How to Store a Heavy, Full Costume Skirt Without a Hanger

When a garment hangs, its weight can pull on the waistband, seams and upper sections. Conservation guidance recommends flat storage for heavy, fragile, heavily decorated or bias-cut costumes; National Museums Scotland also cautions against hanging pieces that cannot support their own weight. A full skirt’s volume can make a hanger especially awkward: folds may bunch, the waistband bears the load, or the hem becomes cramped. (Canadian Conservation Institute, “Caring for textiles and costumes”; National Museums Scotland, “How to pack textiles”)

This is a storage method for a wearable costume, not a guarantee that every material or construction can be folded safely. If the skirt is already splitting, has loose trim, delicate surface decoration, a brittle lining or an unusual internal structure, avoid forcing it into a compact shape. Get advice from a textile conservator for a valuable or delicate piece.

Measure the skirt when it is spread out, then choose the largest clean box or drawer that can hold it without tight folds. A shallow under-bed box or wide drawer can work if it is sturdy, clean and kept in a suitable indoor storage area. A box is useful because it protects fabric from dust and limits unnecessary handling; the Canadian Conservation Institute notes that flat storage in a labelled box can also provide physical support. (Canadian Conservation Institute)

Line the base with clean, prewashed cotton sheeting or acid-free tissue. For a valuable garment, use materials specifically intended for textile storage: ordinary paper and cardboard can become acidic and may transfer damaging acidity to textiles. The Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute recommends neutral-pH, unbuffered acid-free tissue for general costume storage and notes that buffered tissue may be unsuitable for silk or wool. If you do not know the skirt’s fibre, unbuffered tissue is the more cautious paper choice. (Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, “Acid Free Tissue Paper for Textiles & Costume Storage & Handling”)

Work on a clean, broad surface with enough room to spread the skirt. Empty pockets and remove detachable accessories or hard items that might press into the fabric. Fasten existing closures gently so loose parts do not catch, and check that the skirt is dry and free of visible debris. For an heirloom or fragile textile, do not attempt an aggressive cleaning first: conservation guidance warns that museum textiles cannot necessarily be cleaned like everyday clothing. (Canadian Conservation Institute)

If the skirt has a separate hoop, petticoat or other removable support, store that part separately if its construction allows. Do not press or flatten boning, hoops, wired trim or built-in supports to make the garment fit. Instead, select a larger container or seek a suitable custom support if the structure prevents flat storage.

Arrange the skirt in its natural shape, keeping pleats or gathers aligned where possible. Spread the fabric across the box rather than piling it into a tight bundle. If the skirt will not fit without folding, make only the folds needed to fit the container, preferably along existing seams or natural construction lines. Put soft rolls of acid-free tissue or clean, soft cotton fabric inside each fold so the crease is rounded rather than sharp. The Canadian Conservation Institute recommends padding folds to prevent tight creases; its examples include acid-free tissue, cotton sheeting and knit tubing stuffed with polyester fibre. (Canadian Conservation Institute)

For a wide skirt, work from the sides toward the center in broad folds, adding padding wherever fabric bends. Do not use a hard roll that presses a ridge into the fabric, and do not pack the padding so tightly that the skirt is stretched or compressed. The goal is to support the shape and soften unavoidable folds, not to make the box as small as possible.

Keep the skirt in a single layer where you can. If the skirt must be folded over itself, place tissue or clean cloth between layers and make sure the fabric is not caught under the box lid. Avoid stacking other costumes or heavy objects on top. Both the Smithsonian’s home textile guidance and the Canadian Conservation Institute caution against crushing flat-stored textiles with heavier items. (Smithsonian Institution, “How do I store antique textiles at home?”; Canadian Conservation Institute)

A loose cover of clean cotton or suitable protective material can help shield the skirt from dust. Store the closed container somewhere clean, dry, dark and away from drastic temperature or humidity changes. The Smithsonian advises against attics and basements for antique textile storage because conditions there may fluctuate. (Smithsonian Institution)

Label the box so you can identify the skirt without opening it repeatedly. When you do inspect it, check that the container is dry, the padding has not shifted, and the skirt is not bearing pressure from anything above. If you notice a new crease, snag, musty odor, insect activity or fabric damage, remove pressure and reassess the storage conditions. For a valuable costume with active damage or a complex structure, ask a textile conservator how it should be supported.

A practical final check is to lift the skirt by its support layer or move the box with help if it is large and heavy. The National Park Service advises using two people to transport costumes on support boards or lift them from storage boxes. (National Park Service, “Appendix K: Curatorial Care of Textile Objects”) The skirt should rest evenly, stay uncompressed, and come out without tugging on the waist or trim.

• Canadian Conservation Institute, “Caring for textiles and costumes”
• National Museums Scotland, “How to pack textiles”
• Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, “Acid Free Tissue Paper for Textiles & Costume Storage & Handling”
• Smithsonian Institution, “How do I store antique textiles at home?”
• National Park Service, “Appendix K: Curatorial Care of Textile Objects”