Help me dye a gown black

[allthekristys]

Hi! For the first time in my life, I bought a dress way ahead of an event. I knew I had a black tie wedding this upcoming October. This past January I bought a dress for it. I just found out it’s an all-black black tie wedding 🙃🙃🙃

I cannot return it as Macys return policy is only 30 days. The dress was expensive and I love it. But it’s purple. Has anyone ever attempted to dye a gown? It’s 95% polyester and 5% spandex.

Is this a stupid idea?
Any tips on dying? What to use? How to handle all the different cuts and layers of the dress?

Tell me your thoughts.

Here are pics of the dress.

[icedcoffee]

I've never done it so I'm no help but I hope you can! I love it too

[beenthere]

Rit DyeMore synthetic graphite
Wet it all the way through before you put it in the boiling dye

Long gloves and cheap tongs you can throw away but not plastic because boiling water

[allthekristys]

Jun 14, 2024 17:42:06 GMT -6 beenthere said:

Rit DyeMore synthetic graphite
Wet it all the way through before you put it in the boiling dye

Long gloves and cheap tongs you can throw away but not plastic because boiling water

Oh geez I didn’t realize boiling water, I need to find a pot big enough. Originally I was thinking of using like a tote but I can’t put boiling water into that.

[origami]

Jun 14, 2024 18:16:26 GMT -6 allthekristys said:

Jun 14, 2024 17:42:06 GMT -6 beenthere said:

Rit DyeMore synthetic graphite
Wet it all the way through before you put it in the boiling dye

Long gloves and cheap tongs you can throw away but not plastic because boiling water

Oh geez I didn’t realize boiling water, I need to find a pot big enough. Originally I was thinking of using like a tote but I can’t put boiling water into that.

Goodwill near me usually has really big pots. Or you could put boiling water in your bathtub....but then your bathtub might turn black lol

[beenthere]

Jun 14, 2024 18:39:12 GMT -6 origami said:

Jun 14, 2024 18:16:26 GMT -6 allthekristys said:

Oh geez I didn’t realize boiling water, I need to find a pot big enough. Originally I was thinking of using like a tote but I can’t put boiling water into that.

Goodwill near me usually has really big pots. Or you could put boiling water in your bathtub....but then your bathtub might turn black lol

I absolutely would not do this. If you can't find a big pot at goodwill, get a heavy duty Rubbermaid tub. Asian markets will usually have large pots for pho making as well if you have one near you.

[lucilleaustero]

Hey. Regular clothes dyer here. Black rit dy is meant to be used on light fabrics and often will not turn a non light base black. Your best bet is to use color theory. Using the color wheel, find the color opposite the color of your dress. The photo reads a our ly maroon so your best bet would be mixing a darker green/ yellow dye with the black.

You can also double the strength of black, but the red/ purple will not be completely cancelled out, but the darkness may make that a moot point.

[sweptaway]

Honestly I wouldn't mess with it if you love it. Wear it as is (I hate such explicit wedding dress codes and it's close enough to black. You won't be the only one) or resell it somewhere and buy a black dress.

[allthekristys]

Jun 15, 2024 5:07:44 GMT -6 sweptaway said:

Honestly I wouldn't mess with it if you love it. Wear it as is (I hate such explicit wedding dress codes and it's close enough to black. You won't be the only one) or resell it somewhere and buy a black dress.

I def won’t wear it as is. I wouldn’t dare not wear all black. I have thought about reselling it, or just keeping it and maybe being able to wear it at some point in the future. I just figured that dying it might help make it wearable, knowing it might not.

This dress comes in black, I just wish I could exchange it 😫

Also, I might just go out and get a new one anyway. My gf needs to shop for a dress for herself so I’ll be going out anyways…

[coconutbacon]

Is the dress still in the store? It might be worth it to take it in and see if it could be exchanged, even though it’s past the 30 days. A lot of times managers can use their discretion with return policies. Since it’s clearly unworn and you’re looking to exchange not return, they may be willing. Especially if you’re there in the store and potentially will spend some additional money on accessories, another item, etc.

[allthekristys]

Jun 15, 2024 7:54:50 GMT -6 coconutbacon said:

Is the dress still in the store? It might be worth it to take it in and see if it could be exchanged, even though it’s past the 30 days. A lot of times managers can use their discretion with return policies. Since it’s clearly unworn and you’re looking to exchange not return, they may be willing. Especially if you’re there in the store and potentially will spend some additional money on accessories, another item, etc.

