How to Wash a Dress: Questions Answered

This FAQ covers exactly how to care for, wash, and dry AYM garments, and is written for buyers looking to protect their investment pieces. The answers below explain how to safely clean dresses designed with built-in support, fully lined interiors, phone-deep pockets, and smoothing fabrics. You can view the specific styles mentioned in this care guide by visiting our main collection of Dresses.

General Washing & Maintenance

How do I wash a dress?

You can safely machine wash an AYM dress on a cool, gentle cycle using a mild laundry detergent. Because these garments are designed as practical, wearable pieces for everyday life and special occasions, they are entirely machine washable and do not require expensive dry cleaning. Turn the garment inside out before placing it in the washing machine to protect the exterior fabric from friction, which helps maintain the finish of the material over time. Avoid using bleach, harsh stain removers, or fabric softeners during the wash cycle. Fabric softeners leave a residue that coats the fibers, which can trap odors and permanently degrade the elastic properties of the sculpting fabrics.

Can I machine wash a dress with built-in support without damaging it?

Yes, you can machine wash an AYM dress with built-in support without damaging the internal bralette structure. These dresses are engineered to provide genuine support without the need for a separate bra, and the internal construction is robust enough to withstand a standard gentle machine cycle. To provide extra protection for the supportive elements, place the dress inside a mesh laundry bag before washing. The mesh bag prevents the internal bands and structured seams from catching on other garments or the drum of the washing machine. Keeping the wash temperature cool also ensures the elastic in the built-in bra retains its tension and recovery, so the garment continues to offer full support wear after wear.

Are there special care steps to protect pockets or multi-way features when washing?

Turn dresses with phone-deep pockets inside out and loosely knot any multi-way styling straps together before putting them in the washing machine. Securing the long ties on pieces like the Taylor Adjustable Waist Midi Tea Dress prevents them from tangling with other clothes, stretching out, or wrapping around the machine agitator during the spin cycle. Emptying the deep pockets completely and washing the garment inside out ensures that the pocket linings do not bunch up, collect debris, or pull at the side seams. Because these pieces are designed for repeat wear, protecting the functional details during the wash ensures the straps remain fully intact for different styling configurations.

Fabric Performance & Longevity

Will washing affect the smoothing or sculpting fabric in these dresses?

Washing will not affect the smoothing or sculpting fabric in an AYM dress as long as you use cold water and avoid liquid fabric softeners. The thick, high-quality materials used in styles like the Bourne Bodycon Midi Dress rely on specific elastic properties to smooth the silhouette without requiring separate shapewear. Exposing these structural fibers to hot water or the high heat of a tumble dryer breaks down their elasticity, causing the fabric to lose its tension. Chemical fabric softeners also relax the fibers, which diminishes the sculpting effect. Sticking to a cool, chemical-free wash cycle preserves the fabric's integrity so it continues to offer a structured, smoothing fit.

How can I keep a dress looking new after multiple washes without fading or stretching?

You can keep an AYM dress looking new after multiple washes by washing it inside out in cold water and laying it flat to dry completely. Deep, rich colors like the Deep Black, Forest Green, and Merlot Red available in the Taylor Adjustable Waist Maxi Dress retain their dye much longer when kept away from hot water and washing machine friction. Tumble dryers are the primary cause of both color fading and fabric stretching, as the aggressive tumbling pulls at the fibers while the high heat dulls the dye. By washing on cold and avoiding the dryer entirely, you protect the high-quality UK production standards of the garment, ensuring your piece lasts through multiple life stages without losing its original proportions or vibrant color.

Drying & Shape Retention

How do I dry a lined dress to keep its shape and opacity?

Dry a fully lined AYM dress by laying it flat on a clean, dry towel or a mesh drying rack away from direct heat and sunlight. Our dresses feature thick, double-layered linings designed to be completely opaque so nothing is needed underneath, which means the garments hold a significant amount of water and become heavy when wet. Hanging a wet lined dress on a standard hanger forces the fabric to bear all that water weight, which pulls the garment downward and stretches it out of shape. Stretching out the wet fabric also thins the material, which permanently compromises the opacity of the dress. Laying the piece flat supports the entire weight of the double lining, allowing it to dry evenly while maintaining its exact size, shape, and coverage.

Where to go next

Explore our complete collection of ethically made Dresses to find pieces featuring built-in bras, phone-deep pockets, and fully lined fabrics across our XXS to 3XL size range. If you need further assistance with garment care, specific sizing questions, or styling advice, please reach out to our customer service team through the contact page on our website.