Post # 1
Member
14 posts
Newbee
HELP! I ordered my wedding dress online, and it’s too short (I’m only 5’5″ but the dress only goes to my ankles, go figure). I’ve attached a photo below. I took the dress to an alterations shop, and the guy wants to detach the skirt and add a strip of fabric between the waistband and detatched skirt. Doing this would create a horizontal seam around my hips… ugh. I’d rather not do that.
Additionally, the skirt fabric oh-so-slightly fades into a yellow/greenish color at the waistband. I’m assuming this color will be very difficult to match exactly, which would add even more emphasis to my hips. Yeah, no thanks.
Do you guys think the dress would look okay with a layer of matching chiffon added to the BOTTOM of the skirt for the extra length? I need to add 5″ for flat shoes. Any thoughts??
Post # 2
Member
260 posts
Helper bee
I think adding an underskirt/petticoat might be the only solution. Get a chiffon in the color you want, and have it go down as many inches as you need. Have it fasten to your waist with a button, and include a small, maybe 6″ slit from where the buttons fasten so you can slip your hips into it.
Post # 3
Member
313 posts
Helper bee
The bottom looks too busy to add anything underneath and 5″ of extra chiffon would be fairly noticable, I think. 🙁 Would you be Ok with a tea length? I think the flowy skirt would look really cute that way. The waistband sounds like the only choice if you want it full length. Could you cover the waistband with a simple belt maybe?
I’m so sorry!
Post # 4
Member
475 posts
Helper bee
I have zero help (sorry!) but I just wanted to say that dress is so cool!
Post # 5
Member
260 posts
Helper bee
from the photo it looks like it is only an ankle length dress, so it came as it shouldve and its shorter than youd hoped, or someone altered it and made it too short? best option may be crinoline really. or rock the short dress
Post # 6
Member
14 posts
Newbee
I know, it’s so frustrating! We’re eloping to a mossy forest in Oregon, so it’s not the end of the world if the dress isn’t perfect. At least I won’t have a huge audience! Maybe we could 1) add a thicker waist band, and 2) add a bit of fabric to the bottom? That way, the added bottom layer could be less than the whopping 5″.
I’m also going to try to obtain a yard of the dress fabric. Maybe I can add a layer of the same floral pattern without it looking too crazy. Here’s another picture. It came with the little jacket.
Post # 7
Member
5217 posts
Bee Keeper
tex_in_tenn: I love that dess! What an awesome choice for a wedding gown. I think you should just get a pair of really awesome shoes you’ll have fun showing off.
Post # 8
Member
9541 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I don’t think that dress is meant to go all the way to the floor. Especially with all that beautiful detail at the bottom. Do you have a picture of the dress on you, as it is now? I’d probably keep it the length it is, or even shorten it at the waist, rather than lengthen it.
Post # 9
Member
1480 posts
Bumble bee
Bridey77: +1
Forget altering the dress and just get a cute pair of shoes to show off!!
Post # 10
Member
47432 posts
Honey Beekeeper
If you are not happy with the ankle length, I would add an underlayer of green tulle so it peeks out from under the dress as if it were intentional.
Post # 11
Member
260 posts
Helper bee
Floofy: I am going with a tea length dress myself, and my best friend is making it for me. I’m wary of buying online, myself.
Post # 12
Member
4810 posts
Honey bee
tex_in_tenn: The dress appears to be ankle length on the model – I can see her shoes in the stock photos. If you want it to be floor length I think adding to the waist is the better idea – the detailing of the hem is so lovely, I am afraid any material added under it would take away from the beauty of the pattern.
Post # 13
Member
1247 posts
Bumble bee
tex_in_tenn: It looks like its only meant to be ankle length? I think it is an AMAZING dress and looks great at the length it currently is on the model!
Post # 14
Member
14 posts
Newbee
Thank you for all the great suggestions! I have an hourglass figure, so I think that’s why I’m not happy with how the dress currently looks on me… the ankle length makes me look stubby. If I were super skinny it would look better! I’m taking the dress to another alteration shop today. Fingers crossed!!
Post # 15
Member
9562 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
from the picture the dress looks like it should be ankle length. can you return it and order in a large size then alter the parts that need to be made smaller?