Should I cut it off? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Should I cut it off?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I love my navy eyelet Anne Klein dress (shown in this outfit http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ne-cleaver) but I'm finding the attached wrap around self tie belt a bit limiting in terms of styling. I would like to be able to wear different colours belts with the dress (red, snakeskin, citron, etc.).

Should I carefully cut off the attached tie/wrap belt or just leave it as is? Would a different coloured belt chop me in half and make the dress less attractive?

What would you do?

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from rae

rae

(website)

Veteran

Is the dress a faux wrap? If so, I'd definitely chop off the belt. I think replacing all self belts is one of those instant YLF transformation things.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yep - faux wrap. The tie does act almost like an obi belt though and makes my waist feel smaller. But there are soooooo many pretty belts...

Inge

(website)

I love the dress as is with the self belt, Shannon, but it's clear you're very eager to experiment with different belts too, and I agree that there are so many fun ones around, so I say go for it and hack it off;-)

K. Period.

Veteran

Could you open up the side seam where the belt is attached just a wee bit and make a hole that the belt can tuck into? I'm thinking like the hole that a wrap dress has--just a little smaller and tighter. If you bring it forward first to tie it, make the hole on the front side of where the belt attaches; if you bring it back first, then make it on the back. That way the wrapped belt will hide the opening when you use it. You may need to shorten the belt a little bit so that it doesn't hang down enough to see below your dress hem. You'll probably have to go in and do a few little stitches to make everything secure. (And be careful when you use the facilities--you don't want the belt going for a dip. Sorry. Just being practical.)

Ginny

Veteran

Hack it off, that dress is a great piece to experiment with some fun belts!!

Sylvie

Veteran

Cut that sucker off. I never wear the self fabric belts with my dresses. I prefer the structure and color flexibility of a leather belt.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Of course.
...
Who's next?

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

HACK HACK HACK!

Meredith1953

Veteran

Sounds like everyone wants to see you hack the belt! I would love to see it with one of the pretty belts on Angie's recommended list.

Isabel

Veteran

Wow..I would never have guessed that there are such passive aggressive hackers here. If increases versatility, yes !

April

Veteran

I think a self-belt is rarely as nice as a contrasting one. A self-belt looks like the outfit came prepackaged, whereas a chosen belt looks like style.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm thinking seam ripper, not scissors.

Jjsloane

Veteran

Can it be cut off in a manner (seam ripper comes to mind if it's really a full belt just tacked down in one spot) that preserves it so you can still "obi belt" it if you get the desire?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Jeanne - unfortunately the belt is attached on both sides of my waist and then you wrap both ends around behind and then bring it back to the front to tie it. I would need to snip it off at both ends.

rae

(website)

Veteran

After you snip it off, can you sew the two ends together? Then you can still have the self belt when/if you want it.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Brilliant Rae - why didn't I think of that?

Happy hacking - here I come!!!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

You should do what Rae suggested!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

All done - and the two ends match perfectly for a quick stitch job so I can still have the "self obi belt" look when I want. Whoo too - now off to the thrift store to see if I can find some colourful belts NOW!!!

ManidipaM

Veteran

::smh:: Between you and Claire and Rae, someone needs to do a 'Cinderella Project for the Closet' TV show or something

Good luck belt hunting!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yay, happily ever after!