After You Have Found Your Perfect Dress at ASK Dress Boutique

dress care tips blogYour formal dress is an investment and should be treated as such!  Below you will find some helpful dress care tips for your new dress.  Many formal and semi-formal dresses are designed with delicate fabrics or have intricate beading, appliqué, or embroidery details.  Proper care for your dress is so important.  Here are a few tips on how to make sure that your dress looks perfect for your special events.

Proper Storage of Your Dress

dress care and storageIt is always a good idea to keep your dress covered in the garment bag that our staff at ASK Dress Boutique provides with the purchase your dress.  This can help prevent the dress from getting snagged on other clothing items in your closet, prevent pets from coming into contact with the fabric or beading, and help keep your dress clean until your special day!  Store your dress in a cool, dark place, such as a closet that is free from natural or artificial light.  This can help prevent any potential fading of the fabric.

Getting the Wrinkles Out

Every dress purchased from ASK is steamed before it goes out on our sales floor.  However, dresses may get some wrinkles from being stored in the plastic garment bag that is used to take your dress home and store it.  The majority of formal and semi-formal dresses sold at ASK Dress Boutique can not be ironed!  ALWAYS read the care instructions on the tags located inside of each dress for cleaning or care – or just call us if you’re not sure!

Usually the best way to remove any wrinkles from storage is with a hand held or an industrial steamer.  If you do not have one of these at home, your local dry cleaner will usually offer a steaming service.  Sometimes hanging your dress in the bathroom while a hot shower is running will get minor wrinkles out from the steam.

While You Are Wearing Your Dress

Many of the formal and semi-formal dresses are made from delicate fabrics that are more susceptible to easily snagging while you are wearing them.  Often times an accident can not be avoidable – but being aware of  this as a possibility can help minimize any damage.  Be careful of wearing jewelry with metal prongs or tines.  For example, a bracelet or ring with prongs that hold rhinestones or gemstones in place can easily snag the skirt of your dress if it made with a delicate fabric like chiffon or lace.  Stay clear of door handles or protruding things that can catch the fabric of your dress.

Dresses that have a lot of beading are prone to a bit of damage while wearing it.  The beading is often attached to a layer of delicate tulle fabric by a single thread.  Any excessive amount of pulling or wear can cause the beading to become loose or fall off.  This is not a flaw in your garment – it is just the nature of formal wear with beading or sequins.  Try to avoid any unnecessary tugging or pulling on a beaded or sequin garment to minimize stress to your dress.

To avoid staining your dress, apply any hairspray, makeup, deodorant and or moisturizers well before putting on your dress to ensure that they have dried. If you happen to spill something on your dress while out, simply blot the area dry with a clean, white cloth and then let it be.  Never scrub or rub because you could damage the garment’s delicate fibers.  Contact a professional dry cleaner as soon as possible and ask how best to clean the stain.  “How to get 12 Types Out of Your Dress” by Jovani has some great tips on how to care for a dress stain when you are in a pinch.

Be Prepared

It is always a good idea to be prepared for any mishaps with your dress at your special event.  Bring a small “emergency” repair kit with you in your clutch.  This will make it easy for you to do any repairs to your dress or your friends’ gowns if necessary.  Below are a few ideas on what to put in your repair kit!

  • Liquid Stitch Glue  –  This is a permanent adhesive that is an alternative to sewing.  However, be very careful while applying so the glue does not get on unnecessary areas of your dress!  A tiny bit goes a long way!
  • Sewing Supplies – Bring some thread that is the same color as your prom dress, a sewing needle, a few safety pins, and a pair of small foldable scissors.  This can come in handy for a broken strap, a small tear, or to repair any loose beading or appliqué.
  • Toupee Tape – While toupee tape may sound unusual to use for your dress, it is easy to find and it is a strong double sided tape that will help with loose seams, ripped tulle, or a tear in your dress.  It also works great to help hold a neckline from gapping open and to hold a dress in place on your skin!
  • Wax Paper – Bring a small piece of wax paper in your kit to help with a stuck zipper.  Zippers on formal dresses are usually hidden thin zippers that can easily get stuck at a seam or waistband.  Simply rub the wax paper over the teeth of the zipper track and wiggle the zipper a bit to get it free and it should zip perfectly!

For tips on specific dress repairs check out this article on DIY Prom Dress Repairs by Kate Miller-Wilson.

HAVE FUN!  You can not predict every blunder or dress mishap that will occur no matter how prepared you are!  Sometimes those mishaps become funny memories.  Do not let a little rip or stain ruin your special event!  No matter what happens – stay positive, try your best to repair your dress if something happens, and then get back to having fun and making memories that will last a lifetime. After-all, that is really what it is all about!

Contact us with Any Questions

Our staff at ASK Dress Boutique will help you in any way that we can.  Please contact us with any questions you have on proper care, maintenance or repairs on your dress from ASK.  We want you to enjoy your Perfect Dress for as long as possible!