to clean or not to clean?

[Hattysattic]

Bought a very pretty but a little tired medieval style sleeveless bias cut wedding dress at auction and spent too much on it so need to sell it, lol! It's lovely but does have some marks and a tiny amount of damage to the top of the tulle 'sleeves', and a little slit on the puddle train near the hem that isn't drastic.

Question is, do I spend a few hours cleaning it myself (I won't be able to get it perfect by any means, but may be slightly less grubby), or do I accept that I will have to describe the other flaws anyway and just list as is?

I am going to take some photo's later once Fin's in bed.

 

[Hattysattic]

Sorry, bad lighting makes it glow in first pic and this is A/F and unsteamed!









Has bigger watermark (nice and pale brown :( ) on side that I hadn't looked at closely. I am half tempted to go to town on having it restored.. but as I am not likely to wear it myself would my investment be worth it?

I do love it - am such a sucker for wedding dresses!

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

It's lovely, Harriet - looks like it would have been worn by a movie star. No help on what you should do, I'm afraid, but look forward to hearing what others have to say.

 

[pastperfect2]

Well it is 1930s, pretty, bias cut and the sleeves are different. All to the good.

It just depends on how good your cleaners is and what you have in it.

The cleaners here in the USA would charge a fortune because it's a trained wedding dress with beading, And they would make you sign a release absolving them if there are losses or the tulle flalls apart.

As to hand washing, I would be nervous about getting that tulle wet myself.

Hollis

And I wouldn't get that tulle wet. So you might do what you can about the flaws and sell as it is. It's lovely.

 

[thevintagebungalow]

Wow Harriet, that is stunning. I can see why you had to have it. I have to agree with Hollis, you might do more harm than good washing it. I think that it has enough good points to far out weigh the flaws.
Good Luck!
Carrie

 

[Hattysattic]

You're right - it'll go up as is and then hopefully somone else will fall in love and go to the trouble of having it professionally sorted out.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

What a stunning gown! I would leave it as is myself...just too risky to try and cleaners today, yikes!!!!

It would be great just to copy, maybe Vera Wang could use this one for her next collection.

It would be great in a Harry Potter film as a wedding gown too, the stars and the shape of sleeves give it a little of wizardry.