Advice re: buying a deadstock dress

[Ocsheila]

Hello! I’m new here.. hopefully I’m posting this in the right place.

I bought a deadstock dress off Etsy recently. It will arrive soon and I had a question since I’ve never bought a deadstock dress before.

It is from the 1970s. Is it safe to handle something that hasn’t been washed in decades? I think it might be a silly question to ask - I buy used clothes often but im a bit of a germaphobe overall.

Some other dresses in the estate sale did have some moth holes but I don’t believe this one does.

I’m going to dry clean it as soon as I receive it. I bought it because I think it’s a really elegant and simple dress, and I liked it right away! But I feel apprehensive about it too for some reason, since I’ve never bought something pre-1980s and never anything deadstock.

 

[BlackLotusVintage]

It really is such a cute dress, the cut, the color, everything! You should be fine dry cleaning it before wearing it. And yes, it is safe to handle. Delving into vintage pre-1980s is going to be a real treat, and I bet this is going to be the first of many older pieces for you.

 

[Ocsheila]

It really is such a cute dress, the cut, the color, everything! You should be fine dry cleaning it before wearing it. And yes, it is safe to handle. Delving into vintage pre-1980s is going to be a real treat, and I bet this is going to be the first of many older pieces for you.

Thanks for your kind reply!!!

 

[MagsRags]

Deadstock means never worn, outside the store at least. I see the tags are still attached too! It could have been tried on in the store.

New Old Stock will not have flaws from wear, but will sometimes have issues related to storage, like dust or sun bleaching. It sounds like this dress does not.

It would most likely be safe to wear as-is, but if you are going to clean it, I agree with dry clean only for this. Lined garments can do unpredictable things when washed.

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Deadstock means never worn, outside the store at least. I see the tags are still attached too! It could have been tried on in the store.

New Old Stock will not have flaws from wear, but will sometimes have issues related to storage, like dust or sun bleaching. It sounds like this dress does not.

I, for one, never realized there was a difference between deadstock and new old stock, thanks.

 

[MagsRags]

a difference between deadstock and new old stock

Oops! I was using the terms interchangeably. I think deadstock is a more commonly used term, and some folks also use NOS to shorten their titles. And then there’s NWT, NWOT - it can get confusing!

 

[The Vintage Vendeuse]

Oops! I was using the terms interchangeably. I think deadstock is a more commonly used term, and some folks also use NOS to shorten their titles. And then there’s NWT, NWOT - it can get confusing!

Silly me, thanks for clearing that up!