Costumes can sometimes cost a lot of money, or take ages to make. You want to look after them as best as possible, especially if you've bought them as a long term investment and don't use them too often. However, if you are working every week in restaurants etc then things like long term storage shouldn't be such an issue.

Storage is very important for your costumes especially if they are going to be kept that way for a long time. If stored wrongly they can totally be destroyed.

It's harder to store professional heavy beaded dresses than a two piece or other costume pieces like skirts.

Beaded Dresses and Two Pieces:

The best way to store a beaded dress, or a two piece, is in a plastic storage box like the ones in the picture. Why? Because if you hang a heavily beaded dress up or over a hanger the weight of the beads gradually stretches the dress so the next time you put it on you'll find that the once tight slinky dress you used to own is now baggy, stretched and worn. If this dose happen there's no way of fixing it, the best way to deal with it is to convince yourself it's because you've lost weight :o)

Chose transparent boxes because you can see what costume is in each box without having to get them all out. These boxes are usually designed to stack up on to each other so they are compact as well.

Don't put your costume into the plastic box just after you've performed as it will be a bit damp from sweat and you don't want that moisture to be trapped in the boxes with your costume. Let the costume air for a while. If you are extra careful you could maybe stick some silica gel packets you get in shoe boxes in the storage boxes to ensure no damp will ruin your costume.

Also a fantastic bonus to storing you costumes in boxes is that in the same box you can put all the accessories that belong with it. Like arm bands, veils and jewellery (make sure the jewellery is in a little bag or box so it doesn't catch your costume). This way your accessories are less likely to get separated and lost from your costume.

Circle Skirts and Choli Tops:

Unlike heavy beadied costumes these can be stored in your wardrobe on a hanger.   This is great because they can get a good airing in-between wears also hanging them up prevents creases so no need to iron YEA!

However, if your circle skirt belongs to a certain two piece you can keep it together in a box

Coin Belts:

Never ever store coin belts with any of your other costumes they must be stored separately otherwise they will catch and rip your costumes. I recommend also keeping them in plastic boxes like your costumes.

When storing our belts fold them so their coins are all facing inwards

When you dance in your costume, you will sweat. I find, I sweat more when I perform on stage apposed to in restaurants because all of the stage lights are so hot ad right up close. These tips are more for beaded dresses and costumes as things like bolero tops and circle skirts can just be thrown in to the washing machine. Yet still the tips are useful just to stop your self from becoming too sweaty:

You can't really stop your self from sweating but you can help cut it down, here how:

Don't drink too much water before the performance! You'll only sweat it all out! The more you drink the more you sweat. Also constantly wanting to go toilet in your costume isn't good. People say drink plenty so you don't get dehydrated ..... YOU'RE NOT WALKING THE SAHARA DESERT. Smelly costumes you can sort out after the show, but to dance on stage with your lovely hair sticking to your face and big wet patches is something your audiences will not want to see. Do drink a some water early in the morning or the night before because if you don't your sweat will be very strong and pungent. If you drink water the morning before your sweat will very watery and that will not be a problem, because this doesn't make your costumes smell.

Don't use too much deodorant because if your sweat can't come out of your armpits etc.. It only leaves one place...your face! A sweaty, red face is worse than a little under your arms. Use a deodorant that lets your skin breath and even then don't use too much.

Spray a puff of perfume and walk into it just before you get into your costume, this way when you do sweat it just laves your costume smelling of you favourite scent. My costumes smell better than what I do usually, I don't use my Gucci every day. However DO NOT spray perfume onto your costume directly Why? Because it corrodes and takes the colour off of your beads, destroying you costume.

On your period? we cant help it sometimes you have to perform while bleeding. During this time you sweat a lot more and your generally more smelly. It is here where I do something most women don't I wear a two piece or a dress with no sleeves. most chose to cover up because they are to bloated. But wearing a two piece means your armpits are free to sweat with out anyone noticing and without destroying your costume.

How do you clean a beaded dress or two piece. Unfortunately unlike Fifi Abdou we can't all buy a dress and only wear it once. That means we have to clean them. Your costumes don't really need to be cleaned after every use. I (my mum) tend to wash my costumes 3 or 4 times a year. The best method of washing them is by getting luke warm water with only a very, very small bit of washing soap in. Only use a bit of soap otherwise you will be forever trying to get bubbles out. You then use a sponge and slowly sponge your costume. Do not scrub your costume, just lightly push down with the sponge. Don't leave it in the sun to dry: it will fad your dress.

Up keep of your dress in between washes: I think the best way to do this is just to spray things like Fabezze or any other odour remover on your costumes. Do not spray it directly on to the bead as it corrodes them. Put your costume inside out, then spray. Don't do this to often because it isn't too great for your beads but occasionally between washes is ok.

(animations are from Microsoft Office Clip Art)