Increase the “Sell-ability” of Your Formal Dress

Whether you’re selling a gently used prom dress, new formal or wedding gown, there are a few basic tips you should take into consideration when taking photographs to accompany your formal dress ad.

The first thing to remember is that formal dresses look better when worn, thus you should take photos of your prom dress on a live person. Your formal will sell faster and potential dress buyers will get a more accurate, and a more flattering, idea of what the prom dress or formal will look like on them.

If you’re concerned about having your face in the photo, crop it out and show only the prom dress or formal from the neck down. If the formal no longer fits you, enlist the help of a friend who is the correct size for the gown. You may also choose to use a mannequin or dress form to show off the assets of the formal dress. If you're selling a used prom dress or other formal dress, consider displaying photos taken from the night you originally wore the dress. The photos of the formal dress will show you at your best and increase your changes of selling your used prom dress or gown.

A photo of the same dress, taken on the floor looks distorted and loses the flowing shape it has while worn. Shown on a mannequin, this red prom dress is elegant and proportionate.

If your formal gown has flattering detail work, be sure you include it in the photo. Most girls want prom dresses that offer unique or unusual details. The first photo emphasizes the open back of this black evening gown; the second photo shows off the beading on this red prom dress; the third shows a capped sleeve, a row of buttons and the way this wedding dress is form fitting; the last photo emphasizes the sash around the waist of this black homecoming dress.

When taking photos of used prom dresses in your home, use a neutral background or one solid color as a backdrop. Also make sure the color of the background is different than the color of the formal gown. In the first photo, the background distracts from this beautiful used prom dress. In the second, the solid background puts the entire emphasis on the strapless blue dress itself, making it more appealing.

 Most cameras have built in auto-focus. Use it. Make sure the photos of your formals are clear and in focus. A clear photo of your prom dress will go a long way in representing the virtues of your formal. The same black evening gown is displayed in each of the above photos. However, on the left we can't tell anything about the evening gown because we are distracted by the blur. On the right, the black evening gown is clear and focused, allowing us to see details.

Make sure you have good lighting when taking photos of your used prom dresses. Dark photos make it difficult to identify what your formal dresses really looks like. In the photo on the left, the pink prom dress looks dark and murky. On the right, we see the real color of the pink prom dress because of proper lighting.

 Following these photo guidelines when selling your used prom dress could make the difference between a quick sale and your old prom dresses or evening gowns cluttering your closet for years to come.