How to Store & Care for Festive Outfits Between Occasions

Mounika Gade
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An ornate lehenga or a hand embroidered saree is not only an expensive purchase but also a product of great artistry involved in creating the fabric and adding all the details to it. Still, many of these efforts gradually fade away in the period of storage until the next wedding season arrives or another festive occasion approaches. Agapi Clothing, a boutique brand offering ethnic wear based in Dallas, Texas, strives to make sure all the festive clothes their clients purchase will stay relevant for several seasons, which is why we are publishing this guide on how to preserve and take care of these outfits.

This issue often arises at the end of the wedding season when customers ask questions related to storing and preserving their festive clothes. It happens because there is no time difference between "How should I clean this dress?" and "How should I store it in order to preserve its condition for next year?"

Step One: Never Store an Outfit Dirty

Everything should be absolutely clean and dry before you store it. There will always be chances of makeup, perfume, food, and even oils from the body settling into your clothes, and it may be very difficult to get rid of the stains once you get them after months of storage. 

When it comes to items that require embroidery like the Deep Red Silk Sharara Set with Gota Patti and Sequin Work, dry cleaning will have to be done by a professional in order to keep the gota patti and sequins intact. For an item like the Suhaag Crimson Red Floral Saree, make sure that there is nothing left to remove from the saree, especially from the blouse and pallu areas.

Step Two: Skip the Plastic

Garment bags made of plastic and dry cleaners may be perceived as protective clothing, but they are among the most popular storage errors. Plastic keeps moisture in close contact with the clothing, and within a few months' time, it may cause yellowing, a musty odor, and even mildew in regions where the climate is humid. Fabric is a more appropriate choice when it comes to storing each ethnic wear item.

How to Store & Care for Festive Outfits Between Occasions

RANG Collection

It is recommended to use muslin or cotton fabric instead of plastic when wrapping such items as Ziya Teal Lehenga Set that features Fendi silk fabric. The fabric provides good protection from dust without keeping the fabric in tight contact. It is highly important since the garment is embroidered with zari threads.

Step Three: Fold Thoughtfully, Not Just Tightly

The way that clothing is folded has the same impact on its shape as the way it is washed. Foldings that are tight and frequent along the same lines will cause permanent creases, especially in materials such as silk and heavily decorated clothing. Clothing which is embroidered or sequined or has mirror work done can also become flattened or cracked with repetitive foldings along the same line.

For clothing such as the Olive Green Satin Kurta Set with Zari Thread and Mirror Work, one might consider folding it using different lines of fold every few months, or perhaps not folding it at all but rather rolling it.

Step Four: Choose the Right Storage Environment

As important as the method of folding holiday attire, the location where you keep them becomes an equally crucial factor. An environment that is cool, dry, and dark is recommended; for example, a closet that isn’t exposed to heat vents, sunlight, or any area that may experience excessive humidity. Direct sunlight, in particular, could affect the colors of your attire such as crimson red or olive green over time.

For those who store their holiday attire in a place that doesn’t offer controlled climate conditions, such as a garage or even an attic, placing a moisture absorbing packet in the container should be considered because humidity is a seasonal problem in Texas.

Step Five: Keep Festive Wear Separate From Everyday Clothing

It would be quite convenient for you to hang the lehenga or sharara outfit right next to other clothes, but then again, these clothes should really be hung somewhere else where they will not encounter any other clothes that are constantly in use. It is always better to avoid the risk of snagging their embroidery on other clothes’ zippers or buttons.

Step Six: Check In on Stored Pieces Periodically

Regardless of the perfect conditions, it makes sense to take festive clothes out every several months simply to freshen them up and see whether there are any traces of moisture, insects, or color change in the garments. In addition, it can be a good idea to try and smooth the garment out and re-fold it along a slightly different line to avoid such issues as permanent creases, which appear due to pressure exerted by the very same part of the garment.

This process might be neglected after the outfit has been properly put into storage, but this is perhaps one of the easiest ways to detect a problem before it becomes serious. Moisture or an insect problem can be handled much easier at the third month of storing clothes rather than at the ninth month when the problem would have had enough time to affect the fabric or embroidery.

Suhaag Crimson Red Floral Saree by Agapi Clothing featuring elegant floral artistry, a graceful designer drape, and premium ethnic style for bridal and festive occasions.

Why Asking In-Store Beats Guessing at Home

Each piece of clothing and each embellishment requires a different form of storage and, hence, it is possible to easily harm an article of clothing by using a one size fits all approach when storing it.

It is for this reason that you would do well to inquire about storage tips in person from someone who is well informed. In our Agapi Clothing store based in Dallas, we would be able to guide you through the process of storing whatever particular garment you may be purchasing. For instance, we can explain how to properly store a Fendi silk lehenga such as Ziya, an embellished sharara such as Deep Red or even a mirror work kurta set such as Olive Green.

Final Thoughts

A festive ensemble must be enjoyed repeatedly and not only once before being forgotten at the back of a drawer. Proper cleansing, breathable storage, meticulous folding, and the appropriate environment will allow you to use your silk sharara, embroidered saree, or mirror work kurta set to celebrate several weddings and festive events in the years to come. 

To see in more detail those ensembles that will serve you for many years to come the Deep Red sharara, the Suhaag saree, the Ziya lehenga, or the Olive Green kurta set, visit Agapi Clothing or visit our Dallas boutique to ask our staff how to maintain the ensemble you have chosen.

Men’s olive green festive kurta with zari embroidery

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it possible to consult the Agapi Dallas store regarding storage of a particular outfit purchased from there? 

Yes, as the Agapi Dallas store will provide all the information about storing silk, embellished, or embroidered outfits at the time of purchase.

2. Should festive outfits be kept in plastic garment bags? 

No, as plastic garment bags create moisture and lead to yellowing and musty odor; muslin or cotton cloth is better in this case.

3. How frequently do I need to take care of my festive outfits during storage? 

Once in every two months is good enough to air your outfit, and re-fold it on a different line in order to avoid permanent creases.

4. Are there any suggestions for storage of embellished outfits such as mirror work, zari, or other kinds of embroidery? 

Yes, as the staff of the Agapi Dallas store will provide you with storage suggestions depending on the kind of embellishment and material used in the making of an outfit.

5. What is the biggest sin in storage of ethnic wear between events? 

One of the biggest sins is storing an outfit without ensuring that it is completely clean and dry.