How to Care for an Adult Princess Costume

A good princess gown should survive more than one ball. Most of the princess costumes we sell are made from polyester, satin, or velvet with trims, ribbons, and sheer sleeves that look wonderful but do not love a washing machine. The good news is that caring for one is mostly common sense, and a few minutes after each wear is all it takes to keep it looking royal.

Start with the care label, not the internet

Every costume is a little different, so the label sewn inside your gown beats any general advice, including ours. Some of our costumes list their care right on the product page. Our kids' Mandalorian costume, for example, says "hand wash with cold water." Others, like the Women's Renaissance Princess Costume with its teal velvet, embroidered ribbon, gold cord trim, and organza drop sleeves, do not list washing instructions, and that is your cue to be gentle and stick to spot cleaning.

If there is no label and no instruction on the page, treat the gown as hand-wash-cold or spot-clean only.

Spot cleaning: your first line of defense

Most costume messes are small: a smudge of makeup on a collar, a splash of punch on a skirt. Dab (never rub) the spot with a cloth dampened in cool water and a drop of mild soap, then blot dry with a clean towel. Rubbing can lift print off satin or fuzz up velvet.

For anything with glued-on gems or sequins, keep water away from the decoration itself and clean around it.

If you must wash the whole gown

Only do this when the label allows it. Fill a tub with cold water, add a small amount of gentle detergent, turn the gown inside out, and swish it around by hand for a few minutes. Rinse until the water runs clear and press (do not wring) the water out with a towel. Wringing twists trims and stretches seams.

Skip the dryer entirely. Hang the gown on a padded hanger or lay it flat on a towel out of direct sun. Heat melts sequins and flattens velvet pile.

Wigs, gloves, and crowns

Accessories usually get grubbier than the dress. Our Princess Peach wig and the straight blue princess wig (a PVC/PET blend) can be gently finger-combed and stored on a stand or in the bag they arrived in so the fibers do not tangle. The blue wig has an adjustable inside pull for fit, and its product page reminds you to wear a wig cap to hold your own hair, which also keeps sweat and hair products off the wig itself.

The long white gloves in our Princess Peach accessory kit are the piece most likely to pick up marks. Hand wash them cold, reshape, and lay flat. The crown headband and stick-on amulet from that same kit should just be wiped with a dry cloth.

One more note: under our refund policy, wigs are not returnable, so unpack and try yours on carefully the first time.

Storing a gown between events

Storage is where most costume damage actually happens:

• Make sure the gown is fully dry before it goes away. Damp fabric in a closed bin is how you get musty smells.
• Hang heavier velvet gowns on a wide padded hanger so the shoulders do not stretch. Lighter satin dresses can be folded loosely with tissue paper between layers.
• Keep it out of sunlight. Bright colors fade fast in a sunny closet.
• Store crowns, gloves, and jewelry in a separate small box so they do not snag the fabric.

Quick fixes before the next party

A loose ribbon or popped thread is a two-minute fix with a needle and matching thread, so keep a small sewing kit in your costume bin. If a dress arrives creased from the box, hang it in the bathroom while you shower; the steam relaxes wrinkles without the risk of an iron on synthetic fabric.

Ready for your next royal outing? Browse our full Princess Costumes and Accessories collection or everything in Women's Costumes. Prices mentioned here are accurate at time of writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I machine wash an adult princess costume?

Only if the care label says so. Most princess gowns use satin, velvet, or organza with trims and glued decorations that a machine can damage. When in doubt, spot clean or hand wash in cold water and let it air dry.

How do I get wrinkles out of a princess costume?

Hang the gown in a steamy bathroom or use a garment steamer on low, keeping it a few inches from the fabric. Avoid ironing synthetic costume fabrics directly, since heat can melt sequins and flatten velvet.

How should I store a costume wig?

Gently finger-comb it, then keep it on a wig stand or in the bag it arrived in, away from heat and sunlight. Wearing a wig cap underneath during use keeps hair products and sweat off the fibers.

Can I return a princess costume or wig if it does not fit?

Costumes can be returned within 30 days of receipt if they are unopened in original packaging and authorized in advance by Customer Service. Wigs are not returnable, so check the size notes on the product page before ordering.