Sisterhood of the travelling frock

Kiwi Lisa Borsos (left) bought the much-travelled wedding dress from American-born Dani Lebo. Photo / Supplied

A wedding dress has survived multiple alterations, confiscation by customs and bridal superstition to be worn in five weddings across the world.

The Nicole Miller dress has swept down the aisle in four American states before crossing the Pacific for further nuptials in Auckland.

In the three years since it was first purchased, it has been cut up and rearranged at least three times, been lost in the post twice, and fluctuated in price between $1000 and $2500.

The dress' fifth owner, hairstylist Lisa Borsos, was married at Piha Beach in February.

"It was one of the first dresses I saw when I started googling for one. The moment I saw it I thought: 'That's the dress I want.' So I had to hunt it down."

She was not put off by the numerous owners and the ominous omen of a regularly discarded wedding gown.

"I thought that was the good thing about it ... that all these other women had had the best day of their life in it - I almost liked it more for that reason."

Mrs Borsos was amazed to find the US-advertised dress was owned by another bride just hours away. "It shows how small the world is."

Previous owner Dani Lebo, New Jersey-born but living in Wanganui, had also liked the idea of a pre-worn dress. Her husband, Nelson Lebo, said: "The whole idea was to have an eco-thrifty wedding, and the second-hand dress was just one of many aspects."

The dress' path to New Zealand was not smooth, as it was held up at Auckland Airport by customs officials.

Mr Lebo said: "She had to cry down the phone for them to release it, which they did, immediately."

Mrs Lebo took the dress back to the United States for her wedding.

But the frock's travels may be over - Mrs Borsos says she has no plans yet to sell it on. "I used to dress up in my mum's wedding dress, so I think we're going to keep our hands on it."