Keep Dress in the Dark?

Comipa

I ordered my dress from the DavidsBridal website, style number 9WG3248 for those interested, and it showed up about a month ago. I've had it in a dress bag that I purchased from a DavidsBridal store, you know... the kind that breaths and zip, not the plastic bag.

Anyway, my wedding isn't for another 2 YEARS and my friend said it was too heavy to be hanging that long and that I should lay it down. So I went looking online for how to store a heavy dress long term. 

Indeed I probably should lay it down so the straps don't stretch and the beading designs don't deform. But I've read that it should also be kept in the dark. The only space large enough to lay my dress out is on top of my shoulder height dresser (it and the bag are folded in thirds) so sunlight will hit the bag throughout the day. 

I worry that it will discolor because it will have to be stored for 2 years... a little more than that actually. 

Any one know if it's ok to just sit in the bag on top of a dresser for so long? I will take it down every so often and hang it to prevent permanent creases.

Maybe I should wrap it in a sheet? *Sigh* I don't know. 

kikirst33

Do you have any closets with high shelves that you could lay it on?

Your option of wrapping it in a blanket will also work.  There should be no problems if you fold your dress as long as your change the folds every 2-3 months.  They recommend this type of process when storing valuable quilts (my Mom is a collector). Re-folding every few months prevents th fabric from having memory of the folds.  And you will have it steamed before your wedding so the folds will essentially dissappear.

loca4pook

No ideas for you except possibly check with a local dry cleaner as they preserve wedding dresses all the time... just curious as to why you bought your dress so much in advance?

Comipa

The closet shelves in my house are thin. Even folded I think it would hang over so much it would fall. I have pets so the floor or anything low is not an option. 

I will wrap it in a blanket or something. I'm just so worried of putting it on in 2 years and finding out it's yellow-ish (yuck!) 

Thanks!!

Comipa

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_keep-dress-in-the-dark?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:e79a85bb-5e9a-4a16-810b-11abec5f9ea0Post:ccc6039b-06a1-4e03-ae01-3248e2cf9c91">Re: Keep Dress in the Dark?</a>:
[QUOTE]No ideas for you except possibly check with a local dry cleaner as they preserve wedding dresses all the time... just curious as to why you bought your dress so much in advance?
Posted by loca4pook[/QUOTE]

<div>I bought it because I went in to David's Bridal to try on another dress that looked good online and a trainwreck when I put it on. My consultant said she had something else like it. So I tried that one on. I really liked it.</div><div>
</div><div>The consultant said it had just been discontinued so what they had was all there was for that style of dress. Also, it was 50% off. Our budget is a huge deal for me as we don't have a big one. It looked good on me and was cheap enough that I couldn't let it go. Ordering it online meant I got a brand new dress that made me feel skinny (cuz I'm SO not) for 1/2 the retail price. <3</div>

QueerFemme

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_keep-dress-in-the-dark?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:e79a85bb-5e9a-4a16-810b-11abec5f9ea0Post:9bd0d800-f0cc-4ec8-9531-fb895bb55034">Re: Keep Dress in the Dark?</a>:
[QUOTE]The closet shelves in my house are thin. Even folded I think it would hang over so much it would fall. I have pets so the floor or anything low is not an option.  I will wrap it in a blanket or something. I'm just so worried of putting it on in 2 years and finding out it's yellow-ish (yuck!)  Thanks!!
Posted by Comipa[/QUOTE]

I might try to find a Very long garment box, and store it on the floor of the closet. 

Something like this:
<a href="http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-14284/Corrugated-Boxes-200-Test/29-x-17-x-3-Corrugated-Boxes?pricode=WU329&gadtype=pla&gclid=CKfI07Pt2LECFSQbQgod0CUAYA" rel="nofollow">http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-14284/Corrugated-Boxes-200-Test/29-x-17-x-3-Corrugated-Boxes?pricode=WU329&gadtype=pla&gclid=CKfI07Pt2LECFSQbQgod0CUAYA</a>

if it isn't long enough, you can always cut out of the ends, and tape two together to make it longer. 

Maggie0829

Have you thought about just getting the dress preserved?  You could check around to see about the prices in your area but by preserving it you remove the possibility of it yellowing completely and it will put into a nice box that you can easily store in a closet.

polkadot111

I had my dress in my closet for 3 years. It is totally fine still. I wouldn't worry about it.

jodiemariecooksley

Curious why you bought it so soon? Alot can change in two years! You might even change your mind in two years and see a dress you love even more! I hope you don't second guess your purchase. Also, the issue of weight fluxuation comes to mind, I know for me, at least, over the last two years my weight has gone up and down a lot and I am not the same size I was 2 years ago. I would be in deep trouble if I was trying to fit into the size I was two years ago right now. That's my two sense anyway. I know it's easy to get excited about the big day and want to get a good deal, and it's too late now, you already bought it.

Comipa

It's me enough for me to like it no matter how much time has passed. And I ordered it a size bigger just in case I gain a lot of weight. They can always cut it down, can't really add fabric :P