For over a century, formal wedding gowns have been seen as the epitome of elegance and a symbol of love, but they’ve also been seen as a little boring. Choosing between pure white, eggshell, cream, and other shades of white have made wedding gowns, no matter how intricate the lace or beadwork, a little one note. That’s changing with the rising popularity of dip dye.
Tie-dying t-shirts to get colorful spiral patterns might be a summer activity straight out of childhood, but getting the bottom layer of your gown dip dyed adds a hint of color to an otherwise black and white occasion without the loud starbursts or the mess. Choosing a single color provides a compliment to the color scheme of the wedding, or maybe a nod to the flowers that are a part of the bouquet, but it also makes for a subtle hint of fun. Choosing multiple colors will make a more dramatic statement and a more unique look.
The dip dye trend isn’t just for show though; it’s also practical. If a bride has a floor length gown trailing behind her or brushing the ground during an outdoor wedding, it doesn’t take long for dirt and dust to be visible in the usually pale fabric. A little color goes a long way in keeping the dress picture perfect for all the snapshots taken by guests and photographers on the big day.
Dip dying itself is a relatively painless procedure as most fabric dyes come with detailed instructions on their packages. All you need is a container large enough to mix your dye, dye salt, and water in, a pair of rubber gloves, and a little patience. All you have to do is, as the name suggests, dip the area of the fabric you’d like dyed into the mixture, though it will have to sit for about 30 minutes if you want a darker hue. You can place more fabric into the mixture over time to get the ombre look as well.
While dip dying can be a relatively simple process, if you’ve never dyed anything before, it’s probably best to leave it up to the professionals so your dress looks perfect.
