Where To Buy Vintage Wedding Dresses?

So, you’re getting married and you want to add a touch of old-world charm to your big day by wearing a vintage wedding dress. But where do you even begin to look? Well, fret not, because we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll guide you through the enchanting world of vintage wedding dress shopping and uncover the best places to find that perfect, one-of-a-kind gown that will make you feel like a true bride from a bygone era. Whether you’re searching for a timeless lace masterpiece or a glamorous satin number straight out of the 1950s, get ready to embark on your journey to find the dress of your dreams.

Online Retailers

Etsy

Etsy is a popular online marketplace where you can find a wide range of vintage wedding dresses. With thousands of independent sellers offering unique and one-of-a-kind pieces, Etsy is a treasure trove for vintage enthusiasts. You can browse through various styles, eras, and sizes, making it easy to find the perfect vintage wedding dress that matches your vision for your big day. Shopping on Etsy allows you to support small businesses and directly communicate with the sellers to ask questions or request additional photos before making a purchase.

ASOS Marketplace

ASOS Marketplace is another excellent online platform for vintage wedding dress shopping. With its carefully curated selection, ASOS Marketplace features a wide range of vintage clothing items from independent sellers around the world. The platform offers a convenient search function that allows you to filter dresses by style, size, and era. Shopping on ASOS Marketplace gives you the opportunity to discover unique vintage gems while enjoying the convenience of online browsing and purchasing.

Preowned Wedding Dresses

If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option without compromising on style, Preowned Wedding Dresses is the perfect online destination for you. This marketplace specializes in selling preloved wedding dresses, including vintage options. Wedding dresses on this site are typically listed at discounted prices compared to their original retail value, offering you a chance to snag a quality vintage dress at a fraction of the cost. Preowned Wedding Dresses allows you to search by designer, size, and price range, making it easier to find the vintage wedding dress of your dreams within your budget.

Still White

Still White is another popular online platform dedicated to preloved wedding dresses. While it primarily focuses on contemporary gowns, it also features a wide selection of vintage dresses. With a user-friendly interface and advanced search options, Still White allows you to browse through various styles, sizes, and designers to find your perfect vintage wedding dress. The platform also offers a secure messaging system that allows you to communicate with sellers directly to ask questions or negotiate prices. If you’re looking to buy or sell a vintage wedding dress, Still White is a fantastic platform to explore.

Tradesy

Tradesy is an online marketplace that offers a curated selection of new, used, and vintage items, including wedding dresses. The platform provides a simple and straightforward user experience, allowing you to search for vintage wedding dresses based on your preferences. Tradesy offers a secure payment system and provides Dressed items with a free return policy to ensure a safe and satisfying shopping experience. If you’re in search of a vintage wedding dress with a range of styles and sizes, Tradesy is worth checking out.

Vintage Boutiques

Local vintage boutiques

If you prefer an in-person shopping experience, exploring local vintage boutiques can be a fantastic option. These boutiques often carry a carefully curated selection of vintage clothing, including wedding dresses. You’ll have the opportunity to try on different styles and personally inspect the quality and details of each dress. Additionally, the staff at vintage boutiques are usually knowledgeable and passionate about vintage fashion, and they can provide expert advice and guidance to help you find the perfect vintage wedding dress for your special day.

Specialty vintage wedding boutiques

For a more specific and focused shopping experience, consider visiting specialty vintage wedding boutiques. These boutiques exclusively cater to brides seeking vintage dresses, ensuring that their inventory is full of stunning and unique options from different eras. Visiting a specialty boutique allows you to immerse yourself in the vintage wedding dress experience and receive personalized attention from experienced stylists who can assist you in finding a dress that perfectly captures your desired vintage aesthetic.

Consignment and Thrift Stores

Goodwill

Goodwill is a well-known thrift store chain with locations across the United States. While they may not specialize in wedding dresses, you can often find hidden gems among their racks of clothing. Vintage wedding dresses occasionally make their way to Goodwill, and with a little patience and luck, you may stumble upon your dream dress at an affordable price. Keep in mind that the selection at Goodwill can vary greatly depending on the location and the donations they receive.

The Salvation Army

Similar to Goodwill, The Salvation Army operates thrift stores that offer a wide range of secondhand clothing, including vintage wedding dresses. The organization focuses on helping those in need, and the proceeds from their thrift stores go towards funding various charitable initiatives. While it may require some searching and visits to different stores, The Salvation Army can be a great place to find vintage wedding dresses while supporting a worthy cause.

