Everyone I know got married and all I got were these {fill in the blank} dresses... It's always fun to be in a wedding, but if your closet looks like the photo above and you need a t-shirt to explain it, you may be happy to know how easy it is to donate those dresses to someone who will love them far more than you ever did. I'll tell you how in a minute, but first I digress...
Earlier this week, I shared a story about a dissolving wedding dress that was designed to call attention to the growing problem of "throw-away fashion" in our society. I also shared the fact that over 70% of textiles end up in landfills, even though nearly 100% of textiles can be reused and/or recycled.
That got me thinking about how many hundreds of thousands of "single-use" bridesmaid dresses are probably languishing in closets all across the country. Case in point, who could forget the hilarious closet scene in 27 dresses...
It's laugh-out-loud funny because it's so extreme, but let's face it...no matter how great the dress, bridesmaid dresses rarely get worn again. And if you've been in a few weddings, you know how quickly those dresses can multiply in your closet...like colorful satin bunnies.
Instead of holding them hostage in your closet until they go out of style, set them free by donating them to someone who will be thrilled to wear them this year.
Donate My Dress is a national network of local organizations who collect and distribute thousands of free dresses to girls all over the country who dream of going to prom, but don't always have the funds to make it happen. If you can't find a dress-drive in your area, look for one of the many groups in the network who will accept dresses by mail. Most dresses will fit in a large flat rate box and can be shipped almost anywhere for less than $15.
Whatever you do, don't let them waste away in your closet...or worse, end up in a landfill. Whether you have one dress or two...or 27, donate them today. Take a stand against throw-away fashion and give your dresses a second chance at life. The girls who receive them will enjoy a lifetime of magical memories and may even pay it forward one-day by donating their dresses for other girls to love.
Prom season is coming up fast and dress drives are happening now all across the US. You can help make a girl's dream come true, help save the environment and score some extra room in your closet. Win!
For more information or to find a local donation drive visit www.donatemydress.org
Image Credits: Gowns on Fence | | Rack of Dresses
great post! There are so many options for refashioning bridesmaid dresses, none of them should be disposed of... There's also http://www.rubyroomseattle.org/ which provides prom dresses to girls who can't afford them. If anyone really has trouble getting rid of their dress, have them call me and I'll come get it! :)
Posted by: Tina | February 24, 2011 at 10:01 AM
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Posted by: wholesale handbags | February 24, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Thanks Tina! I could do a whole post on the refashion aspect...considered it actually...have another video in mind for that one...maybe I'll interview you for it!
Posted by: Cindi Brooks | February 24, 2011 at 08:30 PM
such a fantastic idea! i never kept my bridesmaid dresses for very long. i think i gave a number of them to goodwill and one got shipped off to Ukraine!
Posted by: alexandra keller | February 25, 2011 at 07:41 AM