Although there are few things better than a really good wedding, buying a new outfit for each event can soon make life expensive. The cost of dresses, shoes, bags and accessories can quickly add up, leaving the bank balance groaning and finances running dry.
However, there is a way to dramatically reduce your wardrobe bill and cut down the amount of time you have to spend shopping for outfits this summer: recycle your look. Wearing the same thing to multiple weddings is a fantastic way to minimise the amount you spend on clothes, get more from each outfit and make the most of the stylish dresses you buy this summer.
Timing
Ideally, you should avoid wearing the same dress to two weddings in a row. As @MarthaWeddings says, ‘If you can, put some distance between your repeat wearings.’ This will give people a chance to forget your look and help your recycled outfit to pass unnoticed through the event.
Add some colour
In general, dresses made from neutrally coloured fabrics are easier to recycle than bright, bold garments. Other guests are more likely to remember a hot pink or royal blue dress than they are a beige or navy number, so try to choose something that doesn’t stand out too much if you want to wear it again and again. If you opt for a fairly neutral dress, it’s easy to change its look using colourful accessories. Choose a bag, shoes and a hat that are completely different from the last ones you wore to give your dress a totally new look.
Add a pashmina
Adding a pashmina to your outfit is another easy way to change its look. This works especially well if you’ve worn the dress to a summer wedding and are now wearing it to a winter event. If you don’t have a suitable throw, a light jacket can also help to completely change the look of the outfit.
Change the cut
If you want to take your outfit adjustment to the next level, you could consider getting your dress professionally altered. Changing the fit of the skirt or the length of the sleeves can totally transform the look of a dress, especially if the alterations are done to a high standard.
Change the colour
Most fabrics can be dyed fairly easily using at-home products. This allows you to change the colour of your dress in a matter of hours and create an entirely new look in the process. Dresses that are made from white, ivory or beige fabrics will take dye better than darker outfits. Simply soak your dress in the dye, or pop a dye in your washing machine, and you’ll have a whole new look before you know it.
Recycling an old outfit is a great way to save money on your wardrobe this summer. Get more wedding ideas and inspiration by taking a look around our site today.
