Ask Angie&All: Should I Have This Dress Tailored?

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Ask Angie&All: Should I Have This Dress Tailored?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Dear Angie and all,

I would highly appreciate your thoughts on the fit of this dress when you have time.

My dear friend had an unworn navy sheath that she passed along to me yesterday. A navy sheath is nice to have, but I'm not too sure about the fit. I think it is fine in the lower body, but maybe too big in the shoulder/chest area. What do you think? Should I have it tailored, and if so - how?

Thanks in advance!

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12 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from Nicole D

Krista

Veteran

Hi Ingunn,
I'm obviously not Angie but I love the dress and think it would get lots of wear in your wardrobe! I'm also not a tailoring expert and I know other sewers will chime in - but I agree that the shoulder line is off; almost like the armholes are too big. My limited sewing experience says that could be quite a tailoring job, but do not quote me. I am no expert by far. Looking forward to what the rest of the forum says!

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

It looks like it has great potential as a classic LND if you can achieve the right fit so.you feel fab in it. I would dive on something classic like this with a sleeve, for example, and use accessories to liven it up. The dress seems to hang very well on your frame. Looks like some aspect of the bodice needs better fit but I can't tell specifics from the photos. Some things I try on I can tell by myself that the alterations would be too extreme, but if there's hope, I just have to get an opinion and estimate from a good tailor..

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Krista and Unfrumped! I think the fit around the hips is fine. I posted mainly to get a confirmation on my gut feeling that something is a bit off, and you both seem to agree with me on that. To me, it seems to be too much width in the back in particular. There are several seams that can be taken in, including in front and in the back of the neckline. That might be easier than a shoulder alteration, I think. The dress is very nice, and I think it has great potential for both work and play.

12 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

One of the tailoring tips that my mother taught me was that fabric wrinkles and folds point to the problem area. It's hard to tell exactly from a photo, but my first thought was that it looks like there might be too much fabric around the bust area. A tailor might want be able to reduce the volume by taking in the bust dart and/or the underarm seams. It's a lovely dress and I think would be worth checking with a tailor to see if it could altered.

12 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

It looks to me like it is a bit too long from shoulder to waist and could be taken in a bit on the sides from the underarm to above the waist. I have had this alteration done on a lot of pieces over the years so I recognize the slight rippling it causes.

Having said that, I think the dress is very much wearable as is.

12 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

I agree that the top/bodice seems a little big while the hips/skirt seem fine. I'm not sure how much tailoring it would take to nip in the to of the dress, but it's worth checking. Sometimes just a simple tweak makes all the difference.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote pass on. I don't find the sleeves flattering and there isn't much you can do unless you take the sleeves off - which means the armholes will probably be too big. The bodice could be altered no problem - but again, I personally don't think it's worth the expense.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Angie and all! I actually like the dress, so I still think investigating in alterations is worthwhile. Removing the sleeves has crossed my mind already, and I don't think the armholes would be bigger than the armholes of my Boss sheath. By removing the sleeves, I can layer under more easily.

12 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Actually the slightly too large upper half does not bother me. It's the lumpy seams around the outline of the dress, on the hips -- that bugs me most. Could this be pressed or is this part of the fabric or workmanship that can't be changed? I would try to get rid of the lumps and just wear it as is and see if it's worth the alterations. (I've done major alterations like this and they've cost me $50-100 and never came out quite right.)

12 years ago

missvee

Veteran

It was also my thought to remove the sleeves and take in the side seams of the bodice a little bit. Then you could layer underneath, or wear it under a jacket. I guess it all depends on the quality of the garment, to decide whether to invest in the alterations.

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Denise, I've noticed, too. It is probably due to the front pockets, the seam allowance is caught in the side seam and creates a stiff fold. To take the skirt in slightly would maybe help. The entire dress is a size up for me, so I think any attempt to have it altered will be a hit or miss. The way I see it, I have very little to lose, apart from a small investment. If the costs are too high, I'm not committing to it. I might rather give it a try myself.

Missvee, the more I think about it, the more I would like to see it as a sleeveless. The quality is quite nice, a sturdy fabric with a slight stretch. The brand is InWear.

12 years ago

Nicole D

Veteran

I like the pockets too! I would love to see what it looks like without sleeves.

12 years ago

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