You can sell your wedding dress for 30-60% of the original retail price, with never-worn dresses fetching up to 70%.1 The best platform depends on your priorities: Stillwhite offers the largest bridal-specific audience with $124 million in total sales, while consignment services like Nearly Newlywed handle everything for a 20% fee.2 Most dresses sell within 3-6 months, though designer gowns in popular sizes move faster.
The global wedding dress resale market has grown significantly as brides seek sustainable options and sellers look to recoup costs averaging $1,500-$3,000.3 Whether your dress is brand new with tags or worn once with minor alterations, there's a buyer waiting.
Quick Answer: How Much Can You Sell Your Wedding Dress For?
The resale value of your wedding dress depends primarily on condition, designer brand, age, and market demand. Here's what to expect based on dress condition:
| Condition | Expected Price (% of Retail) | Example: $2,000 Dress |
|---|---|---|
| Never worn, with tags | 60-70% | $1,200-$1,400 |
| Worn once, excellent condition | 50-60% | $1,000-$1,200 |
| Worn once, professionally cleaned | 45-55% | $900-$1,100 |
| Minor alterations (hem, bustle) | 35-50% | $700-$1,000 |
| Major alterations (bodice, significant resizing) | 20-40% | $400-$800 |
| Older style (5+ years) | 20-30% | $400-$600 |
| Vintage (20+ years, good condition) | 30-100%+ | Varies widely |
Designer dresses from brands like Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier, Pronovias, and Maggie Sottero retain value better than budget alternatives. A $5,000 Vera Wang might sell for $2,500-$3,500, while a $500 budget dress may only fetch $150-$250.
Regional Price Expectations
| Market | Average Original Price | Typical Resale Range |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1,900-$2,500 USD | $600-$1,500 USD |
| United Kingdom | £1,200-£1,800 GBP | £400-£1,000 GBP |
| Australia | $2,000-$3,500 AUD | $700-$1,800 AUD |
Best Places to Sell Your Wedding Dress
Specialized Bridal Marketplaces
Stillwhite is the largest dedicated wedding dress marketplace, with over 104,000 active listings and $124 million in total sales.1 The platform charges a one-time $25 listing fee plus 7% success fee when your dress sells. Premium listings ($35) include homepage gallery placement and HD video features. Stillwhite operates globally with strong presence in the US, UK, and Australia.
Nearly Newlywed operates on a consignment model where they handle photography assistance and buyer communication.2 Sellers keep 80% of the sale price (85% for bridal salons). The $25 listing fee is straightforward, and the platform has rehomed over 40,000 dresses since 2004. They provide shipping labels and insurance, so sellers never pay shipping costs.
PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is one of the oldest bridal resale platforms, offering good visibility for designer gowns. Similar fee structure to Stillwhite with dedicated customer service for both buyers and sellers.
General Marketplaces
eBay offers massive reach with 135 million active buyers globally. Final value fees range from 13.25-15% depending on your seller status.4 Wedding dresses fall under "Clothing, Shoes & Accessories" category. Best for budget dresses under $500 where the larger audience compensates for higher fees.
Poshmark charges 20% commission on sales over $15 (flat $2.95 for sales under $15).5 The social shopping platform works well for trendy, contemporary styles. Shipping is handled through Poshmark's flat-rate label paid by buyers. Available in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Facebook Marketplace offers free local listings with no fees for in-person transactions. Ideal for quick sales to local buyers who want to try on the dress before purchasing. Payment security is limited compared to dedicated platforms.
UK-Specific Options
Sell My Wedding Dress UK charges just £3 per listing with no commission on sales.6 You keep 100% of the sale price. The platform focuses exclusively on the UK market with straightforward local transactions.
Still White UK operates the same global Stillwhite platform with UK-specific search options and GBP pricing.
