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Mary
Dedicated July 2019

Changing/altering Wedding Dress to Mermaid Shape

Mary, on January 3, 2019 at 3:57 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 2 14

I've read so many discouraging posts on this so I needed to get this out there for others who were in the same boat as me. In August I purchased a dress that I LOVEEEED. I loved everything about it. I would say it's more of a sheath-style. But later on, I started having some regret and wishing I'd gone more mermaid. So I started searching online forums and sites all over the internet to see if altering a sheath to a mermaid is possible and was totally discouraged. Sooooo many sites and forums said things like "if it's your dream dress than why isn't it the shape you want? just buy a mermaid dress.," etc. I was really frustrated. Then I took it upon myself to try two different petticoats underneath my dress, which gave it a total mermaid shape. I ended up deciding not to wear a petticoat but had my seamstress take the dress in behind the knee to give it more of the shape I was looking for. And now I love my dress even more. I will post pictures after my final dress fitting of the before and after so people can see what I'm talking about. But I wanted to post this for others in case they are discouraged looking through wedding forums on the internet that are all negative and saying you can't alter an A-line or a sheath dress to be mermaid----because it definitely is doable.

14 Comments

Latest activity by Michael, on February 13, 2023 at 6:18 PM
  • Brae
    VIP September 2019
    Brae ·
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    That's great Mary! My dress is trumpet, so it has a similar shape. I look forward to seeing your dress!
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  • Mary
    Dedicated July 2019
    Mary ·
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    Will do! Smiley smile Final fitting is in April.

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  • S
    Devoted December 2018
    Sarah ·
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    So I thought the dress I bought was a mermaid (it was several sizes to big). Bridal shop described it as a mermaid, and clipped it as such. Realized when it came in and had all the tags attached that it was actually an a-line dress. I figured since it looked great clipped like a mermaid it would look great altered that way. Alteration were nothing out of the ordinary and it looked great and like a mermaid dress. It is possible!
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  • Mary
    Dedicated July 2019
    Mary ·
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    Yes! It is!!! Thanks for sharing. Smiley smile

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  • Kimberly
    Just Said Yes August 2014
    Kimberly ·
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    I would love to see the pictures! I have this same concern at the moment. I purchased my dress three weeks ago and it's described as mermaid but actually fits more like a sheath. I love everything about the dress except for the fact that it's not as snug around my hips or under my bottom as I would like for it to be. Everyone is cautioning against having it taken in around those areas and are saying that it would be hard for me to walk. One consultant said I could have butt darts put in, whatever that is?? She said that's probably the most I could do though to get more of the fit I'm hoping for. I'm hoping that your transformation pics will give me more hope that I can get the look I want out of the dress I bought!
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  • Nicaita
    Just Said Yes June 2022
    Nicaita ·
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    Hi, did you post the pictures of what your dress now looks like ? I’d love to get mine altered to more of a mermaid shape !!
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  • Mary
    Dedicated July 2019
    Mary ·
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    Hi! I didn't but will now. Smiley smile

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  • Mary
    Dedicated July 2019
    Mary ·
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    Ugh it's saying my photos are too large to post here. Will try and figure out how to bring the size down and post.

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  • Mary
    Dedicated July 2019
    Mary ·
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    Ok, kind of hard to see but here are the "after" pics...after my seamstress altered the dress so it would come in at the knee to give more of a mermaid shape.

    Changing/altering Wedding Dress to Mermaid Shape 1


    Changing/altering Wedding Dress to Mermaid Shape 2

    Changing/altering Wedding Dress to Mermaid Shape 3

    Changing/altering Wedding Dress to Mermaid Shape 4

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  • Mary
    Dedicated July 2019
    Mary ·
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    And here's what it looked like before (and was completely straight/sheath in the front but I can't find any front-facing ones from when I bought the dress in 2018).

    Changing/altering Wedding Dress to Mermaid Shape 5

    Changing/altering Wedding Dress to Mermaid Shape 6

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  • Karishna
    Just Said Yes May 2022
    Karishna ·
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    Just found the photos! 😍
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  • T
    Tonya ·
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    I'm so glad I found this post! I purchased a sheath crepe dress that I love but desire it to be more of a mermaid style because of my curvy body. So, I'm glad 😊 it's possible.
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  • Mary
    Dedicated July 2019
    Mary ·
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    Yes, it is definitely possible! Just find a seamstress/tailor that you trust. Happy Wedding Day!

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  • Michael
    Master October 2023
    Michael ·
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    The before-picture looked disorganized but looked great in the tailored look.

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