Thread: Storage of Cabaret Costumes

I have recently purchased my first cabaret costume. It is stunning to say the least! However I am now at a loss on how to clean and store it when it's not in use.

Any suggestions?

You might get some better responses if you re-post this in the Fitness Beauty and Costuming section!

Welcome to Bhuz!

Andrea2 (of NeeNee's Imports) taught me NOT to fold the bra in half, though it's tempting. It weakens the stiff material between the cups.

I store my bras in plastic storage boxes. If there's a separate belt, that goes in the box as well. If it's a decorated skirt that might wrinkle, I clip it on a skirt hanger then lift up the lower half of the skirt and drape that over a second hanger -- for this I like to use the dry cleaner kind, with the cardboard tube at the bottom. i've also draped a dishtowel or pillowcase over the second hanger to make a nice padded surface to drape the skirt over.

If you use a pillowcase, you can tuck your arm and/or headbands inside it, and you can use the pillowcase to transport the costume so it won't snag inside your gig bag.

Accessories can go in a ziplock bag.

I have designed bags just for this purpose - because I used pillowcases and they were sub-optimal for carrying costumes in. I keep bras and belts in the bags, and then I can store the bags in plastic drawers. The bags I've designed have a side pocket for the accessories. When it's time to pack for a gig, grab the bag and put it in your suitcase - the bra, belt, and accessories stay together and don't snag any chiffon or silk items. Then, after your show, the cotton bag absorbs moisture, is breathable, and is washable!

Besides, they're cute!

This one shows the front pocket where your accessories go:




This picture shows the separate sections for bra and belt:




The bags as they look flat. The dimensions are 18" x 12", I think that most bras and belts will fit in here. You will need to fold the belt, but not the bra:



The inside of the bag is all finished edges - the end is a french seam, all other edges are pinked for durability:



If the other cotton objects I've made are any indication, these should last for years!

Anyway, that's how I'm storing mine now. Sorry to spam, but I'm totally excited about this, and I do hope it catches on! I've been dying for something just like this for years!

These are great! You planning to sell any? Or a pattern? (love your fabric choices, too)

Right now I've got them posted on facebook, send me a pm if you want more info.

I use these:

IKEA | Boxes & baskets | Paper & media boxes | NOSTALGISK | Box for paper with lid. They're stackable (on top of my wardrobe) but the little window let's me see what's inside at a glance.

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wow tamra henna!! what a great idea. i usually use pillowcases too but these baggies are totally cooler.

tamrahennatx -- those are awesome, I will pm you

I have some stored in a dresser lined with acid free tissue paper- those are honestly the ones I don't use so much anymore!
I like using hat boxes for bedlah- doesn't squash the bra cups & still enough room for the belt & accessories. You can paste a picture on the side of the hat boxes for easy retrieval & they stack well.
I hate ironing, so I have an over size archival box that lets me lay out the skirts, layered with tissue paper. Veils usually get hung with slacks clips (again, I hate ironing!)
Tamra Henna- I am drooling over those bags! would be so perfect for the costumes that are in more frequent rotation! just need a clip on matching make up/emergancy repair kit that is easily transferable from bag to bag...

oh, darn it THTX! now you've got me planning a a whole series of sewing projects! I don't have tiiiiime!

Thanks everyone! I did decide to modify the design and went without zippers. While it would mean that you couldn't throw the bags in the washing machine, I'm not sure enough of us machine wash our costumes enough to make it an issue. I went with flap closures, which still keep the goods safe and sound and are faster to make!

THTX - I have been doing something similar for years. At one point I was going to make them with tabs at the top so that they could be suspended over the top of a clothes hanger which would have the skirt attached.

Cotton bags are obviously a great choice simply because they breath. And if you can make them yourself, they are cheap. I use old sheets.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I store my bras in plastic storage boxes. If there's a separate belt, that goes in the box as well.

That's what I do, too. I just have a bunch of Rubbermaid bins with my costumes in them, stacked on top of each other. Because plastic doesn't really breathe, I make sure to leave my costumes laid out overnight before I put them away, so the sweat can evaporate. I save the little packets of silica gel that come with shoes and purses, and I put them in the bins with the costumes.

I hang very few of my skirts, though. Most of them just go in the bin with the bra/belt. If the skirt is decorated, the weight of the embellishments can stretch and weaken the fabric over time. If the skirt is a circle skirt (or if it has godets that are made from circles), hanging the skirt can make it stretch out along the bias, and the hem will become uneven. This is true even if the skirt was hung for an appropriate amount of time before it was originally hemmed (which my seamstress friend tells me is rarely the case).

The few skirts that I hang are just plain, undecorated straight skirts and mermaid skirts that I sewed myself.

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

THTX - I have been doing something similar for years. At one point I was going to make them with tabs at the top so that they could be suspended over the top of a clothes hanger which would have the skirt attached.

Cotton bags are obviously a great choice simply because they breath. And if you can make them yourself, they are cheap. I use old sheets.

{{{HUGS}}}

I LOVE the idea of a tab!

Originally Posted by Anjela

That's what I do, too. I just have a bunch of Rubbermaid bins with my costumes in them, stacked on top of each other. Because plastic doesn't really breathe, I make sure to leave my costumes laid out overnight before I put them away, so the sweat can evaporate. I save the little packets of silica gel that come with shoes and purses, and I put them in the bins with the costumes.

I have a bin about 30" long and 12" deep and about 5" tall. It is transparent on all but the top side.

Along with the airing-out, I put something, like a wadded up bandanna, between the bin and the lid so it can continue to breathe and doesn't take on that "plastic" whiff. I love the stackability and how it protects from (most) dust out here in the country.

All the accessories are inside with the costume.

My bin sits on one of those stupid upper shelves typical old farmhouses. The makeup bag sits on top.