How to Store Band T-Shirts Long Term

Wash before storing, fold instead of hang, and keep in acid-free conditions, your vintage tour shirt will thank you in 20 years.

Storage Best Practices

• Always wash before storing - Body oils and sweat degrade fabric over time, even if the shirt looks clean
• Fold, don't hang - Hanging stretches necklines and shoulders, especially on heavier vintage tees
• Use acid-free tissue paper - Place between shirts to prevent prints from sticking together or transferring
• Choose breathable containers - Fabric bins or acid-free boxes work best; avoid airtight plastic bins that trap moisture

What to Avoid

• Damp basements or hot attics (temperature and humidity extremes)
• Direct sunlight (fades prints and fabric)
• Plastic bags (trap moisture and cause yellowing)
• Overcrowded storage (causes permanent creasing)

For Valuable or Vintage Shirts

Consider archival garment boxes designed for textile storage. Worth the investment for rare or irreplaceable tour shirts.

Display Instead of Store

If you have shirts you love but rarely wear, frame them using t-shirt display frames. You get to enjoy them without the wear and tear.

Further Reading

• How to preserve concert posters
• How to preserve old concert tickets
• Best gifts for concert lovers

Pair Your Collection With Documentation

The Concerts Remembered Journal lets you document the shows where you got those shirts, so the story stays with the souvenir.

→ Shop the Concert Journal