I am ashamed to say that I have a few things in my closet that have been worn only once. Among them are a pair of leg warmers (a cruel trend for those of us who are “vertically challenged” because they’re not supposed to go all the way up to your crotch), every bridesmaid’s dress that was I was promised would be “something that you’ll wear again…for SURE”, and a pair of rock-star skinny jeans that were an impulse purchase after I had had the stomach flu for 4 days and consequently lost 2 dress sizes worth of water weight. I wore them out the night of purchase, but after having 2 large glasses of water and a beer with my dinner, the jeans and I were no longer meant to be and we’ve yet to rekindle our friendship. Every once in a while I eat old grocery store sushi and expired dairy products during the week, in hopes of squeezing into them by Friday night, but so far no luck.
One garment that I am proud to admit to having worn only once, and happily never intend to wear again, is my wedding gown. In my opinion, this should be the most beautiful dress that you hope never to have use for again. After their nuptials, our mothers and grandmothers lovingly placed their gowns in the back of the closet to disarm dust bunnies with their beauty for the next 30 years or so, until their daughters took them out to examine before diplomatically assuring them that while their dress was gorgeous, it just didn’t fit their style. I am happy to report that these days, there is a variety of ways for your gown to bring happiness to people in need after you have worn it with love and joy on your wedding day. There are several foundations that will take your donated bridal gown and put it, or the revenue from its sale, toward charitable causes. Below I have listed a few of my favorite options, and donations to all of these organizations are tax-deductible.
This organization accepts gown donations from designers, manufacturers, bridal shops and individuals and sells them at discounted prices through their 32 annual “Nationwide Tour of Gowns” shows. The proceeds from sales go toward the Making Memories Foundation, which grants wishes for terminally ill Breast Cancer victims.
Whether it’s new or used, your gown can be donated to the I Do Foundation’s Dresses for Charity Program. Ten-percent of the sale price goes to the charity of your choice, and the remaining funds support the I Do Foundation’s ongoing work to encourage charitable giving at weddings. All donations are tax-deductible.
Seamstresses who donate their time and talents to this organization will turn your donated gown into lovely burial clothing for infants and memorial items for their families. While this may seem like a morbid possibility that we don’t want to think about, the fact is that thousands of infants die each year in our country and many parents have nothing to bury them in. This is a way to bring one small measure of comfort and beauty to families in despair. I do not think that this foundation has any religious affiliation.
This non-profit bridal boutique donates proceeds to provide educational services for NYC children in need through the Brooklyn Charter School and also other Day Care and Therapeutic Nursery Services. They specialize in one of a kind and designer gowns.
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