Upcycling Prom Dresses: Four Sustainable Solutions

Prom is a once-in-a-lifetime event that can be a little high maintenance. But we don’t mind! It’s one of the last high school milestones that we get to commemorate all the great times we shared with our friends. Of course, we know how badly you want everything to be perfect, from the date and dinner to shoes and dress.

Oh, the dress. It sets the bar for the prom night vibes, and we know how important it is to deliver all the looks in one perfect gown. The problem is, just like prom is a one-night-only ritual, that dress is unlikely to ever see the light of day again.

Fast fashion is a serious issue we are facing in the world today, and we need to slow it down. Fashion waste is one of the top contributors to global pollution, and that is so off-brand. So, Queenly is here to give you four of the best options to give your prom dress a second, sustainable life.

By choosing a sustainable option for your dress, you are guaranteeing that your pollution footprint is reduced and also making a stand against fashion waste. These are big and bold statements but so easy to achieve. As trendsetters and lovers of fashion, it is our duty to make sure that eco-friendly decisions never go out of style.

Selling your dress is a great sustainable option. It means that a gown you have only worn once will be able to make another person’s prom perfect as well. You know that feeling you got when you put that dress on? Whoever buys your gown will feel the exact same way, and we love that for all of you.

Reselling your gown will mean that someone else will be able to afford that fashion-forward frock they’ve been eyeing, and you won’t have to keep a gown just sitting collecting dust in the back of your closet. It keeps everyone happy and keeps that trendy gown the star of the show just like it’s meant to be.

Our website is all about pairing up gowns with their new owners. Selling your gown with us is a win all around. You’ll be able to get money back for a gown you only wore once, and some other gown lover out there will have the dress of their dreams for their own prom night. You will have made someone’s day, and put a little cash back into your pocket.

If you don’t want to sell your gown, a great alternative is to donate it. There are many charities that are set up for prom pop-ups to ensure that everyone is decked out properly for their special night.

A lot of communities have prom, but a lot of the students can’t afford the high price tags that come along with the necessities. By donating to these prom charities, you ensure that your gown has a second life, and someone somewhere that would have had to skip prom because of the costs will get that once-in-a-lifetime experience that you got. It’s an option that will make your heart happy, knowing you made a difference to the world and in someone’s life.

Maybe you don’t want to give it away, but you still want to ensure that it gets worn and someone gets a magical prom experience. Why not opt for “renting” out your look to a local high school student. It might take a little more leg work, but you could find a charity in your area that pairs you up with a student in need.

You can give them your gown to wear for the evening, but don’t have to give it away permanently. We know that sometimes there’s sentimental value attached to special outfits, so if you’re not ready to part with your dress but would love to help make someone’s prom magical, this could be a great choice.

Again, this could prove a little tricky, but there are companies/bins in most communities that take unwanted fabrics. Yes, this does mean that you can recycle the gown from prom. The fabrics can be recycled and used to make a new garment for someone in the future. Talk about a new life for your gown!

This one is less leg work but will get those creative juices flowing. Try your hand at upcycling. It’s a great way to reuse your gown in new and inventive ways. Try cutting and sewing your gown into a top and skirt set, an option that can be worn together or as separates. Your friends will be dying to know where you got that new crop top, and you’ll know it’s one of a kind!

A local tailor could also be a good option if you aren’t versed in sewing machines. You could have a floor-length gown taken up to a midi or mini length, taking your gown from formal to fun, giving you plenty of opportunities to wear it in the future.

These are just some of the great ways to upcycle your prom dress and do so in a sustainable way. Our number one job for the future is to change the impact that we have on the environment, and we can start by keeping our gowns out of landfills.

By ensuring your gown doesn’t become fashion waste, you are drawing the line in the sand against negative impacts like fast fashion. Even though it can take more work, in the end, you will feel good about the choices you made and your gown will have a second chance at life.