There’s nothing quite like Mardi Gras – with its vibrant balls, lively parades, and colorful beads. But once the festivities end, how do krewe members and other revelers make sure their Mardi Gras ball gowns remain pristine for future carnival celebrations?
Mardi Gras ball gowns aren’t just costumes – they are significant investments. Whether you plan to re-wear your dress or preserve it as a keepsake, our expert guide on storing Mardi Gras ball gowns will help you maintain your gown in immaculate condition for years to come.
Get your Mardi Gras Gown Professional Cleaned Before Storing
Before you tuck your Mardi Gras ball gown away, the first step is making sure it’s as clean as the day you first twirled in it. Even if your gown doesn’t show visible signs of revelry, invisible offenders like sweat, oils, and spilled drinks can linger in the fabric. These hidden culprits set into the fibers over time, leading to stains that are difficult, if not impossible, to remove later. Invisible stains, often containing sugars, can also attract moths and other pests if left untreated. These pests can damage and deteriorate the garment fibers
That’s where professional cleaning comes into play.
Experienced dry cleaners specialize in using gentle yet effective techniques to remove anything that could cause long term damage. This meticulous process helps guarantee that your gown comes out of storage looking as good as when it was first put away.
Repair Damage Immediately
If you notice any loose seams, missing beads ,or minor tears, don’t wait until later to fix them. Small pulled threads can quickly become rows of missing sequins when gowns are moved around or handled in storage.
When you get your mardi gras gown professionally cleaned, ask if they have an alterations team that can check for and repair any damage. These repair professionals can inspect your dress with a well-trained eye, tying off any loose threads, adding reinforcement to weak areas, and making sure that there’s no problems areas that will become worse over time.
Choose the Proper Storage Supplies for your Gown
It’s important to store your mardi gras gown in a garment bag when storing to protect it from dust, moisture, and unwanted bugs. But in Louisiana especially, it’s vital that you purchase a quality fabric garment bag that can breathe. Plastic garment bags can trap humidity, leading to mold or mildew.
You should also consider using a padded hanger for your ball gown. These can be purchased online, or you can make your own by wrapping a soft fabric around your hangers to create a pillow effect. Padded hangers will keep your gown from stretching oddly or becoming misshapen over time.
If you have an especially heavy gown that may weigh down a hanger, another option is storing it flat or folded with acid-free tissue paper between the folds to prevent creasing.
Keep Your Mardi Gras Gown in the Right Place
Once your gown is cleaned, mended, and properly covered, now it’s time to find a place to keep it until next carnival season!
Hang it in a cool, dry place. In Louisiana, this isn’t always the easiest! If your closet doesn’t get good airflow or gets muggy during the summer, you may need to find another area of your home to store it.
It’s also important to store it away from direct sunlight to avoid discoloration, so the storage place you choose should be dark.
Finally, the more space the better! Your mardi gras gown should be able to hang freely without being cramped to avoid wrinkles and stains from other clothing items.
Feeling Overwhelmed with Gown Storage? We Can Help!
If these steps are feeling like a lot to DIY, Kean’s is here to make your life easier.
We’ve been in Louisiana for 125 years of Mardi Gras – that’s a lot of gowns cared for and properly stored! – and we have it down to a science.
Whether you’d like us to handle the process from beginning to end, or you’re just looking for some advice, we look forward to helping you keep your mardi gras gown in the best possible condition for years to come.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
