How to Care for Holiday Outfits: Velvet, Sequins & Silk

Holiday Wardrobe Ready: How to Keep Your Festive Outfits Fresh

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Janay Dsouza

The lights are twinkling, the invitations are rolling in, and the back of your closet is calling for its moment to shine. The end of the year is filled with celebrations, from cozy family dinners to glitzy New Year’s parties, and that means it’s time to sport your festive best. Bust out those velvet blazers, sequined gowns, and delicate silk blouses, because it’s time to give them the star treatment they’ve always deserved. 

Here’s how to keep every sparkle, shimmer, and soft fold looking flawless all season long.

More Holiday Help: How to Remove Salt Stains from Winter Boots and Clothing 

Caring for Delicate Fabrics

Holiday attire often means luxurious materials like silk, satin, chiffon, and lace. These fabrics bring elegance but also demand gentle care. Always check your garment’s care label before washing. If it says “dry clean only,” that’s your cue to bring it to Dependable Cleaners, where gentle, eco-friendly solvents will protect your delicate outfits from damage. 

For washable delicate fabrics:

  • Use cold water and a mild detergent.
  • Hand wash or use a mesh laundry bag on your machine’s delicate cycle.
  • Avoid wringing or twisting. Gently press out excess water instead.
  • Air dry flat or hang on padded hangers to prevent stretching.

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure about a fabric’s washability, spot-test a little detergent on a hidden seam first, or save yourself the stress and let the pros handle it.

Keeping Sequins & Sparkles Stunning

Sequins, beads, and embellishments catch the light beautifully, but they can also catch on everything else. Avoid machine washing or rough handling, which can loosen threads and cause snags. Instead, spot-clean small areas with a mild detergent and cold water, dabbing gently with a clean cloth.

If your piece is heavily decorated or intricate, professional cleaning is usually your safest bet. The experts know exactly how to preserve ornate detailing without dulling shine or damaging threadwork — plus, Dependable Cleaners will inspect your garment and make small repairs free of charge

Smart Storage: Always hang sequined garments on wide, padded hangers or store them flat between layers of tissue paper to avoid creases and pressure marks.

Velvet: The Holiday MVP

Few fabrics say “holiday glamor” like velvet, but it’s also one of the trickiest to care for. Never iron velvet directly; instead, use a steamer to gently lift wrinkles and revive the pile. If you get a spill, blot immediately with a soft, absorbent cloth. Don’t rub, as this can crush the texture.

Between wears, let velvet adequately breathe. Store it hanging in a spacious closet so the fabric’s nap stays plush. For cleaning, professional dry cleaning is ideal to restore velvet’s rich luster without flattening or distorting the fabric.  

Refresh Between Celebrations

If you’re wearing your holiday favorites multiple times this season, freshen them up between events. A light steaming helps release wrinkles and remove mild odors. Hanging garments in a well-ventilated space for 24 hours post-event also keeps them fresh. And speaking of fresh, we know you want to feel your cleanest during celebrations, but you should still avoid over-washing special garments. Too many cleanings (even gentle ones) can wear down delicate fibers. 

For pieces that have picked up scents from parties or dinner — like smoke or food — Dependable’s eco-friendly cleaning process can neutralize odors without harsh chemicals.

Delicate Garment Care You Can Depend On

When the season is full of shimmering lights and calendars covered in social plans, the last thing you need is wardrobe stress. Dependable Cleaners is your go-to for keeping festive outfits picture-perfect. Our knowledgeable team understands the nuances of sequins, velvet, lace, and everything in between, and our satisfaction guarantee means your clothes come back looking better than ever.

So, whether it’s a statement dress for New Year’s Eve or your favorite velvet jacket, Dependable is ready to help you shine. 

Call us today at 303-777-2673, or visit one of our convenient Denver area locations.