Daily Express press feature – RELOVABLE
The Daily Express newspaper ran a feature today about what to do with your wedding dress, quoting ideas from my new book, Relovable. I was delighted and also struck by the backdrop of headlines next to it, like “Trump third assassination attempt” and “Eight more years of illegal migration”
Sharing advice and inspiration about re-wearing, renting and repurposing your old bridal gown, both the book and the article urge you to pull out that dress in the back of the loft and in doing so, consider what it’s worth. But why, you might ask? And why now? It’s been safely tucked away for all these years.
I think we’re so engulfed in endless horror headlines, we sometimes need reminding how much value there is in what we already have in our lives. To recognise this value is good for our well-being. Millions of us have a beautifully made wedding dress or other meaningful garments hidden away, and I want to inspire you to bring them back into your life.
If you’re currently shopping for a wedding dress, or you know someone who is, then you’ll know it’s pretty much impossible not to be dazzled by the sheer variety and beauty of styles available. But somewhere on that journey, the question of value will come up. Buying a wedding dress, or retrieving it from the box where it’s been hidden at the back of your wardrobe for years is a perfect opportunity to think about what that really means to you.
I notice from having made bespoke gowns for over 20 years, that two things tend to happen on the dress-buying journey:
- The bride will have to reconcile the budget on their spreadsheet with the actual price-tag, as they consider buying what is probably the most expensive dress they’ve ever bought.
- A little voice in their head might start whispering “it seems an awful waste to only wear it once”
At this point, many brides start thinking about how they might extend the life of their dress and chose a style with potential re-wearability. Or they might head for a pre-loved bridal boutique and change their approach rather than upping their budgets. You’ll find more about this in my book which you can buy HERE. It makes a perfect gift for a bride-to-be, or as a Christmas gift for anyone who loves sewing, upcycling and wedding dresses. Use discount code RELOVE10 at checkout for 10% off and free P&P.
Why does all this matter?
Taking the time to consider what to do with something as meaningful and precious as a wedding dress after the wedding can be a very welcome haven of peace, creativity and inspiration. Apart from the benefit to our own well-being, recognising the value in what we already have, brings us joy and connection in a world where frankly, we’re all being buffeted around by misery and separation. Mention your wedding dress to someone and they’ll start talking about theirs. It sparks a connection.
So let’s give that dress a bit of love, take Jessie J’s wise advice and “forget about the price tag”. Instead start recognising where the value really is:
Re-visiting your dress re-connects you with your personal history at a time in your life when you felt loved, confident and full of hope. Your choice of style will reflect your past aspirations and it does us all good to re-visit these and explore ways of bringing them back into our lives.
Remember your dress is yours to do with as you choose. Just because your mother had it dry-cleaned and wrapped in tissue the moment you stepped out of it, doesn’t mean you need to continue to keep it like a precious relic. You may want to sell, rent or donate it – fashion students and budding designers will see your dress through fresh eyes and the potential for learning is immense, so consider donating to a fashion college.
Whether or not the marriage is still current, a wedding dress is a special link to the original owner and it’s worth noticing the reaction of your friends and family to your dress… believe me, there will be one, and they will be drawn in to your love story.
Many of us are gravitating towards a slower, more creative pace of life and a wedding dress is a valuable asset, containing a wonderful resource you may have overlooked. If you enjoy crafting, next time you find yourself tempted by shelves of materials in your local craft shop, spare a thought for your old wedding dress and the potential that lies in its fabric. Bridal gowns are comprised of many different components and layers, all of which are perfect for making anything from lampshades, cushions, bags, jewellery and… dare I mention something festive already… handmade Christmas baubles.
