What to do with a wedding dress in storage

A wedding dress sits in a closet for years because nobody wants to be the one who throws it out. It is also a piece of clothing with a fabric, a size, a cleaning history and a lot of feelings attached. Deal with the condition first, then the resale or donation question.

Open it in good light, not in a hurry

Take it out of the bag and look at the hem, underarms, bodice and train. Yellowing along the fold lines and brown spots near the hem are common. Check the beading and lace for rot, and smell the bag before you decide anything.

Read the label. Silk, rayon, polyester and blends all clean differently. Do not spot-treat with household stain remover, and do not iron it. You can vacuum the bag, but leave the dress alone until a cleaner sees it.

Cleaning changes the options

A wedding dress cleaner will tell you whether the stains are old sugar, oil or oxidation. Ask for the price before they start and ask what happens if a stain does not come out. A clean dress in a current size can be consigned. A yellowed dress with mildew is a textile recycling job.

If the dress was cleaned and boxed years ago, open the box. Acid-free boxes are not permanent, and plastic windows trap moisture. A dress that smells musty needs air and a cleaner, not another season in the attic.

Consignment is picky about style and size

Bridal consignment shops want dresses that are clean, fairly recent, and close to a standard size. Alterations that took it down two sizes make it harder to sell. Call first and ask what they are taking this month.

Photos help. Take full-length shots front and back, close-ups of the label, the train and any damage. Do not expect a quick sale. A dress can sit for a year, and some shops only take it on certain days.

Donation and reuse

• A bridal charity that resells to raise money
• A theater group or costume shop
• A church or community closet
• A textile recycler for a ruined dress
• A local art or fashion program

If you keep it, store it better than last time

Use an acid-free box and tissue, not a plastic garment bag. Fold it loosely, pad the shoulders and train, and keep it in a cool, dry closet. Do not hang a heavy dress on a wire hanger for years; the straps stretch and the seams pull.

The rest of the wedding box

Shoes, veil, invitations, cake topper and a dried bouquet are a separate decision. Keep a small box of the things that tell the story and photograph the rest. Do not keep a whole rubber bin because you feel guilty about one napkin.

The mistake I see is waiting for a daughter or niece to want it. Ask now, and ask plainly. If the answer is no, that is your answer, and the dress can go to someone who will use it.