6 Unexpected Uses for Prom Dresses

March 28, 2014 By Rachel Leave a Comment

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Obviously, the primary use of a prom dress is to wear it! You’ll search for just the right one, whether it’s for an actual prom, or for some other formal/semi-formal event, fix up extra-special hair and makeup, and feel like a princess for a little while. But then what?

If you’ve chosen well (maybe from JJsHouse for their good pricing) hopefully you have a dress you’ll love to wear again for another formal occasion. But if your tastes have changed, or if you just prefer to wear a different dress for each big event so they’re accumulating in your closet, you’ll probably have to figure out what to do with a fancy dress you no longer need. Consider one of the following options:

1) Donate it.

Visit DonateMyDress.com to find out where you can donate your dress for someone else to use. You might be the reason someone else gets to go to prom at all.

2) Turn it into a “princess dress” for a little girl.

This dress from http://www.jjshouse.com/Prom-Dresses-c18/ would convert to a fabulous little-girl princess dress when you're finished with it. (Wide ribbon would make easy straps.) — This dress from http://www.jjshouse.com/Prom-Dresses-c18/ would convert to a fabulous little-girl princess dress when you’re finished with it. (Wide ribbon would make easy straps.)

Cut it down. But leave all the frills intact. Some little girl in your life will love a “fancy dress.” (Velcro is a good bet for the back, because it’s easy for little ones to open and close themselves.)

3) Refashion it.

Turn it into an all-new prom dress by making some changes. Shorten it. Add a layer and lengthen it. Add or remove sleeves. Take it from a fuller- to a slimmer-fit style. Dye it. You get the idea. Make it different.

4) REALLY Refashion it.

Rescue the fabric, but turn it into something entirely new and different (not a formal dress). A skirt, pajama pants, a purse, fabric flowers…these are all ideas I’ve seen suggested. You might have another fabulous idea. (I’d love for you to share it in the comments, by the way!)

5) Display it.

Is it really beautiful? Does it have nice lines? Consider putting it on display. Attach it to a wall, all splayed out, or hang in on a mannequin.

6) Build a scarecrow.

Construct a cross-shaped support from which to hang the dress. Then decorate a spherical object — even a rubber wall would work — to mount as the head. This could be a fun project with a Southern Belle-style gown, topped off with a coordinating hat.