Rhiannon Hendricks
Hanging a wedding dress correctly is crucial to preserving its shape and preventing damage before the big day. Wedding dresses are heavy, so hanging them incorrectly can strain and stretch the fabric and sleeves or straps. The best way to hang a wedding dress is by using the inner straps, which are designed to bear the weight of the dress. If the dress has boning, it's important to distribute the weight evenly to preserve its shape. To prevent wrinkles, it's recommended to hang the dress somewhere high a few days before the wedding and steam it if needed. While hanging wedding dresses on a hanger inside a garment bag is common, experts suggest laying the dress flat to reduce strain on the fabric.
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What You'll Learn
Using the inner straps to hang your dress
Wedding dresses are heavy and bulky, and hanging them incorrectly can cause damage to the fabric and the shape of the dress. It is best to avoid hanging your wedding dress from the straps over your shoulders, as this can stretch them out. If your dress has sleeves, hanging it by the sleeves can also cause damage.
The best way to hang your wedding dress is by using the inner straps. These are attached to the bodice, closer to your waist than the top of the dress. Using these inner straps will ensure that the weight of the dress is distributed evenly. If your dress has boning, ask your seamstress to tack the straps to the armpit area. This will prevent the weight of the dress from pulling on the waistline and misshaping the boning and bodice.
If you have cut off the inner straps, you can still use them to hang your dress. Simply pin them back to the armpit area on the side seams with strong safety pins. If you have lost the inner straps, do not try to hang the dress. Instead, store it flat in a garment bag.
If your dress has a train, use the loop at the bottom to hang the dress. This will prevent the weight of the dress from pulling on the inner straps and causing the train to bunch up. However, you may need to cut off the loop on your wedding day if it is visible through the fabric of the train.
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How to hang a dress with boning
Hanging a wedding dress with boning requires extra care to ensure that the integrity and shape of the boning are not altered. Boning is a piece of hard plastic that helps the bridal garment hold its shape. Here are some detailed steps to properly hang a wedding dress with boning:
Firstly, it is important to note that you should not hang your wedding dress from the straps or sleeves, as this can cause them to stretch out or become damaged. Instead, use the inner straps attached to the bodice, closer to the waist, to hang the dress. This ensures that the weight of the dress is evenly distributed. If your dress has a train, use the loop at the bottom of the train to hang it over the hanger, preventing the weight from pulling down on the inner straps alone and causing bunching.
Secondly, if your dress has boning and the hanging straps are attached at the waist, ask your seamstress to tack the straps to the armpit area. This will prevent the weight of the dress from pulling solely from the waistline, which can cause the boning to curve inwards and become misshapen.
Lastly, consider the weight of your dress. Heavy dresses with multiple layers of fabric are best stored flat inside a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet. Place it in a safe, climate-controlled area, away from heat sources and pets, to prevent damage.
By following these steps, you can properly hang your wedding dress with boning, ensuring it maintains its shape and integrity until your big day.
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What to do if your dress has sleeves or straps
If your wedding dress has sleeves or straps, it's important to hang it correctly to avoid stretching and damage. Here are some tips to ensure your dress is hung properly:
Firstly, avoid hanging your dress from its sleeves or straps. Wedding dresses are typically heavy, and hanging them by the sleeves or straps can cause them to stretch or become damaged. Instead, always use the inner straps attached to the bodice area or underarm area of the dress. Using these inner straps will ensure that the weight of the dress is distributed evenly and help maintain the shape of the dress and sleeves or straps.
In some cases, the inner straps may be located at the waistline, which can cause the boning of the dress to curve inwards. To prevent this, you can tack the inner straps at the armpit seam, allowing the weight of the dress to be distributed from the top down and preventing any misshapen issues. If your dress has a train, you can also utilise the loop at the bottom of the train to help distribute the weight while hanging.
If you plan to cut the inner straps for your wedding day, perhaps due to transparency or colour showing through, be sure to save them. You can then pin the straps back to the armpit area or side seams of your gown using strong safety pins for hanging after the wedding. Additionally, be cautious when hanging dresses with illusion necklines or delicate fabrics. Avoid putting weight on these fabrics to prevent stretching or damage.
