The Rise of Pre-Loved Wedding Dresses
Written By Grace Yael
July 7, 2024
Everything is changing in the world of fashion. From TikTok and influencer-led trends to the rise of luxury consignment in response to fashion’s sustainability problem, style lovers are taking new approaches to building their wardrobes, and the wedding category is no different.
It may well be the last genre to join the resale movement—brides have typically budgeted for this moment for years—but there’s a soaring demand for pre-loved wedding dresses, signaling a seismic shift in the industry. As if on cue, Re: Galia launched earlier this year. The luxury resale platform, specifically created with gently worn Galia Lahav bridal gowns in mind, not only falls in step with the celebrity-adored label’s zero-waste policy but allows a new, younger demographic to enjoy couture-level craftsmanship at a more affordable price point.
It’s a smart business move, too. “Vintage” and “secondhand” search terms rank high in Google. And with peer-to-peer selling acting as a powerful extension of an individuals personal social media branding—added to the fact that wearing a dress once is now considered an outdated, wasteful concept—it all makes perfect sense.
The repercussions for modern brides, meanwhile, couldn’t be better. Gone are the days when falling in love with an ethereal gown, only to discover, financially speaking, that it is out of your league. The resale market is, by nature, inclusive and resonates with so many because it’s an achievable way to save energy and waste. While there is an undeniable sentimentality surrounding that dress known as “the one”—the reason many brides, traditionally, never parted with theirs—passing it on to be part of another’s love story only underscores its role in their tale.