Need advice on alterations

Yes! You need a mermaid gown petticoat like this:

they come in different sizes, so either ask your alterations lady what size it should be, or ask her for the measurements of the dress so you can figure out what you need.

PS - it's a gorgeous dress!

Hi Op, I’m kind of confused what you mean! Do you just want the poofy part at the bottom to be poofier or are you wondering if it’s possible to move the flared part of the dress up to your thigh rather than by your knee?
If you’re just looking for extra volume, definitely go for the petticoat. If you were hoping to have the flared bit moved up to your thigh, it would hugely depend on the structure of the dress. I’m not a great sewer by any stretch but I do dabble. It’s definitely worth speaking to a seamstress but I think it would be very hard. It’s hard to see from the image but it looks like there is a seam at the waist under the lace. Theoretically underneath the lace could be taken up, but the trouble comes with the lace as it looks quite seamless or at least very well matched at the minute. If you try to make a cut and take it up at the waist it will ruin this effect and will be all mismatched and not continuous at the waist. Also it depends how much space you have in the hem for extra fabric to make sure it’s still floor length. You’d also have to take apart the side seams so you have to ensure there is enough seam allowance in the lace and the fabric for the structure around your hips to be changed.
You could look at opening the side seams up and not moving taking it up. However, because the lace design and the flare start at the knee I think it would just look badly altered if you tried to keep the same length and just open it up at the thigh. Definitely speak to a seamstress but it’s a stunning dress and for what you’ll get, I’m not sure the work will be worth it. Also it’ll be expensive because there is so much lace to work with. If anyone out there is a seamstress and I’m wrong please correct me! You look gorgeous OP, it’s a stunning dress!

I think it’s possible to loosen the fit at the knee and create a new flare point at the thigh. But obviously only a seamstress would know for certain.


It is my experience that seamstresses can do the impossible! I think you will have luck!

View Quoted Comment I have one of those petticoats already! I was wondering if I could change the look a little bit. I'm attaching a photo, just want more of a flare/trumpet look instead of mermaid, like this picture

Did you have an experience with adding flare to a mermaid gown? Please share lol

View Quoted Comment

This 100%.

If you are really set on this, I would just get a new dress Changing the whole look of this dress is risky, time consuming and expensive! You could sell this one to recoup some money. Not sure if this is possible with your timeline! Good luck!