Care & Wear

Designed for the photographs you'll treasure

Every Cora and Violet dress is handcrafted in our Ohio studio with one purpose in mind: to be part of the moments you'll look back on for years. First birthdays, milestone portraits, family sessions and celebrations. We design each gown for how it will look in a photograph and how it will feel to remember.

That's why our dresses carry the details they do: hand-placed blooms, pearls, lace, layered tulle and delicate trims. These touches give each dress its heirloom look. They are also the reason our dresses are made for occasion and photography wear, not everyday play.

Wearing your dress

We love seeing our dresses twirled, held and photographed. To keep that experience joyful, here's how we recommend wearing yours.

  • A grown-up close by. Please keep your little one with you and in view whenever they're wearing their dress. Our embellishments are small and hand-sewn, so the dress is best enjoyed with an adult nearby.
  • Dress for the moment. Put the dress on just before photos or the celebration, then change into comfortable clothes afterward. Our dresses are not intended for sleep, naps or car seats.
  • Mind the candles. Our dresses are not flame-resistant. Like any special-occasion fabric, tulle and lace should be kept away from open flame and high heat, including birthday candles and fire pits.
  • Cake is welcome. Smash cakes happen. Spills can usually be spot cleaned, so enjoy the moment.

Caring for your dress

With gentle care, your dress can be worn for more than one milestone and passed down to the next little one.

  • Spot clean first. Dab gently with cool water and a soft cloth. Avoid rubbing around embellishments.
  • Hand wash when needed. Hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, then lay flat to dry. Do not machine wash, wring, bleach or tumble dry.
  • Steam, don't press. Most of our fabrics are delicate, so please don't iron. A steamer works best. If you think a fabric can take an iron, test a small area through a towel first, and never iron tulle.
  • Antiqued fabrics. Some fabrics are intentionally antiqued, and shipping can occasionally cause a little color transfer. It's rare, and warm water with a light soap will lift it.
  • Fluffing poms. Our poms are hand-sewn. Fluff them by gently twisting the outermost circles 2–3 times, alternating direction.
  • Natural fibers. With wear, natural fibers can shift and loosen. Give them a little haircut with small scissors, trimming stray fibers bit by bit, and they'll look good as new. (We're talking about you, party hats!)
  • Bow loops. Some designs have a loop at the back waist for the straps to tie into a bow.
  • Store with care. Keep in a breathable cotton garment bag, away from light and humidity. Avoid plastic, which can trap moisture and yellow fabric over time.

We're here for you

If a detail loosens or you have a question about caring for your dress, email us at contact@coraandviolet.com. Each dress was made by our hands, and we're glad to help keep it beautiful.