The beauty of vintage clothing is the stories held within the threads of your garment. Sourcing and buying quality vintage clothing is not an easy task, and preserving said clothing is even harder. The standards for clothing creation have changed greatly over the years, and while we may have a larger quantity of clothing produced now in the 21st century, this doesn’t mean that the quality of this clothing is better. Vintage clothing is known for being made with a higher standard of quality with more natural and lasting materials. But, as with everything, vintage clothing is not immune to the trials of time. Beautiful vintage laces will crumble if not carefully preserved, even wool suits will unravel and deteriorate if not properly cared for. At Davis Imperial, we pride ourselves on our ability to restore, clean, and preserve even the most delicate of vintage garments. To avoid ruining your heirloom dresses and vintage finds, we recommend taking special precautions to avoid sun damage and dry rot – the two most notorious killers of all things beautiful and vintage.
Understanding Sun Damage
Sun damage is one of the primary threats to vintage textiles. UV rays form the sun break down the chemical bonds in fibers. Vintage clothes weren’t made with the same petrochemicals today, which makes our garments very difficult to dissolve and break down. This process of sun degradation can cause fading, discoloration, weakening of fibers and texture changes to the garment.
Preventing Sun Damage in Vintage Clothes
But not all hope is lost. Vintage lovers arent bound to staying in dark rooms away from the light of day. If you have garment pieces you wear rather than use just for show, there are work-arounds. One of these is a UV protection spray made specifically to prevent sun damage to garments. Additionally, if you are displaying your garments in a room that gets natural sunlight, you can use UV filtering curtain or blinds to prevent the amount of UV rays that reach the pieces.
We also recommend storing your articles in a cool, dark place. For extremely delicate pieces, we recommend wrapping them in acid-free tissue paper to prevent them from exposure to dust and light.
Understanding Dry Rot
Another notorious silent killer of fine vintage garments is dry rot. Dry rot is a form of decay that is caused by fungi enzyme secretion. Despite the name, dry rot does take a small amount of moisture to trigger the degradation. Over time, the fungi enzymes weaken the fibers of the garment to the point where they eventually disintegrate.
Preventing Dry Rot in Vintage Clothes
To prevent dry rot in your vintage garments, store your piece in a cool, dry environment with controlled temperature and humidity. Ensure good ventilation in storage areas to prevent trapped moisture. Additionally, avoid storing your clothes in sealed plastic bags. Cotton or linen bags offer both ventilation and protection.
Davis Imperial Vintage Garment Care and Restoration
Davis Imperial Cleaners have decades of experience in the meticulous care of couture and vintage garment care, maintenance and restoration. Don’t let the fate of your beloved garments fall victim to the elements; trust in your local professionals to handle your articles.
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