Deborah Chan
Wedding dresses are often made from delicate fabrics and may feature intricate details such as beading, sequins, and embellishments, so it's important to fold and store them correctly to prevent damage and discolouration. Whether you're preparing your dress for travel or long-term storage, there are several steps you can take to ensure its safety, including choosing the right storage container, folding the dress correctly, and creating the ideal storage environment.
How to fold a wedding dress for storage:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prepare the dress | Have the dress professionally laundered to remove any stains. If you are storing the dress pre-wedding, ensure it is removed from any plastic wrapping. |
| Prepare the box | Measure the dress to determine the box size. Line the box with unbuffered tissue paper, leaving some hanging over the edges. |
| Folding technique | Place the dress face down in the box, with the skirt centred and the bodice face-down over the edge. Fold the train under the skirt and pad the inside of the skirt with tissue paper. |
| Sleeves | Roll tissue paper and slide into the sleeves. Fold the bodice over the skirt and arrange the sleeves next to the dress, adding tissue paper for protection. |
| Final steps | Pad the bodice with crinkled tissue paper to maintain its shape. Place another layer of tissue over the top and close the box. Label the box and store in a cool, dry place. |
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What You'll Learn
Choose the right box
Choosing the right box is essential for preserving your wedding dress. The box should be made from archival-quality materials that are acid-free and lignin-free to prevent the fabric from deteriorating, discolouring, or staining. Acidic materials can cause fabric scorching and staining over the years. Lignin is an organic substance found in wood pulp that can damage the material of your gown.
You should measure your wedding dress and choose a box that comfortably accommodates its dimensions. The box should be slightly larger than the dress to prevent compression and allow the dress to breathe. The wedding dress storage boxes come in various sizes to fit any style of gown, and their proper sizing helps to avoid fabric pleating and folds.
The box should be stackable to efficiently utilise vertical space and have a modular construction for easy inspection and repacking. It should also be sealed to keep out light, dust, and moisture, with a snug-fitting lid.
Additionally, consider using acid-free tissue paper or muslin cloth to wrap the dress and place it in the folds to prevent creases and retain the shape. You can also look for specialised storage options like UV-blocking materials or covers to further protect your dress.
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Prepare the dress
Preparing a wedding dress for storage requires careful attention to detail. Here are the steps you need to take to ensure your dress is ready for storage:
Firstly, it is crucial to have your wedding dress professionally laundered soon after wearing it. Not all stains are visible, but they can discolour over time, and the longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Ask for recommendations for a dry cleaner and read reviews to ensure they are reputable. Before dropping off your dress, go over it with the dry cleaner to note any stains, and request fresh or filtered solvent.
Next, you'll want to prepare the dress for folding. If your dress has a train, fold it under the skirt. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling the dress, and remove any rings, watches, or bracelets to avoid catching on the fabric. If your dress has embellishments, you may want to wrap tissue paper around it, securing the ends with tape to avoid snagging.
Now, you are ready to begin folding. Place the dress on a large, clean surface, and fold it in half at the waist, with the bodice on top. Gently fold the bodice over the skirt. If your dress has sleeves, roll some tissue and slide it into each sleeve, then arrange the sleeves next to the dress. Using crinkled tissue, pad the bodice to maintain its shape, and add another layer of tissue over it.
Finally, measure the width, length, and height of the folded dress to determine the best box size. Before purchasing a box, it is important to note that cardboard contains acids that can age materials, so opt for a higher-quality, acid-free, and inert storage box. Line the box with unbuffered tissue paper, leaving some hanging over the edges. Place the dress in the box, facing down, with the bodice face-down over the edge. Pad the inside of the skirt with tissue for support, and place tissue between any tulle layers. If your dress has a train, follow the same steps, but add an extra folding step: pad the train, then fold the skirt over it.
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Folding techniques
The best way to fold a wedding dress depends on whether you are preparing it for storage or travel.
Folding for storage
Before folding your wedding dress for storage, it is important to have it professionally laundered as soon as possible after wearing it. Not all stains are visible, but they can turn brown or yellow over time.
