Thread: Storage of Cabaret Costumes

*cross posted on admin's suggestion*

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 can spray the insides of your costume with Febreeze or a 50/50 blend of vodka and water. Lay out to dry completely.

I used to put mine in clear plastic storage boxes, but now use a dresser. Anything that keeps them from being rustled around so they don't lose beads or knick the fabric is fine. Do not hang your costumes. The beads are heavy and will distort the fabric.

I hang my skirts and store bras and belts in a hanging shoe rack. Each piece fits nicely in it's own space and it doesn't trap moisture like a plastic container.
I use the vodka spray for deodorizing and also put old socks with baking soda in them in the shoe rack if a piece is particularly stinky.

I save the little packets and capsules of dessicant (silica crystals I think is what's inside them -?) from bottles of dietary supplements & such, and put them in the storage boxes with my costumes.
Rosette

Plastics can discolour costumes- just because you've been lucky so far, don't assume you always will be! The safest way to store costumes to avoid discoloration is to use acid free tissue paper & boxes.

I have a dresser that I simply lined with a few layers of archival acid free tissue paper. I like using hat boxes for bedlah- fits really nicely & keeps everything together- you can put a picture of the costume on the outside of the box for easy retrieval of the right one. I hate ironing & steaming, so I have a super size archival storage box that I layer my skirts in- tissue between each one. I do hang my veils, again because I hate ironing! but they are not as heavy & most don't have trim- those that do have trim end up in the skirt box.

Always, always test before using anything on a fabric, including vodka & water. It works for most costumes tho- I spritz a little on the underarm area, generally. After every use, do any spot cleaning necessary (gentle soap & water if necessary- I use Eucalan,) check for loose beading to be fixed *immediately* and thoroughly air dry costumes before packing it away. It is such a pain to be hurriedly getting ready for a show & realize you *meant* to sew that little piece back in place.

If you have sequins that are loosing their colour, you can stop the loss by dabbing a bit of clear nail polish on each sequin- time consuming but better than rebeading the darn thing. Clear nail polish also helps keep beaded fringe from coming loose at the ends.

I live in a very dry climate, so it isn't an issue for me, but I think Rosette's suggestion of saving the little silica packs is a great idea.

i store all my costumes in cotton pillowcases. this allows the costume to breathe.

very important point!!!! Thoroughly air out your costume before you put it away. there's nothing worse than taking out a stinky costume.

do not hang the costume, especially if it is a skirt with heavy embroidery. The fabric will stretch and the lycra will die. For circle skirts, also, do not hang. the elastic in the waistband will die and you will have to resew the whole thing. Lara L's idea about boxing circle skirts is great.

check your costume after every use. That way, if anything is falling off, you can resew it well in time before you need to use it again.