Mia, Myself and I

Caring for your Prom Dress

You want to keep your prom dress or ball gown in good condition especially if you want to resell it later for the best price.

Storing Your Prom Dress

There are two basic ways of storing your prom dress. One is to fold it carefully in tissue paper and store it in a box with a few cedar balls and/or a few fabric softener sheets. OR you can fold it over a hanger at the waist (back side over the hanger) and place it inside a garment bag.

Remember, this is a long, heavy dress. Hanging your gown up by the shoulders or straps may cause stretching of the straps or the fabric in the shoulders. You can also hang up your gown by the straps and ribbons and then drape the rest of the dress over another hanger-at about the knees. This will also prevent stretching. Personally, I take no chances. I fold my all dresses.

Coming Out of Storage

You’ll need to bring the gown or prom dress out of storage several days before your event. There are several methods for removing wrinkles and restoring freshness.

One is to hang the dress in the bathroom while a hot shower steams the wrinkles from the dress. I prefer this method to using hand steamers. Hand steamers require a little bit of salt in the water to make them work properly. Salt is very corrosive and can damage the fabric over time.

Another way to remove wrinkles is to liberally mist the dress with a mixture of water that contains a splash of fabric softener. Then hang the dress up somewhere out of the way. Allow the water and the weight of the dress to slowly remove the wrinkles. This is not the best approach for silk or satin.

Some dresses just have to be ironed-silk, satin, etc. Ironing with steam is acceptable if you don’t use any salt. But be very careful—some fabrics will change color slightly when ironed with steam–especially those that are of a lighter shade. So test a small portion first. This is typically not a problem for black dresses. For extra protection you can place a piece of unprinted grocery sack between the dress and the iron.

After the Party

The day after the party use a warm washcloth to remove and deodorant stains under the arms. You really want to do this as soon as possible as some deodorants can lighten or discolor fabric over time. Let your dress air out for a day or two before you store it. This is also a good time to mist it gently with the water/fabric softener mixture.

About the Author

Mischelle (Schelly) Weedman-Davis is a freelance writer and the client relations manager for the Davis Law Group, a Seattle personal injury law firm. To learn more about Davis Law Group visit http://www.InjuryTrialLawyer.com or http://www.washingtonaccidentbook.com.

Howe II Stretch Satin Dress with Ruffled Sleeves

Dickies Womens Short Sleeve Stretch Poplin Shirt $36.00 Tailored Fit, Wrinkle resistant, Stain release, Moisture wicking, Dyed to match buttons, Collar stays, Front welt pocket, Industrial laundry friendly. 5 oz. Mechanical stretch poplin, 65% polyester/35% cotton. Always look fresh in this classic stretch poplin top….

White Stretch Nylon Dress Glove, Snap Closure, Ladies’ [PRICE is per DOZEN] * Formal Dress Gloves are Constructed in Full Fashion Pattern with Fourchettes and Set-In Thumbs for a Tailored Fit. * Three Lines of Raised Stitching on Back. * Ladiesâ?TM Size for True Fit on Female Hands. * Used for Formal Occasions by Police, Firemen, Waiters, Marching Bands, Military and Pallbearers….

Gray Stretch Nylon Dress Glove, Open Cuff, Men’s [PRICE is per DOZEN] * Formal Dress Gloves are Constructed in Full Fashion Pattern with Fourchettes and Set-In Thumbs for a Tailored Fit. * Three Lines of Raised Stitching on Back. * Used for Formal Occasions by Police, Firemen, Waiters, Marching Bands, Military and Pallbearers….

White Stretch Nylon Dress Glove, Open Cuff, Ladies’ [PRICE is per DOZEN] * Formal Dress Gloves are Constructed in Full Fashion Pattern with Fourchettes and Set-In Thumbs for a Tailored Fit. * Three Lines of Raised Stitching on Back. * Ladiesâ?TM Size for True Fit on Female Hands. * Used for Formal Occasions by Police, Firemen, Waiters, Marching Bands, Military and Pallbearers….

Intel 1 $1.99 …

Intel 1 [HD] …

Mueller Sports Medicine Adjustable Plantar Fasciitis Foot Night Support, Black, Women’s Size 6-13, Men’s Size 5 – 12 $16.45 Designed for use while sleeping. Wake up to relief. Adjustable support gently stretches the Plantar Fascia and Achilles tendon while you sleep. Helps reduce muscle tension, inflammation, and heel pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis. Soft, latex-mesh fabric is breathable and comfortable, while non-slip grip keeps you steady if you need to stand. Wear Adjustable Plantar Fasciitis Foot Support at …

Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil, Cocoa Butter Formula, with Vitamin E, 5.1 oz. $5.52 Breakthrough skin technology. Dermatologically tested. Rapidermal absorption system. Scars. Stretch marks. Dry, damaged skin. Uneven skin tone. Aging skin. Skin Therapy Oil is formulated with our unique rapidermal absorption system for maximum penetration of the epidermal layer allowing our powerful ingredients to deliver targeted benefits. This fast drying formula penetrates deeply without greasi…

Scunci Effortless Beauty Mixed No Damage Black Headwraps, 6-Count $3.99 Scunci N Damage Mixed Hw Black – 1 Pack…

Proporta iPhone 4 Case – Shine II – Black $33.16 Say goodbye to textbook leather cases for your Apple iPhone 4 girls… It’s not often that a case is just as desirable as the gadget or device it’s housing. However, the new Shine Case II for your Apple iPhone 4 from Proporta manages the trick in fine style. A sleek high gloss patent faux leather exterior is available in red and black, fits like a glove and looks as stylish as can be. …