I tried already. They offered me an $80 paper check that would be sent in the mail that I could only use in the store. I opted to not do that. I still could go back and try that, I assume.

[AmyG]

I've had bad luck dying things not cotton. Of course the dye specifically for the fabric it's made of should give reasonable results I'm not sure reasonable is what you want here. I'd hate to ruin it

[sweptaway]

Jun 15, 2024 7:00:04 GMT -6 allthekristys said:

Jun 15, 2024 5:07:44 GMT -6 sweptaway said:

Honestly I wouldn't mess with it if you love it. Wear it as is (I hate such explicit wedding dress codes and it's close enough to black. You won't be the only one) or resell it somewhere and buy a black dress.

I def won’t wear it as is. I wouldn’t dare not wear all black. I have thought about reselling it, or just keeping it and maybe being able to wear it at some point in the future. I just figured that dying it might help make it wearable, knowing it might not.

This dress comes in black, I just wish I could exchange it 😫

Also, I might just go out and get a new one anyway. My gf needs to shop for a dress for herself so I’ll be going out anyways…

Have you tried actually going to the store and asking for an exchange? If the tags are still on you might get a sympathetic manager willing to bend policy especially if they still carry it

[sweptaway]

Oh I see. Sorry!

[snowyowl]

Jun 15, 2024 7:00:04 GMT -6 allthekristys said:

Jun 15, 2024 5:07:44 GMT -6 sweptaway said:

Honestly I wouldn't mess with it if you love it. Wear it as is (I hate such explicit wedding dress codes and it's close enough to black. You won't be the only one) or resell it somewhere and buy a black dress.

I def won’t wear it as is. I wouldn’t dare not wear all black. I have thought about reselling it, or just keeping it and maybe being able to wear it at some point in the future. I just figured that dying it might help make it wearable, knowing it might not.

This dress comes in black, I just wish I could exchange it 😫

Also, I might just go out and get a new one anyway. My gf needs to shop for a dress for herself so I’ll be going out anyways…

If keeping it and getting a different dress for the wedding is an option, I think you should. That’s a great color on you (I’m a red-head with similar coloring and I LOVE that shade of purple with my hair).

[brux]

Jun 15, 2024 8:17:40 GMT -6 allthekristys said:

Jun 15, 2024 7:54:50 GMT -6 coconutbacon said:

Is the dress still in the store? It might be worth it to take it in and see if it could be exchanged, even though it’s past the 30 days. A lot of times managers can use their discretion with return policies. Since it’s clearly unworn and you’re looking to exchange not return, they may be willing. Especially if you’re there in the store and potentially will spend some additional money on accessories, another item, etc.

I tried already. They offered me an $80 paper check that would be sent in the mail that I could only use in the store. I opted to not do that. I still could go back and try that, I assume.

i would try again in store, maybe at a different location. And explain the story and hopefully some kind worker will find a way to help you exchange it.

[Yogurt]

Ugh this is a very annoying situation to me. A wedding dress code like that would not make me happy.

[Eagles]

I'm spiteful so if someone told me that I had to wear a black gown as a guest, I'd roll up in blue or green. Or not go.

This is not helpful, I'm just an asshole.

[Yogurt]

Jun 15, 2024 12:26:50 GMT -6 Eagles said:

I'm spiteful so if someone told me that I had to wear a black gown as a guest, I'd roll up in blue or green. Or not go.

This is not helpful, I'm just an asshole.

It just says "bridezilla" to me. I acknowledge that this is not the point of this post. Let people come celebrate without being so controlling

[daisy]

This situation kind of stinks, but I would save the dress for another event, and buy a different black dress. I’d be too worried about the dye not coming out right. And also, it’s a really nice color as it is right now.

[trueblue]

Do you have any formal wear consignment/resale shops around? Maybe you could mitigate the financial hit by selling your dress and getting one in one transaction?

[Wtfshouldmynamebe]

Jun 15, 2024 12:26:50 GMT -6 Eagles said:

I'm spiteful so if someone told me that I had to wear a black gown as a guest, I'd roll up in blue or green. Or not go.

