Too small skirt - a hopeless case?

A couple of years ago, during a brief moment when I’d lost a few pounds, I bought a great cargo skirt. Of course, I promptly gained those pounds back and have had trouble getting rid of them again. I can get the skirt on and zip it, but it ends up sitting very high on my waist/torso (I’m narrowest right under the bra band), which is not comfortable. The skirt has no real stretch.

I can’t find it available online anywhere to try it in a larger size, and everything I see available now in a similar style has way more faff up near the hip and waist. Gathered waistlines, pockets sticking out, etc. I like that this style has some detail at the bottom (mine doesn’t seem to flare out like the stock photo here) and a clean waist and hip.

I would really enjoy a solid neutral casual summer-weight midi skirt, and this one would be ideal if I were only about 7 lbs smaller. Does anyone have any ideas to alter something for more room? Or am I just stuck with it in my holding zone. I even wondered about having some inches taken off the top and inserting a shorter zip, but I am not enough of a seamstress to know. I may take it to my tailor to see if she has any ideas, but she’s not always interested in doing anything too complicated.

Any ideas?

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1 month ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

From your description of the fit, Janet, I wonder if the waistband can be removed and a facing added instead, a few inches down from the current waist. Your tailor might be able to do that. You wouldn't have to remove the zipper, and a coordinating fabric could be used for the facing, since it will only show when you take off the skirt.

Suz

(website)

I hope you can find a way to adapt it, Janet. It's so frustrating when a beloved item doesn't fit right any more....

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Great skirt for you, Janet! Worth altering, and expert sewer Sharan makes excellent suggestions.

This might help, and is like what Sharan is describing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGZrJfOFNec

LJP

Where is the zipper and what kind of waistband does it have ? Great skirt - but hard to comment when you can’t see the waist area .

RobinF

Maybe the waistband can be removed and replaced with elastic?

Janet

Great feedback! That video was very helpful, Angie.

Here are closeups of the waistband and zipper — looks to be a nylon zipper, and I don’t mind losing the set-on waistband since I don’t tuck tops anyway. The skirt is quite long, so I don’t mind losing some of the length.

I have a sewing machine I have never used, but I took a one-day introduction to machine sewing class a couple of years ago that was a good re-introduction to the basics (I learned in middle school). It’s possible I could do a simple hack myself.

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It’s tricky with the double topstitched waistband .

Wouldn't it be possible to just lose that waistband altogether? In the technique like the video Angie posted?

Sure - if that's the only place you need the extra room. It will let the skirt sit lower down on your hips by an inch. I suppose it's worth investigating if it was a expensive piece.

Irina

I don’t know if it helps but I once had a pair of wool pants that I loved. They eventually became too tight. I took them to my seamstress and she inserted silk ribbon on each side seam gaining about 3 inches in width. I wore my “new” tuxedo pants for another couple of years.

Alternatively, you can try inserting v-shaped elastic in the side seams (cutting the waistband, too).

Carol

Juice! Juice for a week! Ha ha...no, but that is what the raw food experts told me to do the week before my wedding. I fully believe in the power of juicing for healing, but not for weight loss. That will come right back a month later.

I am not a seamstress. But if you are not too attached to the skirt in the long run, you could try "stressing" the top by stretching it with a form, or two things pulling in opposite directions. I bet if you did that for a few days, it would fit better.

Indigoprint

If you do not intend to show the waist, I have had success with adding a V shaped insert at the side seams or waist.
Depends on the garment as to where I place the insert.

cjh

Angie’s suggestion, or similar I’ve seen on YouTube, is excellent. The video shows the inside edge ends up being a raw edge, but perhaps adding a piece of grosgrain ribbon or putting a binding over the raw edge would make the inside feel more finished after cutting off the top edge and waist band, plus stabilize so it doesn’t stretch out while wearing. I wouldn’t be afraid to try this. Mark and cut carefully as shown in the video.

Dana

I don't have any tailoring advice, but I have sympathy for you. I've had more clothes than I care to admit that I've bought at a thinner weight and only wore them a couple of times.

Ang

Active Member

It looks like this little boutique has it in a larger size: https://thefindmoabutah.com/pr.....argo-skirt

Ang, good job! You are a better internet sleuth than I am. Now wondering if I order that, should try it in black or stick with the olive? I have been thinking of adding a black skirt, but really I’m just looking for a neutral. Perhaps the olive would do just as well.

Oh, so some points about it stretching, this fabrication has no stretch!

Dana, I feel this so hard. I’m letting go of some other items that I haven’t worn in many years, that I think are not as great of a fit with my evolving style anyway. Still, it kinda smarts.

Lisa

I have no suggestions to add but I wish you luck with your skirt alterations!

Oh I’m SO tempted to order this in black . I’d love the olive , in fact prefer it that colour but doubt it would get worn . At least I can wear a black skirt to work . PM’ ing you a few questions ….

Roberta

I would remove the waistband first and see if the new waist fits. Since there are darts front and back, you have the option of opening those as well. Then find a piece of wide gros grain ribbon you like and use it as the facing. Since it is a military olive color, you could find a military style ribbon to go with it. Ribbon is great because it has no raw edges and you can straight stitch it over the other fabric. Since the skirt has no stretch, that would be even easier.

The skirt is really handsome and I hope you can make it work!

I saw this today and thought of you . Nothing as edgy here but looks like a great cut .

Lisa, that’s a really good skirt! It’s never been in my local store, so it was not on my radar. Not terribly edgy, I agree, but perhaps worth a try, especially since it’s on sale.

I did order the larger size olive skirt from the source Ang posted above. I was tempted to try it in black, but the black was sold out in that size.

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