Franklin Dean
Wedding dresses are often heavy, and knowing how to hang them properly is essential to prevent damage and unsightly wrinkles. The way you hang your wedding dress can make a huge difference in how it looks on your big day. This is a comprehensive guide on how to hang a heavy wedding dress, including tips on preparing your dress for storage and transportation.
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What You'll Learn
Use the inner straps to hang the dress
Wedding dresses are heavy, and the weight of the gown is carried by the straps. If you hang the dress from its straps, they will stretch out of shape. The same is true of sleeves. Therefore, you should always hang a wedding dress from its inner straps.
Strapless gowns will have inner straps to hang the dress from. Dresses with straps are hung from the inner strap, too. If your dress has sleeves or straps, you likely had them adjusted to best fit your body during alterations. If you don't use the inner straps to hang your wedding dress, you will undo all the work you had done during alterations, and your straps or sleeves may not fit you properly on your wedding day.
If your dress has the inner straps connected at the waistline, be cautious if your dress has boning. Boning is a plastic-like material put into dress bodices to help manipulate the structure of the gown. If the hanging straps are attached at the waist, and your dress has boning, ask your seamstress to tack the straps to the armpit area during alterations. This will allow the weight of the dress to be distributed from the top down, and you won't have to worry about your boning and bodice getting misshapen.
If your dress is transparent on top, or the inner strap is a darker colour or has writing on it, you may want to cut the inner straps off for your wedding day. If you do cut off the inner straps, make sure to save them so that you can hang the dress back up after the wedding. You can pin the inner straps back to the armpit area on the side seams of your gown with strong safety pins.
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Avoid hanging from the outer straps
Wedding dresses are heavy, and the outer straps are usually adjusted to fit the wearer's body perfectly during alterations. If you hang a wedding dress from its outer straps, you risk undoing all the work done during alterations, and the outer straps may stretch out of shape. This is especially true for gowns with sleeves, as the weight of the dress will pull down on the sleeves, causing them to stretch.
Additionally, some wedding dresses have boning in the bodice. If the hanging strap is attached at the waist instead of the armpit, the weight of the dress can pull the boning down, causing it to curve inwards and misshape the bodice. To avoid this, you can ask your seamstress to tack the straps to the armpit area during alterations. This will distribute the weight of the dress from the top down and prevent any misshaping.
If your wedding dress has illusion necklines or delicate fabric, hanging it from the outer straps can also damage the fabric. Illusion necklines are made of very delicate tulle that gives the appearance of skin. The weight of the dress can put too much strain on this delicate fabric, causing it to stretch or tear. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid hanging such gowns from their outer straps.
To properly hang a wedding dress, always use the inner straps. Strapless gowns typically have inner straps attached to the bodice area, usually under the arms. For gowns with straps, the inner straps are also used for hanging. If your dress has a train, you can use the loop at the bottom of the train to hang it, preventing the train from bunching up during storage. Remember to distribute the weight evenly to avoid any misshaping.
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Store flat if the wedding is months away
Wedding dresses are typically heavier than normal clothing, so hanging them can cause the sleeves or straps to stretch. If you have months until your wedding, it's best to store your dress flat, inside a breathable fabric garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet. This will help to keep your dress wrinkle-free and damage-free.
If your dress has a train, most designers include a loop at the bottom that can be used for storing your dress properly. The loop should go over the hanger, so your dress hangs without the train bunching up. However, if your dress will be stored for several months, it's best to avoid hanging it altogether, as this can lead to stretching the fabric over time.
When storing your dress, choose a room or space that isn't a "high-traffic area," such as the top shelf of a spare closet. Avoid placing your dress near heat sources or in an area accessible to pets, as this could lead to preventable damage.
Additionally, be sure to remove your dress from any plastic packaging, as plastic does not allow fabrics to breathe and can cause staining over time. Instead, opt for a fabric garment bag or an acid-free storage box. These storage options will help to keep your dress looking brand new and prevent it from turning yellow.
Proper storage is key to ensuring your dress remains in pristine condition, both before and after your wedding day. By laying your dress flat and taking the necessary precautions, you can help to preserve its integrity for the big day and for future generations.
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Use a breathable garment bag
A wedding dress is a delicate and heavy piece of clothing, and its storage can affect its appearance. It is crucial to use a breathable garment bag to protect the dress from damage.
Breathable garment bags are made from fabrics like muslin or cotton, which prevent moisture buildup and the growth of mildew. Plastic bags, on the other hand, can trap moisture and cause mould and mildew issues. They can also emit chemicals that lead to yellowing and discolouration.
When choosing a breathable garment bag, opt for a high-quality, acid-free option that will protect your dress from dust and dirt. It should be large enough to accommodate the entire dress, with considerations for fuller dresses requiring a wider gusset. The bag should be made of lightweight, natural textiles like organic cotton to allow the dress to breathe and not add extra weight during travel.
To pack your wedding dress into the garment bag, start by inserting the hanger with the dress through the slit at the top of the bag. Hang the gown against a wall, with the bag attached, and then carefully fold and roll the dress into the bag. Place your index finger behind the zipper as you close it to prevent snags and ripping.
Using a breathable garment bag will help ensure your wedding dress remains pristine and wrinkle-free until your special day.
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Hang somewhere high to remove wrinkles
Hanging a heavy wedding dress somewhere high is a great way to remove wrinkles, especially if you don't have access to a steamer or iron. This method is also useful if you are travelling and don't have access to your usual appliances.
To do this, find a high spot in your bathroom, such as a shower hook or an area on the shower rod, ensuring that the dress won't get wet. The higher you can hang the dress, the better. Then, turn on the shower to a high heat setting and let the hot steam work its magic. Make sure the bathroom door is closed to contain the steam. After 20-30 minutes, the steam will have removed the wrinkles from your dress.
This method is particularly effective for chiffon wedding dresses, but it may not work for all fabrics. For example, it may not be suitable for removing stubborn wrinkles from a shirt collar or a piece of cotton clothing. It is also important to note that certain types of chiffon are more prone to wrinkling than others, with thicker fabrics being harder to keep crease-free.
If you are nervous about using steam on your wedding dress, you can test it on the inner lining or another inconspicuous area first. If the steam removes wrinkles without damaging the fabric, you can proceed with confidence.
Remember, the best way to deal with wrinkles is to try and prevent them from happening in the first place. So, be sure to store your wedding dress correctly after steaming to avoid any last-minute surprises!
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to store your wedding dress flat, inside a breathable garment bag or wrapped in a cotton sheet, in a room or space that isn’t a “high traffic area” in your house, such as on the top shelf of a spare closet.
Always hang a heavy wedding dress from the inner straps. If your dress does not have inner straps, you can ask your seamstress to add some. If your dress has a train, use the loop at the bottom of the train to hang it from, which will help distribute the weight.
Consider the weight of your dress. If it has heavy beading or multiple layers of fabric, it is best to store it flat. Additionally, if your wedding is months away, it is recommended to store it flat to avoid discoloration and stretching.
You can use clear nylon thread or fishing line to hang the dress from above, such as from woodwork over a doorway. You can also use tissue paper to fill out the bust. Alternatively, add a small loop on the inside of the front of the dress and another hanger strap in the middle of the back, so you can use a hanger to hold the front up.
