Christmas party season is on its way, and with it comes the usual panic of “I’ve got nothing to wear!” But before you rush to buy something new, it’s worth checking out the second-hand options. From sparkly sequins to classic velvet, there are so many beautiful pre-loved party dresses waiting to be rediscovered – and often at a fraction of the price.
Buying second-hand isn’t just about saving money (though that’s a huge bonus). It’s also about finding unique pieces, avoiding fast fashion, and doing something kinder for the planet. And as if all that wasn’t enough, you’re far less likely to turn up in the same dress as someone else. 😁
When buying pre-loved, condition matters more than brand names. Check for loose sequins, marks, or pulled threads, but don’t be put off by minor issues – many can be easily fixed. A quick wash or trip to the dry cleaner can make a second-hand dress look brand new.
It’s also worth keeping an open mind about sizes. Different brands fit differently, and sometimes a quick alteration or adding a belt can make the perfect fit.
Once you’ve found your dream dress, you can make it your own with accessories. A simple black dress can be dressed up with statement jewellery, or a vintage sparkly number can be paired with a modern clutch or heels. Don’t forget to look second-hand for accessories too – there are gorgeous shoes, bags, and jewellery out there just waiting for another night out.
Here’s a few of my favourite places to find pre-loved party outfits…
Charity Shops
We have four charity shops in our village and already two of them have a party dress rail filled with sparkle, glitter and other fancy outfits that would be perfect for a Christmas party.
I had a quick scan through the party rails in these two shops (Mind and Age UK) and took a few photos of different dresses in a few different sizes to give you an idea of what they had on offer.
These dresses range between £1.99 to £7.99 for the most part. There is one in there for £15 and it’s the shimmery lilac dress on the top left of the second picture. My least favourite of all of them but I just included it I wanted to include a range of dresses and this one from Zara was a bit different.
Vinted
I love love love Vinted!
I just quickly filtered ‘Ladies party dress’ to those that were priced £10 or less to give you an idea of the sorts of outfits you can get here although I’ll be honest, I focused mainly on sparkle purely because that’s what I like to wear if I’m going to any Christmas parties. 🥳
Whatever your size, budget and style – there’s an outfit for any occasion on Vinted for you!
Here’s a few sparklies to give you an idea…
I like to filter to ‘Brand New with Tags’ (BNWT) and always select ‘as new’ or ‘excellent’ condition so I can be as confident as possible that I’m getting something I will be happy to wear.
Facebook Marketplace
This is one of the easiest selling platforms around and with no selling or buying fees, it’s the platform of choice for so many people when selling anything at all which means it’s no surprise that when I searched ladies party dresses in my area, there were SO MANY options to look at.
To narrow down the field a bit, I filtered to dresses that cost a maximum of £5 and there were a fair few results from even just that. I snipped a few of them to give you an idea of what that gets you on Facebook Marketplace…
The one issue that I have with clothes on Facebook Marketplace is simply that you are collecting from the seller directly usually and this normally takes place on their doorstep where you will have a quick look at the item and handover your money with no idea if it fits and an awkward interaction if you decide you don’t really like it in person.
There’s some great bargains to be had if you’re OK with that though. 🥳
Choosing pre-loved isn’t just good for your bank balance; it’s part of a more thoughtful, sustainable Christmas. By giving a dress a second life, you’re reducing waste and supporting charities and small sellers at the same time. And let’s be honest – it feels amazing to look great knowing you’ve spent a fraction of what others have.
So this year, skip the high street and head for the pre-loved rails instead. You’ll find something beautiful, save yourself a small fortune, and help the planet too – all while looking absolutely fabulous at every festive party.
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