Searches for second-hand bridesmaid dresses have risen 17 per cent year-on-year as shoppers look to cut the cost of taking part in weddings, according to figures from resale marketplace Vinted.

A survey for the pre-loved platform found that almost a quarter of women who have been a bridesmaid have considered turning down the role because of the cost, rising to 35 per cent among those aged 25 to 34.

Almost six in 10 former bridesmaids said the role cost more than they had expected, while a third spent between £250 and £499 at their most recent wedding.

“Being asked to be a bridesmaid is a special moment, but our research shows that the cost of taking part is leaving some women questioning whether they can afford to say yes,” said Euan Steedman, Vinted UK communications lead.

“More than one in three women have already worn a second-hand outfit to a wedding, showing that people are increasingly looking for ways to celebrate these important moments without compromising on style or spending more than they need to.”

Some 36 per cent of bridesmaids paid for their own dress or outfit, climbing to 46 per cent among women aged 25 to 34, and 52 per cent among those in London.

Among former bridesmaids who have not worn their dress again, 42 per cent said they had not had another occasion to wear it. While, 25 per cent said the dress felt too recognisable from the wedding.

Nearly two thirds of women who have been bridesmaids said they would feel comfortable wearing a pre-owned bridesmaid dress, rising to 70 per cent among those aged 25 to 34.

More than a third (34 per cent) of women who have attended a wedding have already worn a second-hand outfit to the event. Saving money was the top reason, cited by 69 per cent, followed by avoiding buying something they would only wear once (38 per cent) and finding better-quality pieces for less (35 per cent).

Meanwhile, 80 per cent of women agreed it was “perfectly acceptable” to resell a bridesmaid dress after the wedding.

Formal dresses are listed on Vinted for an average of £11, with green, pink and blue the most searched-for bridesmaid dress colours.

Photo by Katelyn MacMillan on Unsplash

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