so maybe some day...

Oh wow. I’d love to have seen that

Mine just hung in the wardrobe where it got all creased and the train got grubby so tried to wash it - disaster, so bin!!

I gave my 1966 velvet dress with train to a charity shop. Was told it woukd go to a city branch as more demand for vintage there. I thought the velvet would be good for making little dresses.

How precious is your marriage, mine will stay in wraps for someone else to decide what to do with it.

I also gave mine to a local theatre wardrobe. They seemed pleased to accept it.

eBay you will be surprised how many want to purchase a 70s wedding dress some who do 70s events etc are often willing.

My dress from my wedding in 1969 is high necked and has a lace coat with a small train. Very pretty. My youngest daughter wore it for her wedding in 2008.
I love the idea of donating it to the baby charity.

FishandChips15

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.

I was married in 1973 and wore a Laura Ashley wedding dress. I love the idea of donating it to a drama group in the chance it could appear on stage.

I think the baby charity is a beautiful idea!!
But 'old style' wedding dresses are very much in with today's youth on sites like Vinted.

Nicksmrs46

Mine is a fitted pale blue knee length dress with a matching lace coat the same length as the dress, it’s a small size 10 , can’t believe I still have it after 57 years !
it won’t go above my knees now 😅
My daughters thought it would fit them , alas no so it’s back in its box until I decide what to do with it ..

Size 10 then is a size 6 now. It looks like a lovely dress. Mine was white, high necked with lace bands on the sleeves. I asked my teenage son to get it down from the loft when we were moving years ago. As far as I know it's still in that loft and I've moved 3 times since!

Mine is a fitted pale blue knee length dress with a matching lace coat the same length as the dress, it’s a small size 10 , can’t believe I still have it after 57 years !
it won’t go above my knees now 😅
My daughters thought it would fit them , alas no so it’s back in its box until I decide what to do with it ..

Mine is a beautiful, elegant simple dress - it still fits and will be the last dress I wear.

Jacaranda can you message the address to me please.My OH cant complain about me getting rid of the wedding dress when its for such a good cause .Thank you .

I sold my first one from 1982 on ebay last year, it had a crinoline which were 'in' then. Also sold the bridesmaid dress. They were classed as vintage so yours may be of interest to someone. I still have my second one from 2006, not ready to part with it yet

My aunt made my duchess satin dress and short train. I donated it a couple of years later to a local convent who made it into vestments for poor priests in African countries. The guipure lace bolero I kept. My 2 DGD’s have cut off some flower shapes from it to be added to their future wedding dresses.

What lovely suggestions on this thread. We were paying for our own wedding and money was very limited so I hired my dress (slightly cheaper as I was the second wearer) and was able to have the dress, 1962, dull figured silk, high neck, long sleeves and a very fetching bustle, worn over a small hooped petticoat, of my dreams. A great memory and no storage problems, plus I can point out to my DGDs how ahead of the field I was!

I have MIL dress from 1935 Bias cut slipper satin. Also mothers war time dress and mine from early 60's They are too small for any GGd's to use.

I can't remember which charity it was but I sent mine to one who make them into gowns for stillborn babies, they were very grateful for it and even sent me pictures of the beautiful gowns they'd made from it.

There is definitely a market for vintage dresses.please do some research and get it to a good home. Don’t let it be cut up.

How about some of these ‘vintage’ /preloved shops? Or if you know anybody that can make use of the material for bridesmaid dresses for small children or christening or party outfits??

I belong to a group called NHAP (Needles Hooks Angels and Preemies) who take them in to cut up and make tiny burial gowns for babies who sadly do not survive. Every part of the dress is lovingly reused, even the lace trims. They have a very talented group of seamstresses who make beautiful gowns for the babies.
I myself support with knitting, crochet and sewing mainly for premature babies as mums are not prepared under the circumstances. If you would like the address please let me know.

If you really don’t mind what happens to your dress you could try someone like rosablue on Instagram. Sure to be others out there too but she makes adorable things out of recycling.

A group I belong to called NHAP (Needles Hooks Angels and Preemies) take in wedding dresses and cut them up to make tiny burial gowns for little babies who sadly do not survive. They are always grateful for wedding dresses and have some excellent seamstresses who make beautiful baby gowns. Every part of the dress is lovingly reused, even lace trims. If you would like the address please let me know.
I support them with crochet, sewing and knitted items mainly for premature babies, as mums are not prepared under the circumstances. Many hospitals accept our items to help families in these difficult circumstances.

I sent mine to Australian granddaughter for dressing up