Question for sewers re: NAS dress

Aquamarine

I received the following Halogen dress from NAS yesterday. I love it, but wish it were a smidge longer. There is about a 1.5 inch hem, and I am wondering if a tailor could let it out without the original seam line showing.

It hits right at my kneecap (I am 5'4"), and I think a bit longer would be better since I am 50. I loved this dress on Kari, and I don't think it's too young for me <gulp>, but if you have an opinion on that I'd be interested in hearing it too. For what it's worth, I think my legs are my best feature, and I am in reasonably good shape. I would wear the dress to a few dressy occasions coming up late summer and early fall.

Nordstrom

Halogen Ponte Fit & Flare Dress (Regular & Petite)

$99.00 $49.49

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9 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from tulle

Gaylene

Veteran

Usually ponte knits are very good candidates for not showing the original hemline on a let-down hem. But, I see this dress is 70% rayon which makes me pause before giving a thumbs-up, green light. It might depend on how "invisible" you want the original line.

For what it's worth, I think there is nothing wring with a kneecap hemline on an older woman--and, at 50, you don't even qualify to be in the "older" club. My suggestion would be to just wear the dress as is--and enjoy the admiration.

9 years ago

carter

Veteran

I have no idea. However, if the answer ends up being "no", you might try the Eileen Fisher dress. I am 5'5" and except for a slight uptick on the side, it hits me mid to bottom of the kneecap. I love it. In fact...I may have also ordered it in blue;-)

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Eileen Fisher Jersey Jewel Neck Flare Dress (Regular & Petite)

$178.00

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9 years ago

Anonymous

I'm with Gaylene: nothing wrong age-wise with a knee length hem, or even slightly higher if you have good legs. I'd go with it unless you just can't feel comfortable. My personal issue with the fit and flare style is there's something a bit too little girl about the style on me. I've been trying them on for the past couple of years and always unable to bring myself to buy because I feel somewhat "mutton as lamb." I'm also 5'4" and consider my legs a best feature. But I have a couple of years on you and grey hair so the disconnect is too much for me.

There's also the issue of sitting down for me: unless a fit and flare is truly midi length, there's always a risk of unintentional flashing when seated.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Carter, that Eileen Fisher looks fab on you! I must check it out!

9 years ago

deb

Veteran

OK, when I saw your title I could not figure out why you were asking about sewers. You know the pipes that carry the ick out. It must be the heat.

9 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

You can usually tell if the hem seam is going to show by spreading out the fabric at the hem to see if there is a line. Usually if you take the hem down right away the line won't show. It's when you wash and wear the item a few times that you'd get a line if you were to take the hem out.

FWIW, I think the length sounds fine as is. I'm over 50 and I wear dresses and skirts that hit at my knee and slightly above.

9 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Nordstom tailors can take the 1.5 inch hem down nearly all the way by putting on a facing. I have had them do this for a couple of dresses and my Halogen pencil skirts. It can skew big difference.

9 years ago

Kyle

Veteran

This should be an easy fix for a quality tailor. I have it done (or do it myself) a lot. Good luck!

9 years ago

Kari

Veteran

I'm glad that you like the dress too. Totally understand about having a sweet spot with the length. I passed up the knit Nic & Zoe NAS dress for that reason; the length was fine according to my mom and sister but I didn't feel comfortable with it.

With the caveat that I don't sew more than the most basic of mending, I think it shouldn't be a problem to get this dress altered. As you know from seeing it in person, the horizontal seams are much more noticeable than they look online, and with the ponte knit the original stitches/holes aren't visible. If there is enough hem left to slightly bring the length down to where you feel good in the dress, I would go for it. I've yet to be let down with Nordstrom alterations; so far their staff has shown a good knowledge of the best solution for tailoring their merchandise.

9 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

What Karie said.

9 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

Thanks for your thoughts, ladies.

Gaylene...thanks for the confidence boost. I wear shorts above the knee happily, and even some sheath dresses are higher. But, as Aliona says, this style gives me pause.

Carter...that dress is lovely on you. I have not had much luck with Eileen Fisher. It's always so much fabric and I cannot get the sizing right so I usually give up after a few returns. But maybe this one is worth a shot.

Aliona....I have yet to style this dress and sit down in it. Thanks for the reminder! I might feel differently when I wear it with shoes.

Deb...LOL

Karie...thanks for that tip! I did just that and there is no line. Phew!

Joy....I forgot I get free alterations...thanks for the reminder!

Kyle...thanks for the encouragement. Along with Karie's tip, I am thinking this is an easy, invisible alteration.

Kari...yes, the horizontal lines would help disguise any seam that showed....good point. I think I am going to try the dress on with the shoes I will wear, maybe take some photos, sit down too, and then decide whether I should get it altered. I do really, really like it and it's different from the sheaths I usually wear. I am also a sucker for burgundy items

9 years ago

tulle

Veteran

Before doing anything drastic, could you try it on and post a full-length pic? I have a feeling we'll all be encouraging you to show off those legs!

9 years ago

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