Designer Wardrobe reports surge in pre-loved wedding gowns
- Written by: The Times
As Australia’s wedding season approaches, and amidst a challenging cost of living backdrop, new insights from Designer Wardrobe reveal that Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) brides and grooms are increasingly choosing pre-loved wedding dresses and rings to achieve their dream day more affordably.
Key data from Designer Wardrobe reveals:
From January to October 2024, pre-loved wedding dress listings on Designer Wardrobe surged by 53% year-on-year.
Additionally, wedding dress sales grew by 21% in 2024 compared to the previous year (January-October 2024 vs. January-October 2023).
Aidan Bartlett, CEO of Designer Wardrobe, explains: “With weddings in Australia expected to cost between $36,000 and $51,0001, couples are increasingly exploring ways to manage their wedding budgets more carefully, and many are opting for pre-loved dresses that can make their day just as special”
Beyond being a more sustainable choice, pre-loved bridal wear can offer significant savings on high-quality, designer gowns, making them accessible at a fraction of their original price.
“Shoppers can enjoy beautifully-made gowns that have been made to last by high-end designers, giving each piece a second lease of life rather than being stored away in the back of a wardrobe,” Bartlett adds.
“And, depending on the brand, these savings can range from 30% to over 60%, making it an appealing option for brides looking to prioritise style, sustainability, and of course, savings.”
How much will a pre-loved wedding dress set you back vs ‘as new’?
The top three highest-value wedding dresses sold on Designer Wardrobe over the last 12 months offered an impressive average saving of 52% off, highlighting the significant financial benefits of opting for pre-loved options.
|
RRP |
Sold |
Saving |
|
|
$4,200 |
$2,000 |
52% saving |
|
|
$2,500 |
$1,540 |
37% saving |
|
|
$4,400 |
$1,206 |
73% saving |
Top trending wedding dress designers brides are looking to buy:
Designer Wardrobe’s data also reveals the top wedding designer brands that Aussies and Kiwis have been searching for most:
Top trending wedding dresses brides are looking to buy:
And, the most popular wedding dresses brides are currently looking to buy on Designer Wardrobe deliver saving opportunities of between 30% through to 69% off the ‘as new’ price.
|
RRP |
Price on Designer Wardrobe |
Saving |
|
|
$9,000 |
$5,000 |
45% |
|
|
$7,000 |
$3,550 |
34% |
|
|
$6,000 |
$3,200 |
30% |
|
|
$4,500 |
$1,325 |
69% |
|
|
$4,300 |
$1,382 |
68% |
A stunning 1 carat marquise cut diamond platinum ring from Naverya & Sloane recently sold on Designer Wardrobe for $5,400, offering a saving of 61% its as new RRP ($14,251).
Aidan concludes: “Considering these beautiful dresses are made to last, but are only really worn for one day of celebration, reselling them post the big day can offer someone else the opportunity to enjoy the beauty the dress has to offer, and the opportunity to earn cash back - whether that’s to pay towards the honeymoon, or anything else exciting that’s coming up in their lives.”
For more information about Designer Wardrobe, a community of pre-loved fashion enthusiasts, please visit www.designerwardrobe.com.au
1 https://www.canstar.com.au/budgeting/what-does-a-wedding-cost/
Pic credit. Lovers By Ruby Jayne
