bought this dress in sale... do I dare wash it?

[paddingtonbear1]

It's this one:

dress

It looks a bit dull in the pic but I really like it on, and wore it last night when friends came round. Then I realised it was dry clean only. doh!! Too late now, I've already worn it. Not sure whether to risk washing or not. It was massively reduced (was at the non sale price), but even so I don't want to ruin it!

silk/cotton, i'd handwash, cool.

I hate dry clean only stuff.

Trouble is, when you've spent that much money, I always feel it's a risk not sending it to the dry cleaners.

I have to say that I would probably risk hand washing it, though.

I really like that. It's very Tenko

In a good way

I think it is gorgeous, I would dry-clean it.

Oooh too risky. You must have it dry cleaned. You'll never forgive yourself if it's ruined.

I really really like the dress, I keep opening the link and I see they have it in my size. Still a bit too expensive for me though, but I think I would wear it a lot.
Really trying hard not to buy it.

Message withdrawn

Yes cod, I thought prisoner cell block h, but I really want it now

the pic on the website doesn't do it justice at all - if I'd just seen that I wouldn't have gone for it - even the colour looks wrong!
never had anything of that make before but it's beautifully made. I might risk hand washing it, but am more inclined to dry clean atm.

paddington, is it quite dressy on or could you get away with wearing it every day?

it's quite smart but because of the style, you could just wear it in the day. I'm planning to

I have one black dress that I wear all summer. I may have to invest in a new one, and i think if you are wearing it often then it is good value for money.

Can I just ask another question about hte dress. Is the sizing quite generous? Would I have to buy a size bigger or smaller or is it just standard?

I am a dry cleaner but we also do alot of washing. If I could see the dress I could tell you def yes or no(obv not much help) but I would say it depends ENTIRELY how good at washing you are. There is a definate knack to washing something that says dry clean only and it surviving.

these are a few tips.

1. use a liquid detergent
2. dont use too hot water
3. add softener in rinse
4. spin it gently in a machine(very wet clothes can completely stretch out of shape)

1. hang up straight away and smooth out..Ideally in front of a fan and iron when damp.

p.s silk is inclined to shrink which quite often means the top layer shrinks and the lining hangs out which can ruin the look of a lovely dress

if you know all this please feel free to ignore

lazarou sorry I had to go out!
I would say the sizing is quite generous. I'm a 12 and I did get a 12, as that's all there was, but it is a bit large on the chest - and I'm not small! If you're inbetween sizes I'd say go smaller. hth!

widgypog thanks for the info. I hardly have anything dry cleaned atm as I don't need to wear suits for work, and if the label says you can't wash I tend not to buy - slipped up in this case! I do love the dress though.
I did wash some trousers which said dry clean only - they did survive. I used gentle detergent, and a cold wash (where it says silk/wool on my machine).
hmmm.. if it was 100% silk I wouldn't try it, but since it's 73% cotton (and no lining) I might risk it.

Is it lined? If so you'd better dry clean it, or it will shrink and the lining will show (this has happened to me, I hate dry cleaning too). If not lined, a silk/cotton mix is all natural fibres, so there's no reason why you shouldn't wash it carefully like Widgypog suggested.
Also, iron while damp, with a cloth under the iron to stop the iron making it shiny.
I wonder if the lacing might shrink in the wash and that is why they have advised dry cleaning, perhaps you'd better take the lacing out for washing.

penguina I love your name! No it's not lined, or I don't think I'd risk it. I think I will try what widgypog suggested. And good point about the lacing! I'll take that out first.

TBH paddington..lots of people come in with riuned dresses that we know marks won't come out in dry cleaning and we offer hand wash at their risk..alot of people freak at this suggestion becuase in reality they cant wash things that actually are washable.Really in 10 years of experience I haven't actually ruined anything that we have washed for a customer that was dry clean only. I will add that it will shorten its life washing it and it will look more crumpled and 'worn' if you wash it. Dry cleaning is much gentler and will preserve an item for longer. HTH!!
If you do get it D/cleaned just ask for it to go in a basic load not a delicate whuch is what they may offer as it will be fine and will be cheaper