Housing Works

Housing Works is a nonprofit organization that operates thrift shops in New York City. Not only do they offer a diverse selection of vintage clothing, but their mission also focuses on addressing homelessness and HIV/AIDS in the city. By shopping at Housing Works, you can find unique vintage wedding dresses while contributing to a positive social impact. Their inventory is often well-curated, and the knowledgeable staff can assist you in finding the perfect vintage gown for your wedding day.

Buffalo Exchange

Buffalo Exchange is a popular consignment chain that buys and sells gently used clothing. While they primarily cater to trendy and contemporary fashion, they occasionally carry vintage pieces, including wedding dresses. Each Buffalo Exchange location has its own unique inventory, so it’s worth checking out multiple stores if you’re on the hunt for a vintage wedding dress. Keep in mind that inventory can change quickly, so be sure to visit periodically or call ahead to inquire about their current selection.

Online Auctions and Marketplaces

eBay

eBay is a well-established online marketplace where you can find a vast variety of products, including vintage wedding dresses. The platform allows individuals to auction off or sell their items directly, giving you the opportunity to discover unique vintage dresses from sellers around the world. When shopping on eBay, it’s essential to carefully read the descriptions, examine the provided images, and check the seller’s ratings to ensure a smooth buying experience. With patience and careful browsing, you can often find stunning vintage wedding dresses on eBay at competitive prices.

ShopGoodwill.com

ShopGoodwill.com is an online auction platform operated by Goodwill Industries. It offers a wide range of products, including vintage clothing and wedding dresses. The platform allows you to bid on items, increasing the excitement of finding your dream vintage dress. ShopGoodwill.com provides detailed descriptions and images of each item, and they often provide measurements to assist you in selecting the right size. Shopping on this platform not only offers the chance to find unique vintage wedding dresses but also supports Goodwill’s charitable initiatives.

Ruby Lane

Ruby Lane is an online marketplace specializing in antiques, collectibles, and vintage items. Their expansive selection includes vintage wedding dresses from various eras, allowing you to explore different styles and find the perfect gown for your wedding. The platform offers a straightforward search function and provides detailed information about each dress, including measurements and condition. Ruby Lane’s curated collection ensures a higher standard of quality, making it a reliable destination for finding authentic and well-preserved vintage wedding dresses.

Wedding Dress Rental Services

Rent the Runway

Rent the Runway is a popular rental service that allows you to rent designer clothing and accessories for various occasions, including weddings. While they primarily focus on contemporary fashion, they often have a selection of vintage-inspired wedding dresses available. Renting a vintage-inspired dress can be a fantastic option if you’re looking to embrace a vintage aesthetic without the commitment of purchasing a dress. Rent the Runway offers convenient rental periods and flexible delivery options, allowing you to enjoy your vintage-inspired wedding dress for your special day before returning it.

Something Borrowed Bride

Something Borrowed Bride is a unique wedding dress rental service that specializes in vintage and preloved wedding gowns. Their collection includes a variety of styles from different eras, ensuring that you can find a vintage dress that suits your taste. The rental process with Something Borrowed Bride is simple and straightforward, with the option to try on the dresses at home. This allows you to select the perfect vintage wedding dress and ensure the proper fit before your big day.

New York City items rental services

If you’re based in or near New York City, you have the advantage of accessing a variety of rental services that offer vintage wedding dresses. From local boutique rentals to specialized vintage dress rental services, the city provides a wealth of options. These services often cater to different budgets and styles, ensuring that you can find the perfect vintage wedding dress rental to suit your preferences. Exploring the rental options in New York City allows you to experience the charm and convenience of a vintage wedding dress while enjoying the flexibility of renting rather than buying.

Local Classifieds and Ads

Craigslist

Craigslist is an online classifieds platform where individuals can buy and sell various items, including vintage wedding dresses. While it requires some diligence and caution during the purchasing process, browsing through the listings on Craigslist can lead you to hidden gems and affordably priced vintage wedding dresses. When using Craigslist, make sure to meet the seller in person, thoroughly inspect the dress before purchasing, and consider taking a trusted friend or family member with you for added safety.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a convenient platform for buying and selling items locally, including vintage wedding dresses. You can search for dresses within your area, making it easy to find options that are geographically accessible for you to try on or inspect. Facebook Marketplace allows you to connect with sellers conveniently and ask questions about the dress before making a purchase. However, it’s always important to exercise caution when meeting with strangers, and consider meeting in a public place or bringing someone with you during the transaction.

Local newspapers

Local newspapers often have classified ads sections where individuals can sell vintage wedding dresses or other used items. While it may seem traditional, checking your local newspaper’s classifieds can be a fruitful way to find vintage wedding dresses. Some sellers may prefer this more personalized method of reaching potential buyers, allowing you to discover unique dresses that may not be listed online. Keep an eye out for special sections or editions focused on wedding-related items, as they might contain a higher number of vintage dress listings.

