The average wedding costs $33,391. Most of the money goes to purchasing a dress that is only worn once and then put away in storage for years. It’s hard to justify spending so much when you know it will just sit in your closet after the big day. If you’ve spent a lot of money on a fancy dress, whether it be a wedding gown, a prom dress, or another special occasion dress, you’ll want to keep it in pristine condition so that it can be worn again. Here are some tips on maintaining a fancy dress or gown and keeping it in tip-top condition.
Maintenance Depends on the Fabric or Cloth Used
The first thing you need to do is determine what fabric or cloth the dress is made out of. Different fabrics require different kinds of maintenance.
- Natural Fiber
If the dress is made out of natural fiber, such as cotton, linen, silk, or wool, you should hand wash it in cool water with a mild detergent and lay it out to dry.
- Synthetic Fiber
If the dress is made from synthetic fiber, such as polyester or nylon, you should wash it in cold water with mild detergent and either hang-dry it or lay it flat on a towel. Do not place your gown in an electric dryer because this can cause damage due to the heat.
- Lace
Lace is a delicate fabric that should be hand washed and laid flat to dry. Do not place your lace dress in the washer or dryer because this can cause damage due to the agitator, high heat from the dryer, and fraying from being handled too much.
- Satin
Satin is a fabric that should be washed by hand, either with cold or warm water. Use a mild detergent, and be sure to rinse the dress well. Hang it to dry or place it on a flat surface.
- Taffeta
If you bought a taffeta ball gown for the prom and want to wear it again someday, make sure not to dry-clean it too often because taffeta can lose its shape easily. Instead, have it dry-cleaned only when necessary.
Treat Spills Immediately
No matter what kind of fabric your dress is made out of, you should treat any spills immediately. If red wine gets spilled on your white gown, for example, you’ll want to get the spot out as soon as possible. Use a mild detergent and cold water to get rid of the stain, then lay it flat on a towel or hang-dry it until all traces are gone.
Treat Scuffs Immediately
If your dress gets scuffed, you should treat the scuff immediately to prevent it from getting worse. Dab some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and rub it gently onto the fabric until all the dirt comes out. For more stubborn stains like makeup or greasy fingerprints, you can try using a toothbrush to scrub at the stain until it’s gone.
Wash by Hand
Don’t just throw your dress into the washing machine because this can stretch out the fabric. Treat it like you would any other piece of clothing and wash it only when necessary, using a mild detergent and cold water to get rid of stains or dirt. Be sure not to twist or wring the gown while rinsing it and lay it flat to dry.
If you want your dress to last a lifetime, then treat it with care so that you can wear it again on another special occasion. Be sure to follow the fabric guidelines for proper cleaning and maintenance of your gown, depending on what kind of material is used in its construction. This way, you’ll be able to keep it in pristine condition for years to come.
Store Properly
When you’re not wearing your dress, be sure to store it in a dry place where it won’t get wrinkled or stained. Try folding it up and placing it in a garment bag or wrap it in acid-free tissue paper before placing it in its storage box.
Just like you put effort into finding the perfect dress, make sure to place that same amount of care and consideration into caring for your fancy dress so that you can enjoy wearing it again soon.
Why Bother and Go Through All the Trouble?
There’s no denying that it’s a lot of work to take care of your gown and keep it in pristine condition, but there are several good reasons why you should bother.
One reason is that you spent a lot of money on the dress and you want to get your money’s worth. Secondly, sustainable fashion is becoming more and more popular, so it’s important to take care of your gown (and other clothes) to enjoy using it for many years. This means that you’ll be less likely to buy new clothes, giving you less contribution to the over-consumption of clothing in today’s society.
Finally, if you take care of your gown and keep it in good condition, you’ll be able to wear it again on another special occasion. So the next time you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the work that goes into taking care of your dress, just remember why you’re doing it – for the love of fashion and the environment. It’s easier on your wallet too.
Looking for the Perfect Dress
Ombreprom.co.uk offers a wide range of bridesmaids dresses and gowns, with over 60+ color selections making it the go-to online store for those who are very particular with their color choices. Cicinia is the perfect online store for unique, one-of-a-kind dresses with exclusive dress and gown colors available elsewhere.
Not only does Ombreprom have a wide range of colors to choose from, but their collection also includes different styles such as A-line, ballgowns, sheath, and more. You’ll be sure to find the perfect dress, with the ideal color of your choice, for your body type.