Wrinkle-free packing?

October 24, 2005 10:15 AM

I am getting ready to fly out to be in my sister's wedding. How should I pack the bridesmaid dress so as to best prevent wrinkles and so on?
posted by jenfu to home & garden (9 comments total)

What sort of material is the dress? Some of those bridesmaids dresses are that thick taffeta shiny crap that might wrinkle a little, and then steam out in a steamy bathroom.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:17 AM on October 24, 2005 [1 favorite has favorites]

It's that shiny stuff, not sure what type of shiny stuff, though.
posted by jenfu at 10:32 AM on October 24, 2005

I would think if you roll the dress in your suitcase, that would help.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:42 AM on October 24, 2005 [1 favorite has favorites]

Is it the slippery shiny stuff, like satin or charmeuse? If you have a hanging bag, make certain to affix the straps to the hanger so that they don't slip off during travel. If you're lucky, you might be on a plane where they'll hang it up front for you, rather than forcing you to cram it into the overhead.

When you get to where you're going, use the steam-out method TPS recommends. Try to avoid at all costs ironing it, and if you must, iron it inside-out on low.

If you don't have a hanging bag, my recommendation is that you fold it very loosely into thirds, using layers of tissue paper between the folds so as to keep it somewhat "fluffy." When you get there, follow the same instructions.
posted by veronica sawyer at 10:46 AM on October 24, 2005

Folding loosely with tissue paper worked for me last month with my shiny maid of honor dress. Then I hung it up in the bathroom to let the steam help any residual wrinkles drop out.
posted by scody at 10:51 AM on October 24, 2005

If you're hanging it, use one of those slippery plastic bags from the dry cleaners. Things get wrinkled when packed because they are pressed against the stuff around them which holds the fabric in (the wrinkled) position. If it can slide past the stuff around it, this doesn't happen.
posted by winston at 11:02 AM on October 24, 2005

The last time I traveled with a fancy dress, I packed it in a garment bag on a hanger and carried it on the plane. The flight attendants let me hang it in a special coat compartment at the front of the plane. Just don't forget to collect it when you deplane! I forgot my dress and had to double back for it, stressful!
posted by bonheur at 11:35 AM on October 24, 2005

What bonheur said, and just in case, scope out a 1hr drycleaner in the area.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 12:27 PM on October 24, 2005

When I got married, the bridal shop where I bought the gown steamed it for me the day before the ceremony. I realize you're out of town, but if your sister bought her gown at a shop in the same town as the wedding, call them and ask if they will steam it once you arrive, even if for a small fee. They SHOULD do it out of the goodness of their hearts for her spending $$$ on her gown there, but may not be willing.
posted by GaelFC at 2:24 PM on October 24, 2005