Lastly, be mindful of the hanger you use. Ensure it is sturdy enough to support the weight of the dress and consider using a hanger with additional straps that can slide through loops or the side seams of your dress for added support.
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How to get rid of wrinkles
Wedding dresses can be made from a variety of fabrics, and different materials require different treatments to get rid of wrinkles. Before attempting to remove wrinkles, always check the care instructions for your dress and understand the specific needs of the fabric. Some fabrics can be lightly steamed, while others require more delicate handling.
If your wedding dress is made from natural materials like silk, taffeta, or pleated fabric, you should not use a steamer as it may damage the fabric. Instead, use an iron on a silk setting. Before ironing, make sure the iron is set to a low temperature and is clean and smooth. Press the iron on the backside of the fabric in a sweeping motion, and remember not to leave the iron in one place for too long.
If your dress is made of synthetic fabric or a blend of synthetic materials, such as polyester or chiffon, steaming is an effective way to remove wrinkles. Hang the dress on a clean, fabric hanger, and turn on the shower to hot. Avoid hanging the gown on the shower rod, as it may get wet. Leave the hot water running for 20-30 minutes to create a steam effect that will help remove wrinkles. You can also use a handheld garment steamer to gently steam the fabric, holding the nozzle a few inches away from the dress.
If you are looking for a more gentle approach, simply hanging the dress in a closet or well-ventilated area can help to remove wrinkles, especially if you have several days before the wedding. This method may not remove all wrinkles, but it can help to soften them.
Additionally, professional services are available to ensure your gown is perfectly cared for. Dry cleaning specialists know how to get creases out of wedding dresses, and they can provide guidance on how to touch up your dress before the ceremony.
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Whether to hang or lay your dress flat
Wedding dresses are often heavy, bulky, and made of multiple layers of fabric. Therefore, it is important to consider whether to hang or lay your dress flat to ensure it maintains its shape and does not get damaged.
If your dress has straps or sleeves, hanging it by these parts can cause them to stretch out or become damaged. It is recommended to use the inner straps to hang the dress instead. These straps are usually attached to the bodice, closer to the waist, and help distribute the weight of the dress evenly. However, if your dress has a delicate illusion neckline, be cautious not to put weight on the fabric as it can be easily damaged. Additionally, if your dress has boning, ask your seamstress to tack the straps to the armpit area to prevent the bodice from misshaping.
For dresses with long trains, bridal designers often include a loop at the bottom of the train to help with hanging. This loop should be draped over the hanger to prevent the train from bunching up inside the garment bag. However, some dresses may not have these loops or inner straps, in which case, it is best to lay the dress flat.
When storing your dress, avoid hanging it for long periods as this can stretch the fabric over time. Choose a breathable garment bag or wrap it in a cotton sheet, and place it in a cool, dry space away from heat sources and pets. If your dress is made of light fabric like satin or silk, hanging it carefully in a safe place is recommended.
A few days before your wedding, carefully remove the dress from storage and hang it somewhere high to let wrinkles and creases drop out. If wrinkles persist, hang the dress in the bathroom while running a hot shower, being cautious to keep it away from the water.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to hang your wedding dress using the inner straps, as hanging it by the sleeves or straps can cause stretching and damage. If your dress has boning, ask your seamstress to tack the straps to the armpit area to distribute the weight evenly and prevent misshapening.
The loop at the bottom of the train is intended to go over the hanger to prevent the train from bunching up while hanging. However, you may need to cut the loop off on the wedding day if it is visible through the fabric.
While hanging your wedding dress in a garment bag is a common choice, it is generally better to store it flat if possible. Hanging can strain the straps and fabric over time due to the weight of the dress. Lay the dress flat on a clean sheet in a spare room, wrapping the sheet ends over the dress to protect it from dust and light.
A few days before the wedding, hang the dress somewhere high to allow wrinkles and creases to drop out. If wrinkles persist, hang the dress in the bathroom while running a hot shower, being careful not to get it wet. Alternatively, use a portable steamer or ask a local seamstress or dry cleaner for help.
After the wedding, have your dress cleaned as soon as possible to prevent stains from setting in. Then, store it flat in a proper container, such as a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet, in a cool, dry, and dust-free location away from heat sources and pets.