When you are ready to store your dress, find a large, clean surface and fold the dress in half at the waist, with the bodice on top. If your dress has a train, fold the train under the skirt before measuring. Line the bottom of your storage box with tissue paper and lay the dress in the box face down, with the skirt centred and the bodice face-down over the edge of the box. Pad the inside of the skirt with tissue paper to provide support and place tissue between each layer if the skirt has tulle layers. You may need to fold the edges of the skirt in on itself and use tissue paper to prevent snags caused by beads, pearls or sequins. If your dress has sleeves, roll tissue paper and gently slide it into each sleeve before placing the dress in the box.
Folding for travel
If you are packing your wedding dress for travel, it is best to use a sturdy garment bag. Place the dress in the bag so that the train trails out at the bottom. Then, gather the bottom sides of the dress and fold each of them in towards the centre. Grasp the bottom edge of the train and roll it towards the centre of the dress so that it can be placed completely inside the bag. Fold the train gently to avoid creases. If your dress is very full, you may need a friend to help hold the garment bag open.
General tips
Whether you are storing or travelling with your wedding dress, it is important to keep it in a stable environment with consistent temperature and humidity. Attics and basements are not ideal for storage as the air may be damp and musty, and the temperature and humidity may fluctuate. It is also important to avoid cardboard boxes, as these can contain acids that age materials very quickly.
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Tissue paper and padding
When storing a wedding dress, it is important to use tissue paper and padding to protect the shape of the dress and prevent creases. Firstly, measure the width, length, and height of the dress while folded to determine the size of the box you will need. Line the bottom of the box with unbuffered tissue paper, allowing it to hang slightly over the edges. If your dress has sleeves, roll some tissue paper and gently slide it into each sleeve.
Next, you will need to place the dress in the box. Lay the dress in the box facing down, with the skirt centred and the bodice face-down over the edge of the box. Gently fold the bodice over the skirt and arrange the sleeves next to the dress, adding tissue paper to the folds if they are close to the bodice. Use tissue paper to pad the inside of the skirt to provide support and maintain its shape. If the skirt has tulle layers, place tissue between each layer to prevent snagging caused by beads, pearls, or sequins.
Finally, add another layer of tissue paper over the top of the bodice and gently press down on the dress to expel any trapped air. Close the box and store it in a cool, dry place, avoiding attics, basements, or garages, as these areas can be damp and musty, which can damage the dress over time.
It is recommended to have your wedding dress professionally laundered soon after wearing it to remove any stains and to prevent discolouration.
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Storage location
The ideal storage location for your wedding dress should be somewhere that maintains a consistent temperature and humidity, avoiding extreme fluctuations. Spare bedrooms or closets are often good options, as they generally provide a stable environment.
It is important to steer clear of attics, basements, and garages. These areas are prone to changes in temperature and humidity, which can damage the dress. Additionally, these spaces may be home to pests or critters that could harm the dress.
Another crucial factor is keeping the dress out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause discolouration and fading over time, so it is best to choose a storage location with minimal natural light exposure.
If you opt for a storage box, it is recommended to use an acid-free and inert box, as cardboard contains acids that can accelerate the ageing of the fabric.
Lastly, once you've chosen the perfect storage location, resist the temptation to frequently try on or remove the dress from its storage. Each time the dress is handled, the chances of staining and oil marks increase.
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Frequently asked questions
First, have your dress professionally laundered to remove any invisible stains. Then, measure the dress to determine the size of the box you'll need. If your dress has a train, fold it under the skirt before measuring.
Cardboard boxes contain acids that can age materials, so opt for a higher-quality storage box. Choose an acid-free and inert box to store your dress.
Line the bottom of the box with tissue paper, leaving some hanging over the edges. Place the dress in the box face down with the skirt centred. Fold the bodice face down over the edge of the box. Pad the inside of the skirt with tissue paper to provide support, and place tissue paper between any tulle layers. If your dress has sleeves, roll tissue paper and slide it into the sleeves.
Store your wedding dress in a spare room or bedroom where the temperature and humidity will not fluctuate and the dress can remain out of direct sunlight. Basements and attics are not ideal storage locations as the air may be damp and musty.
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