Your wedding lehenga was the one outfit that you spent years dreaming about. It took months to get the right outfit for you to wear on your special day.
More importantly, it took the designer and the artisans months of painstaking labour to create this masterpiece. So, it is natural to wonder if you are storing it right.
It is that one outfit that you would like to preserve for a long time, and that may seem like a daunting task.
Read on to learn more about the top tips for storing this expensive ensemble
Clean and condition:
The very step to preserving your bridal lehenga for a long time is to send it out for dry cleaning as soon as the wedding is done, preferably the very next day.
Lehengas with a lot of embroideries, zari, beading, and gota work may not show signs of wear and tear, but sweat, damp grass, and food can easily damage the fabric or leave stains.
These need to be removed quickly. Also, know about the composition of your bridal lehenga as designers like Anita Dongre use raw silk and natural dyes in their ensembles.
Ask your designer or dry cleaner for the best products to gently clean and condition your dream outfit.
Repairing and ironing:
During the course of the wedding, the lehenga may have caught on to some object or piece of jewellery, leading to small rips or blemishes in the embroidery.
Check with your designer if they can help repair these or recommend a professional to mend it. Ironing a lehenga is a daunting task, so it is best to seek professional help.
A handheld steam iron may be the best way to accomplish this. Once ironed and folded, your lehenga is ready to be stored.
Bag and box:
Your lehenga designer will help you pick the right bag and box to store your bridal outfit. Check the material of the bag – some may recommend cotton, while others may prefer silk.
Again, some designers recommend that you store the lehenga, choli, and dupatta in separate bags but box them together. You may want to add specific additives for keeping the fabric smelling fresh, but take advise on this from your designer.
Storing:
Your wedding lehenga box should be stored away from heat and direct sunlight. Ensure your wardrobe is not damp and free from insects and critters.
Like all delicate outfits, your wedding lehenga needs to be aired out every 2-3 months. This should also give you a good opportunity to wear this much-loved outfit.
How to store the wedding sherwani?
A designer wedding sherwani is just as elegant and delicate as a lehenga. It is certainly easier to store because it is lighter and takes up less space. It does, however, need the same amount of care and effort as the bridal outfit.
Sherwanis are typically made from silk and worn with silk or cotton trousers. Some may be styled with a cotton or muslin kurta, dupattas, and safa or headgear.
Each of these need to be inspected for stains and repaired if necessary. They need to be dry-cleaned with gentle products.
Like the lehenga, they must be ironed, folded, and stored in separate boxes for long-term preservation. Your wedding sherwani also needs to be aired and worn every few months.
Follow these simple steps and make your wedding outfits sustainable so that you can cherish them forever.
