Is this too obviously a wedding dress?

[cinnamonandnutmeg]

DH and I have been invited to a ball in the summer. I don't want to spend a lot on a gown that I'll probably only wear once, so I was wondering if I could get away with reusing my wedding dress. Before I got married a few friends commented that it didn't look typically bridal to them, but I'm not sure if what they really meant was "not bridal in comparison to other wedding dresses." Is it too obvious?

It’s beautiful - do NOT dye it!

Absolutely fine to wear to a ball, just add some non-bridal shoes, etc, and it’s perfect.

I think it’s just lovely and vote for wear it!

It’s absolutely beautiful, like others have said accessories will work wonders.

Gorgeous dress.

De-wedding-ify it with shoes and accessories, but for the love of god, don't dye it. I'm not a fan of black anything, but i think you could do something really striking with black statement colar necklace and some kind of black cumberband or stole or something. Brides don't wear black usually, so it will definitely dilute the wedding vibe and will also look stunning.

Not black shoes though. Nude or gold.

The dress is beautiful and looks a little 1950s so I’d enhance that look. You could get a wide belt or make a sash in a contrasting fabric and pick up the colour with accessories - bag or shoes (if you sew sashes are easy to make). Either will give it more of an edge if you want to make it less ‘romantic’ looking. Wear shoes, which are obviously non weddingy.

A couple of pics from Pinterest. Sashes are more often tied at the back but I thought this was interesting.

edit - I meant to add, metallics would work well. Black may be a little harsh, grey could be better if you’re looking for a more muted look. Maybe fold a black or grey skirt to see if you’d like a sash in that colour etc.

I wore these shoes to an all day wedding , they are soo comfortable. The handbag is super cute and funky. Mine was similar to the frilly bits on the shoes, but it doesn’t look as though they still have it.

You could pick one of the colours out from the bag and have a pretty sash or belt.

Beautiful dress. Please don't remove the lace or dye it as pp have suggested. If I seen you at a ball in that dress and you told me it was your wedding dress I would think how fantastic that you got to wear it again.

That's a beautiful dress where is it from? Definitely fine to wear as is in the summer!

I'd just wear it anyway! You could get it dyed otherwise

Also, I wouldn't assume it's a wedding dress if it's a ball and everyone is all dressed up, I don't feel it's overly bridal either

I would put a black/red/bright coloured grosgrain ribbon round the middle and stick a big coloured floral brooch on it or something accessories wise... It's beautiful. Also bright shoes & bag.

I'd just wear it, no sash or broach or flowers or whatever. Probably not with champagne coloured shoes and bag but otherwise go for it.

I don’t know how grand the ball you are going to is, but that is really very dressy for a summer ball, in my experience. Would you consider selling the wedding dress and using the proceeds to buy some more useful clothes for yourself?

If your DH is in black tie, a black cummerbund or narrow velvet ribbon belt would look gorgeous.

Dyeing it will be a disaster. You have got 3 different materials - the skirt, bodice and lace. You will not be to dye them all to exactly the same colour, and you will ruin it.

It's beautiful as it is. I agree with PPs saying accessories are the best way to de-weddingise it.

The dress is beautiful. You could get some appliqué flowers… I quite like daisys but there are loads of Choices then a matching colour belt /shoes

Please don't dye, remove the lace or sell it. It's beautiful. As others have said add colourful accessories.

It does look like a wedding dress - probably the colour and the lace. These ideas of adding a bright belt or chunky necklace are making my head spin. I think it would just look awful.

Not sure about adding a belt but a chunky vintage style statement necklace in a non bridal colour would give it an edge and dilute the bride-ness I think.

This!

Don’t dye - a professional dye job shrinks the garment by up to 20%.

A good seamstress could remove the lace across the sleeves and chest quite easily. And then you’ll have a dress that will be re-wearable not just for this occasion.

I wouldn't wear that. Google 'ball dress' and you'll see what I mean - 90% of people will be wearing a long slinky dress in a dark colour. The lace sleeves and the sparkly sash thing around the waist make yours very obviously bridal, as does the full skirt. It's a beautiful dress in itself but it's not a ball dress. Have you considered using one of the dress borrowing websites? By Rotation, Hurr, Girl Meets Dress are all options.

That is such a beautiful dress! I also think black accessories will give it a bit of 'edge', which is the opposite of the usual bridal look.

The lace removal idea could work but would be a shame if you ever want to pass it down as a wedding dress.

i wouldn’t remove the lace - the way it’s cut/shaped on the back is beautiful and very 1950s Grace Kelly/Deborah Kerr style.

It's beautiful!

I think that if it is a very dressy event then you could wear it and you wouldn't look like a bride. Less bridal shoes might help?