[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/5-tips-for-buying-a-thrift-store-gown\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/5-tips-for-buying-a-thrift-store-gown\/","headline":"5 Tips for Buying a Thrift Store Gown","name":"5 Tips for Buying a Thrift Store Gown","description":"By Jennifer Dome If you\u2019re trying to keep your wedding budget on track, one alternative to buying a new wedding dress is finding one at...","datePublished":"2012-10-09","dateModified":"2021-07-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/#Person","name":"Equally Wed","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/","identifier":787,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Equally Wed","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","url":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","width":218,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/circle_1.gif","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/circle_1.gif","height":49,"width":49},"url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/5-tips-for-buying-a-thrift-store-gown\/","about":["Style Watch"],"wordCount":363,"articleBody":" By Jennifer DomeIf you\u2019re trying to keep your wedding budget on track, one alternative to buying a new wedding dress is finding one at a thrift store. Typically, designer dresses at these stores can be up to 40 percent off\u2014a deal that will make any bride smile!Follow these tips so you know you\u2019re getting the dress of your dreams.Find out about the gown\u2019s history. Where did the previous bride where  it? Was anyone smoking in or near the dress? These clues will tell you  how much damage the dress may have suffered. You can also ask if the  thrift store has the gown\u2019s original receipt. The original cost will  help you determine if the price they\u2019re asking for is on point.Examine the bottom of the dress closely. This is where many dresses  suffer the most damage. If it looks soiled or has any tears, make sure  the dress is long enough that you can trim and hem it, therefore cutting  off any of the damages.Pay attention to the size. The previous bride may have had the dress  taken in, meaning the size on the tag is no longer the true size. Find  out the dress\u2019s true measurements, and make sure you know your own.  Also, if you can determine whether there\u2019s extra fabric hidden in the  seams, because the dress was taken in, then the dress can be let out, if  need be. Remember to budget for alterations, because you may still need  them.Ask how the dress was cared for before it was sold or donated to the  thrift store, and what, if any, treatments the gown received since then.  Keep an eye out for food, drink or sweat stains. These may not come  out, if the dress has already been cleaned.If there are embellishments, such as beading or embroidery, missing or  coming loose, ask if you can have a seamstress look at the dress to see  what can be repaired and how much it will cost. This may help you  determine if a gown is repairable, or better left for kids to play  dress-up with.Photo: thebreathtakingbride.com"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"5 Tips for Buying a Thrift Store Gown","item":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/5-tips-for-buying-a-thrift-store-gown\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]