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Listing Fee | Commission | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stillwhite | $25 | 7% | Designer dresses, global reach |
| Nearly Newlywed | $25 | 20% | Hands-off selling, consignment |
| eBay | Free (first 250) | 13.25% | Budget dresses, large audience |
| Poshmark | Free | 20% | US market, trendy styles |
| Facebook Marketplace | Free | 0% | Local sales, quick transactions |
| Sell My Wedding Dress UK | £3 | 0% | UK sellers, maximum profit |
Pricing Your Wedding Dress to Sell
Factors That Affect Resale Value
Designer reputation: Premium designers (Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier) command higher resale prices. Mid-range designers (Maggie Sottero, Pronovias, Allure Bridals) hold moderate value. Budget brands depreciate faster.
Dress condition: Stains, tears, missing beads, or yellowing significantly reduce value. Professional cleaning before listing can increase your sale price by 10-20%.
Alterations: Unaltered dresses in original condition sell for maximum value. Reversible alterations (hem let down, bustle added) reduce value less than permanent changes (bodice restructured, significant resizing).
Size and style: Popular sizes (US 6-12, UK 10-16) sell faster. Timeless silhouettes (A-line, ball gown) appeal to more buyers than very trendy styles that date quickly.
Age: Current or recent season dresses command premium prices. Styles 3-5 years old sell for less. True vintage (20+ years) can actually increase in value if well-preserved and fashionable.
Accessories included: Matching veil, belt, or accessories add 5-15% to perceived value.
Pricing Strategy
Research comparable listings on your chosen platform before setting your price. Search for your exact designer and style number, or similar silhouettes in comparable condition.
Starting price strategy: List at 10-15% above your target sale price to allow negotiation room. Most buyers expect to negotiate 5-10% off the asking price.
Price adjustment timeline: If you haven't received inquiries within 2-3 weeks, consider a 10% price reduction. Review and adjust pricing monthly if the dress isn't selling.
Preparing Your Dress for Sale
Professional Cleaning
Have your dress professionally cleaned before photographing and listing. Clean dresses photograph significantly better and buyers pay premium for ready-to-wear condition. Wedding dress cleaning typically costs $150-$300 USD / £100-£200 GBP / $200-$400 AUD.3
Tell the cleaner you're selling the dress, not preserving it. They'll focus on stain removal and presentation rather than long-term storage preparation. Skip preservation packaging that adds cost without benefiting the buyer.
Photography Tips
Quality photos are the single most important factor in selling your dress. Poor photos result in fewer inquiries and lower offers.
Essential shots to include:
- Full-length front view on a dress form or hanger
- Full-length back view showing buttons, lacing, or train
- Close-up of bodice detail, beading, or embroidery
- Any unique features (sleeves, neckline, waistline)
- Detail of fabric texture
- Photos of any flaws, stains, or wear (honesty builds trust)
Photography best practices:
- Use natural daylight, ideally near a large window
- Shoot against a plain white or neutral background
- Hang the dress at eye level on a quality padded hanger
- Steam or press the dress before photographing
- Include a photo of the designer label or tag
- Take photos at multiple angles
What to avoid:
- Flash photography that washes out detail
- Selfie-style photos wearing the dress
- Screenshots from the designer's website
- Dark, cluttered backgrounds
- Wrinkled or creased fabric
Writing an Effective Listing
Your listing description should provide all information a buyer needs to make a decision:
Must-include information:
- Designer name and style number
- Size on label plus current measurements if altered
- Exact measurements: bust, waist, hips, hollow-to-hem length
- Fabric content (silk, polyester, tulle, etc.)
- Color (ivory, white, champagne, blush)
- Any alterations made with specific details
- Original retail price and purchase date
- Current condition with honest description of any flaws
- Whether professionally cleaned
- Reason for selling (cancelled wedding, dress swap, etc.)
Tips for compelling descriptions:
- Lead with the most appealing feature
- Be honest about condition—buyers appreciate transparency
- Mention the type of wedding the dress suits (beach, formal, garden)
- Include keywords buyers might search (boho, minimalist, princess)
Shipping Your Wedding Dress Safely
Proper shipping protects both you and the buyer and prevents disputes.
