Whether you’re a bride-to-be who’s just collected your wedding dress from the shop or already celebrated your big day, storing such a precious item of clothing can be daunting when you don’t know how. Here are my top tips for keeping your bridal gown looking its best.
1. If the dress has already been worn, it’s really important to have it cleaned as soon as possible. This will prevent any stains from becoming more difficult to remove or damaging the fabric. And it's still worth doing even if the dress looks clean because perspiration stains can show up later and cause the fabric to become brittle and very delicate.
It is also worth asking a bridal seamstress to repair any damage so the dress is in tip-top condition.
2. Ask your bridal shop or seamstress how they would store the dress before the wedding. Some stretchy or beaded fabrics are best stored flat, but generally, it’s best to hang your gown before the wedding to stop it from becoming too creased. In the long term, all bridal gowns are best stored flat to protect the seams from becoming weak and to stop the shape of the gown from becoming distorted.
3. Always, always, always use the hanging loops and invest in a good-quality hanger. Never hang a wedding dress from the shoulders because the fabric can stretch and become misshapen. A heavy gown is best hung on a strong plastic hanger, which can hold the weight and keep the hanging loops in place. A delicate or lightweight dress is best hung on a padded hanger to protect the fabric and any embellishment.
I was once called by a panicked bride two days before the wedding. She had discovered that the hanging loops had fallen off the hanger, so her dress had been hanging by its lace shoulders. When she tried the dress on, she found the lace straps had stretched and no longer fitted.
4. Stuff tissue paper into the bodice and sleeves of a wedding gown to help keep the shape. Ensure the tissue paper is acid-free so the fabric doesn’t become discoloured. The dye from black or coloured tissue paper can also transfer onto fabric, so only use white.
5. Use a bag of the correct size to prevent the dress from creasing, as these will become more difficult to remove over time. It’s okay for the train to be rolled into the bottom of the bag, but the front of the dress should hang flat. Gowns with large, full skirts usually need a dress bag with a gusset in the bottom so the layers of fabric don’t get crushed.
6. When opening and closing the zip of the dress bag, always put your finger behind the zipper so that the dress doesn’t get caught in it. You don’t want to cause any damage to delicate fabric by having to remove it from the zip.
7. When packing a bridal gown into a box, first line the box with acid-free tissue paper to prevent discolouration. Lay the hem in first and fold the rest of the dress on top (accordion-style) with tissue paper between each fold. If the box is cardboard, make sure it is also acid-free because the acid can transfer to the tissue paper and discolour the dress.
8. Never store a wedding dress in plastic because it will trap any moisture in the air which could cause bad odour and mould. Use a breathable box or bag which will protect the fabric from dust and dirt.
I once had to cut the train off a very expensive designer gown because it had been stored in a plastic bag, which caused black mould to grow on it. The bride was obviously devastated!
9. Never store your bridal gown in the attic, garage, or damp room, and always keep it away from direct sunlight. Wedding dresses should ideally be stored in a dark and dry place to avoid discolouration and damage to the fabric.
I’ve seen gowns displayed in a shop window develop a yellowy tint or fade. I’ve also worked on a wedding dress that had been stored in a loft. The ‘fusty’ smell that had developed could not be removed, which resulted in the bride buying a new dress.
10. Check your wedding dress every few months to make sure it’s okay. You may want to repack it occasionally to prevent any creases from becoming permanent or damaging the fabric.
An experienced bridal seamstress should always be able to advise you if you're unsure about anything regarding your wedding dress. We spend so much time working on them, and we know how precious they are!
Laura
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