How do I clean a 20s chiffon dress?

CV, these dresses can be quite fragile so I generally don't recommend cleaning them!

Of course, that's hard if you want to wear it, so here's what I would do - go over it thoroughly and repair every little rip and tear. Inspect the fabric to see if it's strong or weak - if the former, you could probably trust it to a good dry cleaner. If the latter, appreciate just as it is. Sometimes they can be carefully hand-washed but it can be risky.

Nicole
 
Hmm... I would like to see some close-ups of the dress if it was sold to you as '1920's.' Could you could show the inside construction - seams and bodice and fastenings? The style if it is original is early 1930's.

The slip/petticoat looks original.
 
Print chiffons do shrink, and the colors are also not likely to be color fast. I would air it out and steam it up and see where you are.

The slip would be hand washable in a screen or lingerie bag, then lay flat to dry.

It's hard to tell the intended length because modern mannequins are so very tall. These print chiffons were popular from the 20s into the 30s and with the dropped waist and length as shown, I can certainly see why a dealer might err on the late 20s side of the range, rather than 1930 - 33. If it has a side zipper, well that's another story.

Hollis
 
Nicole- thanks- I will check the fabric, though it seems pretty strong at least at the first glance.. Not sure if I am the only one, but I only buy vintage that I can wear.. I did buy some vintage earlier just because the dress was pretty, but given the limited closet space I have, I am beginning to only buy stuff that I can wear..so I hope I do get to wear this dress- it is perfect for summer..

vertugarde- here are some additional pictures from the seller.. seller dated the dress as 20s... I am not really sure what era it belongs to, I just bought it because I loved it :-)
http://img8.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=drss1.jpg

Hollis- I will try steaming it.. there is no side zipper or any zipper for that matter..


thanks everyone.
CV
 
CV, you can still wear the dress, I'd just try to avoid actually washing it.....as Hollis said, you can air it and steam it. Also you can try sponging it a little and if it holds up, you can use that technique for doing the underarms. Also, wearing underarm shields will protect it from perspiration too.

I agree with Hollis that the dress is early '30s. The petticoat looks '20s. I think your dress was originally floor length, they often shrink if they have been washed or it might have been shortened.

Nicole
 
Sorry to disagree Nicole but this dress would not have been floor length. The fastening question - no zip but are there any hooks and eyes or poppers? I'd like to see a real close-up of seams. I'm just concerned it might be a good reproduction - a genuine repro say for theatre or film.

For an early dress or any piece for that matter you need to look carefully at all the materials including threads used in the construction. This fabric looks like quite a modern cotton voile but the stitching (in a pic you posted) may be of a heavier weight than I would have expected and what looks like zig-zag overlocking on the sleeve edges.

As I said earlier the slip or petticoat looks period but would not have been with this dress originally - if the dress is authentic.
 
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