Wedding Dress Sample Sales and Trunk Shows

Bridal boutiques sample sales

Bridal boutiques occasionally hold sample sales where they sell off their sample dresses at significantly discounted prices. While the primary focus of these sales is on contemporary designs, you may be lucky enough to find vintage-inspired or even true vintage wedding dresses among the selection. Sample sales provide a unique opportunity to purchase designer dresses at a fraction of the original cost, making it a great option for budget-conscious brides who want to embrace a vintage aesthetic.

Wedding dress designer trunk shows

Wedding dress designer trunk shows are events organized by bridal boutiques to showcase a particular designer’s collection. These shows often offer brides the chance to see and try on dresses that are not typically available in-store. While trunk shows primarily feature contemporary designs, designers occasionally include vintage-inspired collections in their lines. Attending a trunk show can allow you to explore vintage-inspired options from renowned designers, giving you the opportunity to find a unique and high-quality vintage-inspired wedding dress.

Online Forums and Communities

Weddingbee

Weddingbee is an online community and forum where real brides share their experiences, advice, and recommendations. The forum has dedicated sections for wedding dress discussions, where brides-to-be often provide insights into their own vintage dress-shopping journeys. Reading through the threads on Weddingbee can give you valuable tips, suggestions, and recommendations for finding vintage wedding dresses. You may even come across posts from brides who are looking to sell their vintage gowns, providing you with potential opportunities to purchase a dress from a fellow bride.

The Knot

The Knot is a popular wedding planning website that features forums where brides and grooms can connect, share ideas, and seek advice. The Knot’s community forums include sections dedicated to wedding attire discussions, including finding vintage wedding dresses. Browsing through these forums can provide you with a wealth of information, including firsthand accounts of where other brides have found their vintage gowns and tips on navigating the vintage dress shopping process. The Knot’s forums are filled with knowledgeable and supportive community members ready to assist you in your search for the perfect vintage wedding dress.

Reddit’s r/WeddingDress

Reddit’s r/WeddingDress community is a dedicated space on the popular social media platform for discussions related to wedding dresses. Brides-to-be often share their experiences, seek recommendations, and showcase their own vintage wedding dress finds. This community is an excellent resource for connecting with other brides who share your passion for vintage fashion and can offer insights into where to find unique vintage wedding dresses. Engaging with the community allows you to tap into a vast pool of knowledge and gain inspiration for your own vintage dress search.

Antique Shops and Flea Markets

Local antique shops

Local antique shops can be a treasure trove for vintage wedding dresses, especially if they specialize in vintage clothing or bridal attire. Unlike dedicated wedding dress retailers, antique shops often have a more eclectic selection, allowing you to stumble upon hidden vintage gems from various eras. Visiting local antique shops can be an exciting and immersive experience, as you never know what vintage treasures you may discover while exploring the aisles.

Flea markets

Flea markets are bustling marketplaces where vendors gather to sell a vast array of items, including vintage clothing and accessories. While the selection at flea markets can be unpredictable, they are often frequented by vintage enthusiasts who may have vintage wedding dresses or clothing available. Exploring flea markets presents the opportunity to browse through a wide range of vintage items, and you may chance upon a vintage wedding dress that perfectly captures your vision.

Vintage fairs

Vintage fairs are events that bring together a collection of vendors specializing in vintage items, including clothing, accessories, and furniture. These fairs often take place in dedicated event spaces or permanent marketplaces and attract vintage enthusiasts from all walks of life. Vintage fairs are an ideal destination for finding unique and high-quality vintage wedding dresses, as vendors typically curate their offerings to cater to vintage fashion lovers. Attending a vintage fair allows you to immerse yourself in the vintage fashion scene and interact with knowledgeable sellers who are passionate about their collections.

Family and Friends

Family heirlooms

One of the most sentimental ways to incorporate vintage elements into your wedding is by wearing a family heirloom wedding dress. If your family has treasured wedding dresses passed down through generations, consider the possibility of wearing one on your special day. Not only does this option carry sentimental value, but it also allows you to honor family traditions and create a deeper connection with your loved ones. Wearing a family heirloom wedding dress adds an extra layer of history and meaning to your wedding, making it a truly unique and cherished experience.

Borrow from friends or family

If you don’t have a family heirloom wedding dress but know someone close to you who has one, consider borrowing it for your wedding day. Borrowing a vintage wedding dress from a friend or family member allows you to tap into the love and memories associated with their special day while creating new memories of your own. This option can be especially meaningful if the person you’re borrowing from is involved in your wedding, as it symbolizes their support and involvement in your journey. Borrowing from loved ones not only adds a personal touch to your wedding but also provides a cost-effective and sustainable option.