Will this ever look like anything other than a wedding dress?

[DorisLessingsCat]

I keep toying with the idea of dying my wedding dress (which is actually a skirt and a top) so I can wear it again at formal events.

If I did I would also use the material from the detachable train to make cap sleeves.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Or opinions on whether it would be worth it? Thanks

[Newbrummie]

Will you be heart broken if it looks shite and has to go in the bin. If in doubt don't ... Equally mine ended up at a charity shop

[BadgersArse]

what on earth would you wear it to?

[YourKidsYourRulesHunXxx]

I agree with brummie. I think you should give it to a charity shop if you aren't bothered about keeping it purely for sentimental reasons. It'll give someone else a lot of joy

[DorisLessingsCat]

The skirt has some discolouration on it - a damp wardrobe I think and it is 10 years old - so I'm not sure a charity shop is the way to go.

I go to 5 - 6 black tie events a year - mostly work related - so am in need of a regular supply of outfits.

If it went wrong I don't think I would be heartbroken, especially because the skirt is already stained.

[Greenrememberedhills]

Then why not. Think Gok Wan!

[KillmeNow]

I think it will always look a bit like a dyed wedding dress as it is - however since it is a top and skirt what about dyeing the skirt and leaving the top undyed. Or dyeing the top a different colour again?

Im always of the mind- "nothing ventured, nothing gained"

[DorisLessingsCat]

KillmeNow that's what I'm worried about but a genius idea to dye the top and skirt different colours. Thanks

[Twinklestein]

The dye won't take on the stitching if it's polyester. And to have it professionally dyed so that it won't run, they warn you it will shrink by up to 20%.

[burnishedsilver]

Presumably it's dry clean only. How are you planning on dyeing it? I'd expect it to shrink if it gets wet. Perhaps you could wear the top as is with a long black skirt.

[DorisLessingsCat]

I'd just take the risk I think. If I ruin it, so be it.

Any suggestions on colours?

[LettuceLaughton]

yy, risk it then!

No idea what colour suit you. Black or navy skirt? Rich jewel colour for the top?

[DorisLessingsCat]

Dared, stronger colours suit me. I try to avoid black because it is so ubiquitous. But maybe navy would be good for the skirt.

[DorisLessingsCat]

*darker

[BonzoDooDah]

Grey would look good - so it looks like a silk - could wear it for a lot of things then and wouldn't look anything like a wedding dress then.

[DorisLessingsCat]

Thanks BonzoDooDah. Grey might work.

I'm going to investigate dyes later.

I think if I do add sleeves they could be the same colour as the skirt, with the rest of the top a different colour. Or would that look too twee?

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

I think it would look good in a rich ruby red or emerald green

[MrsCampbellBlack]

As twinkel said - the stitching will stay white. I wouldn't do it personally.

[burnishedsilver]

I think the contrasting sleeve idea runs the risk looking jockey like.

[PrimroseEverdeen]

I would dye both of them navy!

[LizardBreath]

I would try navy too, could you have it shortened also?

[BikeRunSki]

I'm not sure the dye will take evenly on the discolouration.

[Pumpkinette]

I once tried to dye a wedding dress black for a costume using a cold water dye in the bath. It turned it lilac / purple but the stitching did take the dye. On further research afterwords I was advised I should have used more salt.

[DorisLessingsCat]

I could shorten it but the length suits me I have fat calves

Hmm I may rethink the sleeves in lieu of the jockey comment.

I think it's worth a try, or else it's just going to sit in the wardrobe for another 10 years.

[DorisLessingsCat]

pumpkinette I thought of using a rhino bucket, I'm terrified of dying the actual bath!

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

Not sure that the dye would cover the staining issue. I would take advice, if you decide that dyeing is the way to go.