Vintage dresses are an excellent alternative to mass-produced, high street brands, allowing you to really stand out from the crowd. You can own pieces which are unique, flattering and most of all fashionable, and the advantages don’t stop there! Most of the time, because of their “used” label, vintage dresses are often cheaper than new apparel and can be a great way to make your pounds go that little bit further.
However, there can be some challenges when it comes to caring for dresses. Often, the fabric is more fragile and can rip, stain or wear easily. There is also the concern of being able to wear your favourite vintage pieces without fear of decreasing their value or condition. That said, there are some easy steps you can take to ensure the longevity and durability of your most loved vintage dresses.
For example, when it’s time to wash your most worn vintage dresses, consider only using dry cleaner services. Dry cleaning is a more gentle way to wash clothing and is the preferred option when it comes to vintage dresses. Ask around town for a referral; even though dry cleaning is generally a safe option you will still want an idea of the quality of services provided.
Another great way to ensure that your vintage dresses last another life time is to use garment bags. It is quite common for damage to be done while the clothes are just hanging in your closet. Fabrics get snagged on the zippers or tags of other clothes. Vintage pieces can slip from their hangers and get stained while bundled up with other clothes. Gowns can be shuffled into losing their shape. By investing in plastic or cloth garment bags you can keep your vintage pieces separate from your everyday wardrobe and avoid any potential damage.
And finally, one of the easiest but most important points to consider when caring for vintage couture; avoid contact with harmful sprays, cleansers and alcohols. When getting ready for your big night on the town, spray your hair and perfume before getting dressed into your vintage stunner! Alcohol and chemicals in beauty products can weaken fabric and leave stains and the damage done is very often irreversible.
If you enjoy vintage dresses bear in mind the points mentioned above. By taking a little time, investing a small amount of money and avoiding certain behaviour, you can easily lengthen the life of your vintage wardrobe.
