Extreme Dress Alteration?

I'm pretty sure they can do pretty much anything...how much it will cost is the big question.

I think with making a strapless they end up needing to do some structural work (as a strapless dress usually has some sort of mechanism to keep the bodice together and from falling down) but it will depend on the specific dress. And obviously the amount of modification they need to do to the bodice will liekly be reflected in the cost

Defintely depends on the dress. Mostly because a lot of halter dresses don't have anything else holding the front of the dress up besides the halter neck. In other words, there is no support in the back. Take a photo to your seamstress, and she what she thinks.

I called and asked DB and they said they couldn't. But, I was just curious if it could be done period.

Well, I'd check with at least one or two independent places. DB doesn't have much motive to try hard.

A friend of mine had a long gown turned into a tea length through DB last year. They originally said no to the request but changed their answer as we went to leave the store. It might help to try again in person. They may do it rather than lose the sale. Or you could look into having it altered through an independent alterations company as Cabell said. I'm pretty sure it can be done, you just have to decide how much you want to spend on changing a halter to a strapless. Have you just not seen a strapless that you like? Keep in mind, though, that a change this big may really change the look of the dress and the way it fits you... Good luck!

I'm fairy sure it can be done, I don't know what the dress in question looks like but it shouldn't be too hard to do it. I've done a lot of alterations and modifications to clothing and I have learned that just about anything can be done, some things are just a little harder than others. Like the others ladies have said, without the halter front, nothing is there to hold the top up so some work would have to be done to fix that. If the back is real low, that will also make it a little harder to work with. If the dress fits you fairy snug as it is, it might be difficult to bring in some of the fabric to fit to you better. The difficult part is just trying to get the fabric to stand on it's own or finding a way to hold it up without really changing the look of the dress.

Is the dress on your IB the dress you want to change... it just looks like the top was specifically designed to be a halter and not sure how it would look as a strapless... like everyone said your going to have to put in some support in the front... did you buy it already? You might be able to find something similar that is already a strapless... Altering that much might get expensive!!!

I looked at your dress on your IB. A qualified seamstress can do just about anything, but I think you would be looking at some major redesigning and structural work on this one. I can think of a couple of ways to do it, but you would have to discuss it with your seamstress to see what she is comfortable with.

Are you anywhere near Portsmouth, NH? I know some very qualified people in that area.

I'm not a professional seamstress, but I've been sewing for over 30 years. If the dress on IB is the one you want altered, it can probably be done but it will require some major restructuring. The concern is (from what I can see) the halter straps appear to be quite thick and fully support the bust. Also, the dress doesn't seem to get a lot of support in the in the sides from the front. It's not going to be as simple as merely cutting the straps of the halter off. Strapless dresses need to be designed with support and structure so the top of the bust doesn't fall down. Perhaps boning can be added - I can't tell by the pictures.

I wouldn't doubt DB wouldn't do this. I would consult with a professional seamstress - one who has altered/sewn wedding dresses and has references you can check. This is not a job you want messed up!

Good luck!

I think your dress looks good on you! Why do you want to change it?

It is definately possible! I know because I just did it to mine. If I can figure out how to post a picture I can show you. I just had them take my dress in really snug so it won't budge.

Ok I made an inspiration board of my dress if you want to check it out. The close up of the top is from when I first tried the dress on. I don't care much for halters but had the idea to make it a sweetheart neckline and folded it over to see what it would look like. I asked the consultant if it was possible to do because I didn't want to purchase if they couldn't do it. Hope this helps!

The halter top looks like thats the only thing that's really holding you up. If you got it altered I don't think it will fit you the same and you might be really disappointed.

I know that with my halter top the neck line/cleavage revealer is really really deep and if it was made into a strapless I don't know if they could find the same fabric to make it not as deep of a cut. I also agree I don't know if it'll fit you the same. You can always have them try it on you..fold the halter neck down in front and see what that looks like then see if they can keep it up. Also I just read barron's comment while typing haha sorry to be redundant.

Oh! So I just looked at your dress...did you get that at DB? That the body of my dress but the halter looks different although I think it's the same dress.. I've never seen it on anyone else! :-) Stunning selection if I do say so myself! You do look gorgeous in it by the way..I wouldn't change it personally..but I have huge girls and they wouldn't look flattering in a strapless..

Some halter styles can be transformed into a strapless, like Barron's dress. Just basing it off the pictures... your gown doesn't appear to have enough structure built in to it to hold up the bust. Strapless gowns need boning, the more the better, in order to keep your dress up and support you well.

Unless someone will make your a new top and build a bustier in the gown, which is very expensive to do, I feel you should leave your gown as is.

But if you want to really investigate this idea further... take your gown to a wedding dressmaker who does alterations also. Seeing it in person, they may come up with an idea you like. Here is an article on how to go about choosing a dressmaker http://www.perfect-wedding-dress-finder.com/weddding-dressmaker.html

Sorry. The correct link is http://www.perfect-wedding-dress-finder.com/wedding-dressmaker.html