Vintage Clothing Storage: Preserving the Northwest’s Retro Fashion
Besides rain, the Northwest is best known among fashion enthusiasts as a hub for vintage clothing. Whether you’re looking for authentic band tees, designer gear, or artisan imports, there are dozens of vintage shops scattered throughout the region to ensure there’s attire fit for everyone’s taste.
If you enjoy collecting pieces of clothing, chances are your closet tends to fill up. If you lack an additional closet to keep overcoats in the summer and mini dresses in the winter, devising a clothing storage solution is the way to go. Follow these steps to help your vintage clothes stay in good condition for years to come.
Vintage Style Clothing Storage Ideas
A lot more goes into caring for vintage clothing than non-fashion connoisseurs may realize. Storage options that may be standard procedure for other articles of clothing could damage these pieces if you aren’t careful.
How To Hang Vintage Clothes in Storage
The number one faux pas you can make when storing vintage clothing is to use wire hangers. If you plan on hanging items for extended periods, these hangers can stretch out the shoulders of your garment, possibly leading to tears in the fabric from stretching, and the hooks can get caught on other clothes. Additionally, wire hangers can leave behind rust stains.
In place of wire or wooden hangers, create padded hangers using a plastic hanger as a base. Be sure your hanger isn’t too wide and is the same shape as the clothing in question, then wrap the hanger in cotton batting and washed, lightweight cotton fabric, like muslin. Lengthy or heavy items should be supported at the waist via a loop of twill tape attached to the hanger. Hanging bags made of cotton fabric are a smart way to protect garments from damage, but avoid using any plastic bags, which can trap moisture and may react chemically to the clothing item.
Can I Use Storage Bins for Clothing?
While hanging up any vintage clothing you put into storage is generally recommended, you may not have the space to do so. Storing your clothing flat in boxes may benefit fragile clothes that would otherwise stretch out hanging on racks. We advise using acid-free boxes, but if you must adapt what bins or chests you already own, line them carefully with washed cotton fabric.
Do not fold your items in storage when possible, which could lead to long-term creasing. However, if you must fold, place rolled-up, acid-free tissue paper in the folds. Use the same tissue paper to cover any metal parts. Once everything has been put into boxes, you may close them up, but do not seal them airtight, as air circulation will help prevent mildew.
Make Room for More Fashion at Daffodil Storage
Have your closets reached maximum capacity? You can find secure space for your valuable clothing items at Daffodil Storage. We offer personal storage solutions throughout Puget Sound, including heated storage to help prevent moisture condensation from damaging your clothes during winter.
To discover your newest walk-in closet, rent with Daffodil Storage at a location near you today. If you have any questions, see our FAQ page!