i hate my altered dress. Help.

First, I have to say, I think you look beautiful in it! But you have to feel beautiful in it. This might sound silly but have you tried adding a belt to it? It could add definition to your waist and give you the shape you're looking for.

I like what Sharon suggested - it feels like if you added a belt it would not make that cinch as noticeable. I also have to agree I think it looks beautiful on you

The only real difference I see between them is the belt. Beautiful dress!

View Quoted Comment I actually do have a belt that I’m wearing with it, but I didn’t take it with me to alterations. Maybe it will help when I go back the next time.

I agree with Sharon to try a belt (and that you look beautiful, but you need to feel it too), especially since you have a belt in the before picture.
Is the dress loose enough that you can comfortably sit? Because it looks like it’s tight and bunching a little bit around your waist (especially from the back) because of the way they took it in. I had that issue with my dress when I bought it, and to remedy the fact that my dress fit my hips but needed taken in around my waist and let out around my bust the seamstress is switching to a corset back. I loved the button details on the back, but this seemed like the easiest solution. I also found comfortable shapewear I like that really smooth everything out.

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Lol the funny thing is that I already have the shapewear on in the second picture and yeah, i think its a bit too tight now. It gives me what i like to call....a back crack lol. Can seamstress let things out after they've taken in? Theres a bit of a language barrier with him, so maybe i could ask if he would let it out just a tiny bit. Every seamstress ive been to (Ive tried several for other alterations) seem to get SO offended if you dont like something they do or want to change it.

View Quoted Comment I would definitely talk to them about it, they shouldn’t need to let it out too much, just enough to make it lay how it’s supposed to. I joked while trying on dresses that they just weren’t made for my curves because almost all of them would bunch a bit around my waist like that.
I totally understand people getting offended when you don’t like what they’ve done, but in this case I feel like they just messed up their measurements because it should lay smooth over your waist and hips. Having confirmed it bunches, I worry your belt will draw more attention to that in your eyes- I’m sure none of your guests will even be thinking about it, but you absolutely will (I know I would). It’s a beautiful dress and I really hope you can get it fixed so you love yourself in it again! Language barriers can be difficult, I’d try showing him the pictures and pointing out the issues. Good luck!

I actually had my dress remade at their cost because the gown they made was a completely different silhouette on me between me trying it on and production. I even had to sign a waiver because I had them pin the one that came in so much where I loved it on me and I ended up changing the shape (modified A-line from a mermaid...like I said, BIG difference). I know how you feel completely. It's scary. If the seamstress/seamster(?) did it correctly you should have about 1 inch of wiggle room. Doesn't SOUND like a lot, but could make all the difference in your waist. I'll post the way it came in and then the final product


What it came in as:
After they redid it:

I agree, try it on with the belt. See if that makes any difference. 😊

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Thats great advice. I'll give it a shot. Thank you!

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Yeah i definitely don't have an inch of wiggle room!! I'll keep that in mind when I put it on again. Your dress is stunning on you!!

I think what you draw is a dress with a corset inside it.

No need to scrap it, I think the belt will make a big difference!

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much!


What I mean by an inch of wiggle room is that if it was done correctly, you should have a half inch of seams on each side, meaning it can probably be *let out* an inch overall. Sorry that wasn't clear at all as I reread it. I meant that even though an inch doesn't sound like a lot, it can make a big difference

I was totally in your shoes. My dress came in, and THEN I realized that I hated the back and the sleeves. With the sample I couldn't see how it zipped up. I still regret not changing it, but I figured I was so close to my day that I would go with it. Now I think your seamstress should be able to let it out on the sides to give you some more breathing room. My dress was bubbling too - let me find the pictures.




After she let it out on the sides, you can see less of a buckle.

View Quoted Comment Okay maybe I just need to ask him to let out the sides more. It’s weird because I feel like he only made the dress small in one point rather than tapering the whole torso line.

You know what you want. I think the seamstress can just let it out a little, right?

View Quoted Comment I hope so! I will find out this week!

I see what you are saying. If the dress was taken in, your seamstress should still have fabric to work with and can just let out the dress just a touch more (like an extra inch, maybe inch and a half) so you don't feel like you are squeezed in like a sausage. That should result in a softer line and will likely be a bit more comfortable too.

Another issue might be whether you are wearing a separate bra under the dress or if cups have been sewn in. Daughter is a 36DD and could not wear a bra under her dress. In order for the dress (which had a lot of built in structure) to hold her up/in exactly the way she needed it to, it had to be really tight at the waist and on her ribcage. When it was more loose, she didn't have as much support as she wanted and the bodice tended to wrinkle a little. When it was super tight, everything was perfect. Your dress looks great to me, and once the belt is on I think it will look even better. I'd suggest having the belt sewn onto the waistline and getting rid of the ties so it stays right on the dress's waist seam and has a smoother look overall.