Packaging Requirements
Materials needed:
- Acid-free tissue paper for padding
- Clean white cotton muslin or tissue for wrapping
- Sturdy cardboard box (not used moving boxes)
- Bubble wrap for outer protection
- Packing tape
Packing steps:
- Fold the dress carefully using tissue paper between layers
- Wrap the folded dress in clean white cotton or tissue
- Place in a plastic bag for moisture protection during transit
- Surround with bubble wrap in the shipping box
- Fill empty spaces to prevent shifting
- Seal securely with packing tape
Shipping Costs by Region
| Route | Typical Cost | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|
| US domestic | $30-$60 USD | 3-5 business days |
| UK domestic | £15-£30 GBP | 2-3 business days |
| Australia domestic | $30-$50 AUD | 3-7 business days |
| International | $80-$200+ | 7-21 business days |
Insurance
Always ship with insurance equal to the sale price. Most platforms require tracking and recommend insurance. If a dress is lost or damaged in transit without insurance, you're responsible for refunding the buyer.
Carrier options:
- USPS Priority Mail with insurance (US)
- UPS with declared value (US/global)
- Royal Mail Special Delivery (UK)
- Australia Post with extra cover (AU)
Consignment vs. Direct Sale
When to Choose Consignment
Consignment works best when:
- You want hands-off selling without managing inquiries
- You lack time for photography and listing management
- Your dress is a premium designer that benefits from professional presentation
- You're comfortable with lower net proceeds for convenience
Typical consignment terms: Shops keep 40-50% of sale price for local boutiques, 20% for online services like Nearly Newlywed.
When to Sell Direct
Direct selling works best when:
- You want to maximize your proceeds
- You have time to manage the listing and buyer communication
- You're comfortable with photography and shipping
- Your dress is moderately priced where commission savings matter more
Comparison
| Factor | Consignment | Direct Sale |
|---|---|---|
| Your effort | Minimal | Moderate-high |
| Commission paid | 20-50% | 7-20% (platform fees) |
| Photography | Usually handled | Your responsibility |
| Pricing control | Limited | Full control |
| Timeline | May be longer | You control |
| Shipping | Usually handled | Your responsibility |
Alternatives to Selling
If selling doesn't feel right, consider these alternatives:
Donate: Organizations like Brides Across America and Angel Gowns accept wedding dress donations. Some create burial gowns for infants from donated dresses.
Preserve: Professional preservation costs $300-$500 and protects your dress for 50-100 years if you want to keep it for sentimental reasons.
Repurpose: Transform your dress into christening gowns, anniversary dinner outfits, or decorative pieces.
Pass down: Store properly for a daughter, niece, or family member who might want it.
Tips for Faster Sales
- List during engagement season (November-February) when buyers actively search
- Respond to inquiries within 24 hours—fast responses convert to sales
- Offer reasonable negotiation on price (5-10% flexibility)
- Include shipping in your price to simplify the transaction
- Cross-list on multiple platforms to maximize exposure (adjust prices to account for different fees)
- Update your listing monthly to stay visible in search results
- Consider a second-hand dress buyer's perspective—what would make you confident purchasing?
Sources and References
Footnotes
-
Stillwhite, Sell Your Wedding Dress, 2025. https://www.stillwhite.com/sell ↩ ↩2
-
Nearly Newlywed (via PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com), Seller Guide, 2025. https://www.preownedweddingdresses.com/sell-wedding-dress ↩ ↩2
-
The Knot, Average Cost of Wedding Dress 2025, 2025. https://www.theknot.com/content/average-cost-of-wedding-dress ↩ ↩2
-
eBay, Selling Fees, 2025. https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/selling/start-selling-on-ebay/seller-fees ↩
-
Poshmark Support, Seller Fees, 2025. https://support.poshmark.com/s/article/297755057 ↩
-
Sell My Wedding Dress UK, How to Sell, 2025. https://www.sellmyweddingdress.co.uk/ ↩