K/R Strapless blue dress - Seamstresses please help

I found this J. Crew dress on thredup and I'm not going to lie, I fell in love with it. It's lightweight, all cotton, and feels like it would be good for going out on a summer evening. And I like how it is a bit longer than most of my skirts and dresses. And it feels like it fits well everywhere... except for the back. It has the plastic boning/hold it up bit and in the back it's definitely bowing out. I'm not sure how visible it it, but I can definitely feel it.

So here's my question - is this a keep or return? It's in great condition, and because I got a good deal on it, I can afford to have it altered. Can that plastic boning thing-y be changed or fixed? I think it's definitely above my skill level, but I don't know it's fixable.

Thanks so much for your help!

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10 years ago

donnat

Veteran

Can't tell what the back looks like, and no idea, really, if it can be fixed. Maybe try taking it to your tailor, for a better opinion.

Meredith

If others can chime in about how to fix the problem, then it's a keep! Such a pretty color and shape and in cotton! That's like the Holy Grail of summer dresses to me. I wonder would it stay up if you removed the boning?

Dee

The dress is gorgeous on you and sounds perfect for the summer weather. I hope someone can tell you about the alterations. It doesn't look too bowed from the pic though.

Alassë

It is lovely on you! I hope it can be altered.

Firecracker (Sharan)

It's adorable on you!

I think it could probably be altered. I don't have any experience with boning, I imagine you could have darts taken in between the boning. Or possibly the boning could be removed and elastic could be added across the back (with a smocking effect), if that appeals to you. It's worth taking to a tailor to see.

Kristin L

Thanks Donnat, Dee and Alasse! A good summer dress can be hard to find.

I hadn't thought of elastic or darts. Thanks for the ideas Sharon and Meredith. I've been doing a little research and it looks doable. Maybe not my level of doable, but I think the lady I take my alterations to should be able to do it.

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