Thread: Storing and Organizing Costumes

Originally Posted by laura 2

I hang the bedlahs and skirts with these types of hangers Bed Bath & Beyond - Blonde Suit Hangers With Clips (Set Of 5). I know some people don't like to hang lycra beaded skirts because of stretching, but I've never noticed a problem with mine. If a costume has accessories like armbands or headbands, they go in a ziplock sandwich bag which gets clipped to the hanger.

ditto. I use the same kind of hangers and I've never had an issue with hanging even heavily beaded lycra skirts for several years.

I keep my costumes in a little closet with not a lot of rack space but a lot of shelves, which works really well. veils I store on four-tiered flocked trouser hangers. I used to hang my bras on the hangers with the skirts, but now I slip each one in a compartment of a hanging shoe hanger similar to this: Extra Wide Hanging Canvas 10 Pocket Shoe Organizer - Hanging Organizers - Garment Storage - Closet - Organized Living . if you have more space, they make ones with bigger compartments for sweaters that would fit your bra, belt and accessories. belts are folded in quarters and line up on a shelf. each costume's accessories go in a ziplock bag (that I don't seal all the way) in a storage bin on a shelf. costumes that aren't in heavy rotation (my melaya leff dress, folkloric dresses, etc) go in individual clear storage bins with lids that stack.
I do have one gigantic bin that I keep random large fluffy skirts in. shamadan goes up on a shelf, fan veils hang from a nail on the wall, isis wings and canes hang on hooks tucked in an unused corner, shoes go on a shoe rack on a shelf up above my skirts.

I have a hook on the inside of the closet door where I will hang a costume for a few days after it's been worn.

Wow, I must be a huge dork because hearing about all these closets and organizers makes me want to see pictures of your pretties in their closets! LOL!

Previously, I used see-thru plastic storage bins, but got tired of rustling through the stacks. Usually, the costume I wanted was on the bottom, of course!

Lately, I've pared down my costume supply and I bought a used dresser from a second hand store. All my beaded costumes go in there, and I hang whatever else I can. Coin scarves are stored in a tote bag, ready to kart along for beginner students and teaching gigs. I keep my favorite performance makeup in my performance tote bag (great little compartments and has wheels), and the rest in a nifty little box I keep in my bathroom.

For jewelry, I use rhinestone which matches pretty much all my costumes and that and a little Saidi jewelry stay in my performance tote bag too.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Wow, I must be a huge dork because hearing about all these closets and organizers makes me want to see pictures of your pretties in their closets! LOL!

Ask and ye shall receive

By galateadancer

Yay! Thanks!

Here's what I've got going on, just some Rubbermaid boxes from Target. It's nice that I can just grab a box and go when I need a costume.



Because plastic bins don't breathe, I always let my costumes air out for a day after I wear them before I put them back in the box. Also, I save the silica gel packets from shoeboxes and electronics boxes, so each box has a packet of silica gel in it.

I buy or make dance briefs to go with every costume I have, so the dance briefs go in the box with the costume they go with.

I have a few circle skirts that all live in a Rubbermaid box together; I don't hang them up because that can cause the bias to stretch out and make the hem all wonky.

My boyfriend built us a standalone wardrobe from Lowe's for like $80, and that goes in the basement. I get one half, he gets the other half. :) All my stuff that I can hang up (ghawazee coats, straight skirts, tiered skirts, vests, cholis, etc.) goes in there.

I keep all my sundries in a Rubbermaid cart, the kind with three pull-out drawers that's like the size of a small file cabinet and has wheels on the bottom. Hip scarves, zills, jewelry, bra pads, safety pins, and other miscellany all go in there.

So many great ideas!

I too use the plastic bins like Nimah has pictured above. I took a drill to mine though, so they all have little holes for breathing. However, if you do this, you need a big metal file to smooth away the plastic around the holes as it gets sharp and will try to eat your costumes.

I love the idea of the hanging cloth shoe rack for veils. Just yesterday I picked them all up off the floor to fold neatly over hangers.

Originally Posted by steffib

I keep my skirts folded inside out in a big tub ...

Inside out? Because?

Originally Posted by mahira-michelle

I hang circle skirts.

Do youall iron your tiered 25-yd skirts? I *hate* ironing, esp. tiered skirts.

Originally Posted by JennivereMarjeta

To keep my coin belts from tangling, I lay them flat on a piece of fabric and then roll it all up (jelly roll fashion) then tie with a piece of ribbon.

Oh! I was concerned about that, and I used a bathtowel. I'll use a tie as well, yeah! Thanks!

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

PS. For make-up I use this:
1791 - ClearView 3 Drawer Organizer
They are really cheap at Big lots and the Dollar General.

But now I want this because the drawers snap shut, so in theory you could grab a tray and go: 3-Tier Scrapbook Chest

This is a good idea! But where do I store it at home?
For me, the problem with costumes it not having enough space at home. I have no more room for boxes or cases... If I want to buy more costumes, I don't know what to do...

Yes, exactly! I bought three of these:

IKEA | Storage furniture | Chests of drawers | MALM | 4-drawer chest One holds costume stuff, one is used for costume-making supplies, and the other is for other sewing-room misc. items. About three bedlah fit in each drawer. I was also storing fabric in plastic bins before this and it was less than ideal for me.

Originally Posted by Adishakti

Previously, I used see-thru plastic storage bins, but got tired of rustling through the stacks. Usually, the costume I wanted was on the bottom, of course!

Lately, I've pared down my costume supply and I bought a used dresser from a second hand store. All my beaded costumes go in there, and I hang whatever else I can.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Yes, exactly! I bought three of these:

IKEA | Storage furniture | Chests of drawers | MALM | 4-drawer chest One holds costume stuff, one is used for costume-making supplies, and the other is for other sewing-room misc. items. About three bedlah fit in each drawer. I was also storing fabric in plastic bins before this and it was less than ideal for me.

I bought a rubbermaid (OK, 3 rubbermaid) dressers like this and store everthing in it. One has costumes, one has tribal and workout wear, the other has props and accessories. It really works the best for me.