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Dress alteration - of course I thought my boobs would fit!
Disclaimer: I'm an idiot.
I ordered a dress for my brother's wedding. I went ahead and ordered my usual size for this brand (in navy--that champagne colour is pretty bad). The dress arrived and I was relieved that I could zip it up past my bust and breathe quite comfortably! The only thing that bugs me is how short the torso is on this dress. If I had less boob occupying all the vertical and horizontal space, I'm pretty sure the bodice would fit better. This is where I hope to get some ideas from the ladies here with experience in altering clothing. It would honestly be perfect if I could drop the bodice about 1 inch. Given the design on the straps and the overall design of the dress, what are some ways I could lengthen the strap area? Where's a good place to insert the extra fabric? Should I alter the neckline and change up the straps? My seamstress is quite handy--she can do pretty much anything, but I want to have an idea of what I would ask her to do before I make the trip to see her.
I'm kinda running out of time for an exchange and the cost of returning this dress is probably going to offset half the refund amount not to mention I'm out on the duties I paid to get it here (yay Canada).
Any thoughts on this from those of you who are blessed with some alteration skill and know-how?
TS Couture® Knee-length Chiffon and Satin Dress
http://www.lightinthebox.com/a-line-princess-sweetheart-straps-short-mini-chi...
Filed under Clothes
8 comments
My first advice (that I often do myself) is turning it into a halterneck.. but on this particular dress that would also mean fairly significant alterations to the (pretty!) V shaped back..
One easy way would be to add a (matching, or contrasting colour if you prefer) wide ribbon closure at the shoulders. Then you can self-tie and adjust the strap length, varying for different occasions. And match the ribbon colour with your shoes for example 😊
Keep in mind that lengthening the straps will in turn also lower the neckline - if you (and the wedding) are okay with cleavage that's fine of course (:
A more complicated way to add length to the bodice (without lowering the neckline) would be to add an inch of fabric to the waistband. Again, in a similar fabric + colour or contrasting? Or hidden under a belt. A skilled seamstress could do that, but it also means adding a new zipper (as the zipper length would also increase).
If you want longer straps but not more bust exposure: adding some fabric along the upper bust line - while also lengthening the straps - *could* also work, but looking at the dress (multiple fabrics, v neck) it may not be your best option 🤔
Hope this helps,
Good luck!
Pretty dress, Gemmy ! bubblegum has some ingenious suggestions. I hope one of those works for you.
I just want to thank the heavens I don't live in Canada. All of us in the US should thank the heavens we don't have Canada's ridiculous customs fee threshold. Forty Canadian dollars kicks the protectionist money grubbers into action. What is this, 1881?
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