New cocktail dress for weddings - alter or not?

I have three weddings to attend this summer, two in May and one in August. Luckily there is no overlap of guests at all between them so I can get away with wearing the same dress. That is why I decided to get something nicer I can wear for a long time. After a long search, I settled on this blue Tadashi Shoji dress - it was rough finding something I loved that was not white, black, or one of 4 various wedding colors.

The dress had just arrived, and I love it. There is slight fit issue though, it is too big in the waist. There is at least an inch of extra material at both sides. This is a fairly common problem for me with dresses that fit my upper body. The material is a thick ponte jersey so I assume it shouldn't be too difficult to take in, correct? In the pic three I am holding the extra material back to show how I would like it to fit at the waist. If you compare the way it fits me to the way it fits the model it is much snugger on her at the waist area. So, what do you think, should I alter it or not?

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Saks Off 5th

Tadashi Shoji Cutout Jersey Cocktail Dress

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9 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

That dress is really beautiful on you, great shape, great color and texture.

Hmm...my first thought is don't alter it. Being a dancer you probably don't accidentally slump from time to time like I tend to, but if it's taken in, any slight change in posture (or the size of the wedding dinner you just ate) may be more visible around the middle. I also like how currently the dress falls in an even curve through the waist area, where if it fits like the model is wearing and in #3 this is interrupted by the indent under the ribs which I don't see as really necessary, since the waist looks slender as is without the bodycon section.

Sara L.

Great dress! It looks really good on you. I'm having a heard time seeing the difference between the pictures of the dress unmodified and where you're holding it. Hopefully others have better eyes.

Anonymous

I agree with rabbit! The way it dress falls now seems more graceful than with the midsection tightened and the fabric of the bodice looks less strained.
The color is gorgeous and you really do look beautiful.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

LOVE.

Try the dress down a size maybe. Tadashi runs big. These would look gorgeous on you too:

Nordstrom

Tadashi Shoji Mixed Media Sheath Dress

$228.00 $136.80

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Tadashi Shoji Lace Sheath Dress (Regular & Petite)

$228.00

Tadashi Shoji Embroidered Lace Sheath Dress (Regular & Petite)

$238.00

Tanya

Thank you very much ladies! I still have much thinking to do.

Angie, I can not try a size down because this is the smallest possible size (XS). Plus the bodice above the waist is very formfitting, a smaller size if existed would be have been too tight around bust and shoulders. The dresses you suggested are gorgeous but I need a dress with a full skirt I can dance in. All the weddings are ballroom dancing weddings ( 5 out of 6 people getting married are serious dancers) so there will be tons of real ballroom dancing.

Ah yes. Dancing. Good point. Take it to alterations and see what they can do.

This dress is beautiful. The color is wonderful on you. Great find! I'm on the fence about alterations but it doesn't look particularly large on you. Just hangs nicely. Admittedly, I'm not as experienced as these ladies on fit.

unfrumped

Great dress; you have done well!

I hear you on waist fit but I might leave this one as-is. It might depend on different views, back and side; meaning, I would not worry if it is not form- fitting at waist but only if it looks truly too big. I will bet the model's is pinned in back. If you did get it altered I think I would aim for a smooth tapering in that whole panel and not a cinched-waist look, since the design is for this linear inset and not a "waist" per se and that could be messed up by the wrong alteration. You might also see if you can find other photos of this dress on other models and see what you think.

Diana

Hmm, what is the structure of the dress at the waist? Is it pin tucking, or some different material? I worry that taking it in Would ruin the line of whatever that is. along the lines of rabbit's comment, I also think the cleaner line of the unaltered dress is more elegant, and that may just be how the dress is designed.

Joy

It's a beautiful dress. I don't see much difference in the photos, but you want to feel gorgeous wearing it.

Karie

The dress is gorgeous, and from the photos it looks good as is. However, if it is big in the waist, I would take it to a good seamstress, along with the Saks pic of how you want it to look, and see what they suggest.

catgirl

Tanya, the dress is gorgeous and I prefer the line it has unaltered. It looks graceful and flexible, like you. Great choice.

Thank you ladies, I appreciate all the input. The waist panel is the same material with lots of pintucks all over.

I would much prefer that it is very snug at the waist, that is to me the whole point of fit and flare dresses. But I also really like the dress and do not want to ruin it. I am planning on taking it to a very good tailor and se what he says and if it is possible to deal with or not. If it is not possible to alter, then I would either leave it and wear as is or add a very skinny belt is it looks OK.

Beth Ann

Depending on the interior construction -- this could be either really easy to alter, or incredibly difficult. The color and shape are lovely on you, and the movement of the skirt is a natural for dancing. I like the illusion at the neck -- formal, but ladylike!

Firecracker (Sharan)

It's a beautiful dress and stunning on you. I don't think it should be too hard to take in the waist, if it has sideseams.

CocoLion

Love it on you. I do not think it looks big but if it makes you happier when it is more fitted, by all means alter it.

Suz

What a stunning dress, Tanya -- i really hope you can get it altered so it works. It would be perfect for the events.

Janet

It's really beautiful on you, Tanya. I don't think it needs alteration, but a good tailor and a *gentle* adjustment at the waist (a gradual taper to preserve the nice line it already has) will hopefully make this feel better for you.

jackiec

Gorgeous!!

I definitely think it's worth asking how and whether they can alter the dress, Tanya.

Thistle

Gorgeous dress! Are you sure it needs altering? By all means, if you don't feel comfortable in it, see what it would take to have it taken in, but it is lovely as is.

Nannabella

Active Member

It sounds like you'd be happier with it if it were a bit more fitted on top, and I agree that's the point of fit-and-flares! I also think it's hard to see the looseness at the top in the pictures, but looking closely, I can see the extra fabric bunching a bit at the bottom of the ribs and waist area. I'd definitely ask a tailor about how easy it would be to take in.

Do you have a good tailor? If you're trying someone out for the first time, ask to see some of their finished work to see how it's turned out. They should have some pieces around that are waiting to be picked up.

If it's taken in properly at the sides in the right amounts, it shouldn't end up pulling the way it does when just held back.

rachylou

I can't tell that it's too big. If they can't alter it, I'd still keep. The dress is a million bucks.

Sveta

I see what you mean about the waist - I often have the same problem. It also may be more visible in person than in the picture so I would trust your feelings and take it for the alterations. Fingers crossed they can do a good job on this beautiful dress!
Ballroom dancing weddings - and all crowds are different? How did it happen? Does not matter were we go dancing in my city we always meet the same people

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