Should you Shop New or Used for your Wedding Dress?

If you are a bride-to-be, you have a big question to ask yourself: Do you want to shop New or Pre-Loved for your wedding dress?

There are both benefits and flaws to shopping both new and used when it comes to your wedding dress. So if you are trying to decide which direction to go, you want to consider everything. And this list is going to help you decide once and for all.

Now, over at Still White, it is no secret that we are big fans are pre-loved wedding gown shopping. And there are some key reasons for that. So we are going to start with the benefits of shopping Pre-Loved for your wedding dress:

Benefits of Shopping Pre-Loved:

There are so many benefits when it comes to shopping pre-loved for your wedding day look. But today we are going to cover just a few of the top reasons:

01. Get More for Your Money:

When you shop for a pre-loved wedding dress, you are going to be able to get more for your money. Styles that may be out of your budget new, may be well under your budget used. That means that dream designer dress you have been eyeing, may actually be possible.

02. Better for the Planet:

It is no secret that shopping used helps to decrease waste in the fashion industry. Fashion is the second most polluting industry on the planet. And when you choose to embrace the concept of circular fashion, you help to drastically reduce our impact.

Bridal fashion can be one of the worst culprits when it comes to fashion waste. Often times, a bridal look is a one-time-wear style. Meaning that stunning bridal gowns that still have so much to offer, are getting tossed in the trash. When you shop pre-loved, you are able to give a dress a second life, or maybe a third, or fourth or more.

Benefits of Shopping New:

Shopping for a new wedding dress also has its benefits. And these are key things to consider when making your decision:

01. Free of Flaws:

One major benefit of shopping new for your wedding dress, is that you do not need to worry about any potential flaws. No tears or stains from being worn already. Now, this does not mean that your dress will not need adjustments. Most new wedding dresses are made to be altered. So although you will not have flaws to fix, you will still need to go through a traditional alteration process to make sure that your dream dress fits you like a glove!

02. Endless Sizing Options

Shopping new means that you can pick your perfect size. And this includes harder to find plus sizes. We have all been there, where you find the perfect clothing item at a second hand or vintage store, to only discover that it is not the right size. When you shop new, you save on time when it comes to finding your exact size.

Downfalls of Shopping Pre-Loved:

Although there are some massive benefits to shopping pre-loved, there are also some downfalls that you want to be aware of:

01. You Don't Always Know What you are Getting:

Let's be honest...when you are shopping pre-loved, you don't always know what you are getting yourself into. If you shop in person, you are able to see a dress and therefore see any issues with it. But so much of used wedding dress shopping is done online now. And that comes with some risks.

That is why it is KEY to do your research, and use a reputable source when shopping pre-loved. When you buy and sell your wedding dress on a platform like Still White, you know you are doing so in a simple, fun and safe environment. That takes a lot of the stress out of shopping used.

02. Limited Sizes:

When you shop pre-loved, it can be harder to find the right size. When you walk into a vintage store, all that is available to you is what is hanging on the racks. You don't have the option of ordering in the perfect size. But when you shop with a large pre-loved wedding dress platform like Still White, you will have access to the same dress in various sizes.

Downfalls of Shopping New:

Shopping for a brand new wedding dress may not be all sunshine and rainbows. There are some key downfalls that you want to consider:

01. Limited to Current Trends:

When you shop new, you may be limited to the current trends of the season. That may mean that designers are focused on similar key silhouettes or details. Whereas, when you shop pre-loved, you open yourself up to both current and past styles. You can even find unique, one-of-a-kind bridal looks, or vintage dresses!

02. Supporting the Cycle of Waste:

When you choose to shop new, you are supporting the cycle of waste that the fashion industry is stuck within. But even if you decide to go this route, you can help break the cycle by selling your wedding dress after your big day. Hop on a platform like Still White, and find a new bride-to-bride who will give your wedding dress a second life!

Wrap Up

Ultimately, only you can decide whether new or used is right for you when it comes to finding your dream dress. But it is helpful to know the ups and downs to both before you begin your search. After reading this article, you are now equipped with the knowledge to move forward with confidence. Happy shopping! Your dream dress is out there waiting for you...