I've recently purchased this lovely dress. It's cotton and apart from a bit of fade is in lovely condition. Normally I would give a cotton dress a gentle handwash but this one has rhinestones dotted all over it and still has intaced interfacing/lining so I'm debating if I just steam and air it? Any thoughts or washing tips welcome. There are some faint brown spots on the bodice lining which I thinkay have come from the rhinestone studs in a previous wash.
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I think it was just my phone being uncooperative hopefully there are now Photos. Close up of studs Whole dress Rust spots? Only visible on lining Stiffened/reinforced bust area.
It's lined in pellon, a papery lining that was popular in the '50s. I would gently handwash in lukewarm water, rinse and dry flat on a towel in the shade. Avoid squeezing or applying too much pressure to the fabric. I routinely wash everything that comes into my collection because you don't know what it contains, even deadstock might have dust, and insect eggs. This dress would also dry clean well. Steaming is good for removing creases and freshens clothing but does not clean.
Yes, they need to be treat carefully but if you don't drag the process out and let them air dry well, you should be fine. I've successfully done dozens like this one. After all, it's probably survived many washes before now because our 1950s grandmothers didn't dry clean a lot of their dresses.
Thankyou for your replies. I normally do wash/ dry clean any vintage I buy but too much Google had me paranoid with this one. Appreciate all the input.
