Pear Tree Clothing Alterations
Care Journal · September 2026 · 5 min read
A wedding dress spends months being prepared for one day, and then usually goes into a closet in whatever bag it came home in. That is where most of the damage happens — not on the dance floor, but in the years that follow.
Here is how to put a gown away so it is still beautiful when someone takes it out again.
Have it cleaned soon — even if it looks clean
Champagne, cake, perspiration and body oils are often invisible on the night. Over time, the sugars in those spills oxidize and turn yellow or brown, and by then they are much harder to remove. Take the gown to a dry cleaner experienced with bridal wear within a few weeks of the wedding, and point out the hem, the underarms and anywhere you remember a spill.
Choose breathable storage, never plastic
Plastic garment bags and sealed plastic boxes trap moisture, and trapped moisture yellows fabric and invites mildew. Store the dress in a breathable cotton or muslin bag, or folded in an acid-free box with acid-free tissue between the folds and inside the bodice.
- Pad every fold with acid-free tissue so creases do not become permanent.
- Do not hang a heavy gown by its shoulder straps for years — the weight of the skirt stretches them. Use the inner hanging loops, or store it flat.
- Keep it away from cardboard, wood and colored tissue, which can transfer acid or dye.
What Florida humidity changes
Attics, garages and outdoor storage units swing between heat and humidity through the year — the worst possible place for silk, satin and lace. Keep the gown inside the air-conditioned part of the house, in a closet on an interior wall, away from windows and direct light.
Once a year, open the box or bag, check for spots or discoloration, and refold along slightly different lines.
When to bring it to us
- Beads, buttons or lace came loose during the wedding.
- The hem or bustle was torn on the dance floor.
- You want to adapt the gown for a daughter, a vow renewal or a new piece made from it.
- An older gown shows weakened seams or discoloration and you would like an honest assessment.
Every garment is assessed in person at our Lakewood Ranch atelier, and the assessment is complimentary.