Sequins, Velvet and Embellished Clothing

FASHION · GLOBAL

Sequins, Velvet and Embellished Clothing

How these fabrics behave, cleaning them, storing and wearing them comfortably

Occasion fabrics look expensive and are the least forgiving things in a wardrobe to clean and store.

How sequins behave

Sequins are plastic discs stitched or glued to a base fabric. They scratch each other, catch on everything, and dissolve or distort in heat and some solvents, which is why the care label is usually restrictive.

Glued sequins are the ones that shed. Check by looking at the reverse — stitched sequins show thread.

Velvet

A pile fabric, so it marks where it is crushed and shows every pressure line. Cotton and silk velvet crush most; polyester velvet recovers better and looks flatter.

Hang velvet rather than folding it, and never sit for hours in a crushed position if you can avoid it — although at a party you will.

Cleaning

Follow the label, and for anything embellished use a cleaner who handles occasion wear. Spot clean gently with a barely damp cloth, working outwards from a mark.

Never iron sequins or velvet directly. Steam velvet from the reverse, hanging, and hold the steamer away from the surface.

Storing

On a padded hanger, in a breathable cover, with tissue between embellished layers so sequins do not abrade each other. Not compressed between other garments.

Buying occasion wear

Work out the cost per wear honestly. Hiring, resale platforms and buying second-hand all put better quality within reach for something worn once or twice.

Order early enough to try, return and reorder, since occasion sizing is unpredictable.

Underwear and foundation

A dress is only as good as what is underneath it. Seamless underwear, the right bra and a slip solve most of the problems people blame on the dress.

Repairs

Keep any spare sequins or beads supplied, and have a loose hem or a failed zip fixed rather than retiring the garment.

Fabric and comfort

Check the lining, since unlined sequins scratch and unlined velvet clings. A dress that is comfortable in a changing room for two minutes may not be after five hours of sitting and dancing.

Sit down, raise your arms and walk before deciding.

Storing between wears

Hang on a padded hanger in a breathable cover, away from light, and deal with marks before storing rather than after.

Check for missing sequins and a working zip a week before, not on the day.

Keep the receipt and tags until you have tried it on properly at home.

Wearing them comfortably

A slip or lining underneath, since sequin backing scratches skin badly over an evening.

Check for missing sequins before an event, since matching them later is difficult.

WHERE TO BUY

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