This is not helpful, I'm just an asshole.

100% chance people will wear other colors. And dresses with one color mixed with black.

[Eagles]

Jun 15, 2024 12:44:40 GMT -6 Yogurt said:

Jun 15, 2024 12:26:50 GMT -6 Eagles said:

I'm spiteful so if someone told me that I had to wear a black gown as a guest, I'd roll up in blue or green. Or not go.

This is not helpful, I'm just an asshole.

It just says "bridezilla" to me. I acknowledge that this is not the point of this post. Let people come celebrate without being so controlling

It's because they care more about their photos looking Pinterest worthy than their actual guests.

[Bookshelves]

Add a black pashmina or wrap, since it’s October, and call it a day!

[roselab]

I would definitely try taking it with you to the store, explaining the situation and asking to exchange it for the black version of the dress. If the store is close by, I would probably try multiple times with multiple cashiers if the 1st tells you no. I would no try dying the dress because the chance of it turning out badly and ruining the dress is high. If you don't have luck exchanging the dress, I would prob. wear something else and either try to sell the dress or save it for another occasion.

[cricketnoise]

If you absolutely adore it (and it IS really cute on you! You look great!), and depending on how much it was originally, you can spend the money to dye it professionally. I did that recently for something I didn't want to risk trying to home dye.

www.alteriaonline.com/services

Mine was a few hundred dollars to dye. For me, worth it, because it was a custom dress and would have been twice as expensive to remake in the color I needed.

[allthekristys]

Thanks everyone!! I think I was talked into not dying this gown, keeping it and hoping I have somewhere to wear it to, eventually. And going out and finding a different gown.

While I wish I knew it was an all black black tie before buying this, it is what it is and I will most definitely NOT show up in anything other than all black. While I am sure there may be some people who don't abide by the dress code request, I really do think that, for the most part, people will abide by it. This wedding is more of an 'event' then a wedding really. I believe there are around 300 people attending. It is at a VERY fancy place and the family that is throwing the wedding is very known for being very elaborate in everything they do. No one invited expects anything less from them. So this makes total sense. The brides are just going with it for the most part. I am VERY excited for the wedding, and to be super dressed up, the night away, etc. I will circle back and show y'all what I end up with.

Now I will take some store recommendations...Macys and Nordstroms. Also small boutiques. Anyone have any other recs on places to check out for gowns? I am in the Philly area, so if you also are in this area and have boutique recs let me know!

[beenthere]

I support your plan of not dyeing it and just buying new. It sounds like a worthwhile event to buy a second new dress for. Maybe you and your wife need to plan a second fancy date night to wear the maroon 💜

[microworm]

Jun 15, 2024 16:11:32 GMT -6 Eagles said:

Jun 15, 2024 12:44:40 GMT -6 Yogurt said:

It just says "bridezilla" to me. I acknowledge that this is not the point of this post. Let people come celebrate without being so controlling

It's because they care more about their photos looking Pinterest worthy than their actual guests.

I know it's not the point of the post but I just went through this. There was a "dress code palette" with a few colors which in the end I chose not to abide by and I was in good company. All black is easier but still annoying (to me). 

[angelashly]

Jun 17, 2024 8:56:49 GMT -6 allthekristys said:

Thanks everyone!! I think I was talked into not dying this gown, keeping it and hoping I have somewhere to wear it to, eventually. And going out and finding a different gown.

While I wish I knew it was an all black black tie before buying this, it is what it is and I will most definitely NOT show up in anything other than all black. While I am sure there may be some people who don't abide by the dress code request, I really do think that, for the most part, people will abide by it. This wedding is more of an 'event' then a wedding really. I believe there are around 300 people attending. It is at a VERY fancy place and the family that is throwing the wedding is very known for being very elaborate in everything they do. No one invited expects anything less from them. So this makes total sense. The brides are just going with it for the most part. I am VERY excited for the wedding, and to be super dressed up, the night away, etc. I will circle back and show y'all what I end up with.

Now I will take some store recommendations...Macys and Nordstroms. Also small boutiques. Anyone have any other recs on places to check out for gowns? I am in the Philly area, so if you also are in this area and have boutique recs let me know!

How about renting?

Or lulus www.lulus.com/categories/2106_8241/black-tie-wedding-guest-dresses.html?c=114&subsite=bridal