17-year-old sister ruins 22-year-old woman's “dream dress” that she bought for a special event, cries when asked to pay for it: 'I worked hard to afford that dress'

Author image for Baiz Hoen
Baiz Hoen
Feb 17, 2025 11:00 PM EST

There are some things that money can't buy. Happiness is the big one. A personality, probably. Love and affection, for sure. But there are few things that feel as good as finally being able to buy that one thing you've spent months, even years, saving up for. There's a sense of accomplishment involved, for working hard and being responsible with your money. And there's also a huge reward! You've looked forward to having the one thing that your money could buy, and now you're able to make the purchase. 

One woman's big purchase was a very special dress for a fancy college event. A dream dress is a highly coveted item in a fashionable person's life, and getting that work of art in your closet is nothing to sneeze at. So when her sister asked to try it on, this woman made sure to tell her to be careful with it. As things go, her sister ruined it, and now this woman wants her to pay for the damage. Do you agree that her sister should make up for her mistake? Or is this too much for her to ask? Scroll through to see what you think of this messy situation.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10465008896
    via Laura Chouette
  • 02

    "AITA for making my younger sister pay for my dream dress after she ruined it?"

    Okay, so this is a bit messy. I (22F) have always dreamed of wearing a specific dress for a special event. It's a vintage-style evening gown, pale blue with silver accents, and I saved for months to buy it. The dress was expensive for me― around $500-but it was worth every penny. I was planning to wear it to a formal gala my university hosts every year.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 03
    Here's where my sister (17F), let's call her Emma, comes in. Emma is a typical teenager, loves TikTok trends, always trying new styles. Last weekend, she begged me to try on the dress. I was hesitant but eventually said yes under one condition: she had to stay in my room with no makeup, food, or drinks near it. She agreed, and I thought it would be fine.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 04
    An hour later, I walked into my room to see Emma panicking. She had spilled bright pink nail polish on the front of the dress. She tried scrubbing it off, which only made it worse. I was devastated. I told her she needed to either get it professionally cleaned or pay me back since the dress was now essentially ruined.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 05
    Emma cried and said she didn't have that kind of money. My parents think I'm being too harsh, arguing that she's a kid and it was an accident. They say I should let it go or share the cost of repairs with her. I stood my ground and said that she needs to face the consequences of her carelessness.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 06
    Now Emma's been giving me the silent treatment, and my parents are upset with me for "ruining the family vibe." I'm not rich, and I worked hard to afford that dress. I feel like it's only fair for Emma to take responsibility. But part of me wonders if I'm being too harsh since she is still a teenager.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 07
    So, AITA for demanding that my sister pay for the damage to my dress?
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 08

    Commenters told this girl she was in the right to ask her sister to pay for it.

    Cheezburger Image 10465009152
    via Kadarius Seegars
  • 09
    NTA. She broke your rules, damaged your dress, and should take responsibility. It's not harsh—it's teaching accountability. Maybe set up a payment plan if she can't pay all at once.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 10

    Sounds like an "Amy March burning Jo's manuscript" situation to me...

    NTA. She knew the terms and decided nail polish was a good idea? Was this possibly on purpose?
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 11
    Not too harsh in any way. She knew what she was doing. Why would she even have an open bottle of polish anywhere near your dress?
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 12

    Let's hope it can get cleaned.

    Take it to a cleaners to see if the polish can even be removed or the dress repaired. If it can, Emmal needs to pay for it. She was careless, what made her think she should even open up a bottle of nail polish while wearing your dress.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 13
    Never let Emma try on anything again. NTA I would be livid.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 14
    I agree that you should be reimbursed. What on earth was she doing with nail polish?? At 17 it's important to know, or learn, that actions have consequences. If she had damaged someone else's property, would not her parents be liable? I think as long as you're handling things in a respectful way, you're NTAH.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 15
    Your sister wanted to wear your dress or tear your dress? Is she the golden child by any chance? Gets whatever she wants and gets away with anything?
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 16
    I bet she doesn't like you having nice things either. What's yours is hers, or what's she's not allowed to have neither are you.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 17
    NTA. Your sister was careless with your valuable and sentimental possession. It's reasonable to expect her to take responsibility for the damage she caused.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 18
    Well, SOMEONE needs to pay to fix/replace the dress. and it should not be you. If not your sister than definitely your parents should be covering the cost or splitting it with emma.
    via IvyWhisperss
  • 19

    We've all learned this lesson one way or another.

    If she had done that in the shop, she would have had to pay. She doesn't get to destroy your possessions and just shrug her shoulders, if she can't pay, it should fall on her/your parents. NTA.
    via IvyWhisperss

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