It can be a challenge to find the time and space to best store your clothes and accessories. However, keeping them in the best condition is worth it in the long term. You will get as much life from them as possible and keep them looking good as new.
Take Care of Business with Your Favourite Suits
There’s only one thing for suits and that is to invest in a quality set of hangers. Wooden is a good, solid choice. A sturdy set is likely to last a lifetime. Additionally, they’re the better choice when it comes to caring for the environment.
Suit jackets should be hung on a wooden hanger, curved slightly downwards to emulate the shape of the shoulders. You can find custom suit hangers so trousers can be stored alongside or use a separate hanger to give them ample space and keep them crisp following finishing. For skirt suits, the same principle applies. You can find wooden hangers that come with clip attachments or store the skirt separately. After dry cleaning, suits should be hung in a moisture-free wardrobe. If they’re rarely worn, use a fabric suit bag to protect them before their next outing.
Keep Beaded Gowns Looking Glamorous
We’re now back in the roaring 20s. So, with a trend for glamorous gowns in full swing, many of you will likely own an outfit featuring beading work. Dresses that are elaborately beaded will need extra care due to their delicacy and heaviness. Some people prefer to store beaded gowns on hangers with dress bags over for protection against snagging and damage to the embellishments. This is fine for items with only small areas of beading.
However, for heavy dresses with a lot of detail, it is best to keep them folded. This takes the stress off the shoulders, especially if they’re delicate straps. Use a card box, place the dress hem-first inside, fold gently in an accordion pattern and keep the beads protected with layers of acid-free tissue. Store away from strong daylight, moisture and dust.
Always make sure you take beaded gowns for professional dry cleaning before placing into storage.
Wedding dresses require specialist dry cleaning, repair and storage. This will have a blog post all of its own in the coming months.
How to Store Handbags and Bags
Bags and handbags are incredibly varied in their materials, designs and composition. Some may fare well hung on the back of a door. Others need nothing less than a full care package. For those made of high-quality materials, the boxes and dust bags they came in are important to save and use. If you have a quality leather overnight bag, for example, consider regular waterproofing and hand-finishing. Loose pieces and embroidery work will need tightening up on clutches after heavy use. Vintage bags, such as leather satchels or designer handbags, often benefit from specialist attention. Missing buttons, metalwork, stains, scratches or tears can usually be rectified by experts. For a glimpse into the painstaking work that goes into caring for handbags and to see some astounding transformations, visit our case studies page.
Buckle Up on Your Belt Storage
Belts are a sadly overlooked item in many wardrobes. A lot of us approach belt storage by hanging them on the back of doors, in wardrobes or anywhere there is space. However, this exposes them to dust, moisture and bright sunlight. If your belt is made from a premium fabric, this approach will have them looking very tired, very quickly. A great solution is to allocate some drawer space and get a small compartmentalised tray. Then wind your belts into a circle and store in the spaces. As well as protecting them from the elements, you will be able to grab your favourite one quickly when in a hurry. Don’t forget to treat leather belts to regular cleaning and finishing. Chain belts may need to be held in place with clips or hung individually to stop tangling.
Ties – Knot a Problem to Store
Ties are a traditional and striking addition to any outfit, especially when there’s an occasion ahead. If you harbour an impressive tie collection, you may find your habit gets out of control fast. Before you know it, you will have a tie mountain, slowly infringing upon your clothes space. Solve this problem by allocating room in your wardrobe for a tie hanger or rack, maybe two. This will keep them flat, shapely and away from sunlight, which can cause colour-fade. Fit-for-purpose hangers or racks also prevent delicate, patterned and silk ties from catching and becoming snagged. Which is always a sad day for the tie enthusiast.
Rack or Box Up Your Shoes
Storing shoes to keep them in prime condition is easy. It’s finding the space to do so that many people struggle with. However, being smart with space is key. If you’ve made a habit of keeping their original boxes, using them as storage is a great option. They can then be slotted into an overhead shelf or a neat closet space. This way, you can tell which are which and access them quickly in a hurry. Keeping shoes in boxes also saves them getting misshaped or squashed. Clean them after wearing to keep outside dirt away from your wardrobe. Make sure your shoes are stored in a clean, dry, dust-free environment. Ensure there is as little moisture as possible to avoid damp or mould growth.
Doff Your Cap to Hat Boxes
Hats are a tricky one. Coming in infinite shapes, sizes and materials, it’s best to treat each on a case-by-case basis. If you like to wear beanies, berets, bobble or soft woollen hats, follow their individual washing or dry cleaning instructions. They may need stretching slightly during drying to retain their shape and stop shrinkage. If you have an elaborate wedding hat you want to keep safe, the original box is the best thing for it. This should contain protective padding or wrapping to ensure embellishments are protected and keep their shape. For top hats, specialist care and dry cleaning methods may be required. Seek expert advice on their upkeep and storage.
Sparkle Up Your Jewellery Collection
Your jewellery, whether fine pieces or costume, needs to be properly handled and stored to avoid knots, breaks and scratches. Delicate chains can be hung in a jewellery cabinet. Take care to avoid tangling by keeping necklaces hung individually and separate from bracelets. Pay special attention to stones and decorative details. Pearls, diamonds and precious stones may be best kept inlined pouches or boxes away from sunlight. More robust statement pieces could be placed on jewellery hangers or racks. These can be kept on a wall or on the inside of your wardrobe. Taking some time out to properly store your clothes and accessories will ensure they retain their shape, colour and if a premium item, their value. Happy organising and here’s to a clear, well-organised wardrobe.