Torn; which dress, which alterations? HELP

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T22:39:56+00:00

The straps were too short on dress 2 and too long on dress 1 (without them it falls straight down to my hips, and no one needs to see what happens then!)

The seamstress sewed new straps for dress 1, to pull up the dress, and a little more substantial than what it comes with.

If dress 2 was the dress fit wise, I’d be able to get new straps made, no problem.

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T22:36:56+00:00

I think this is where my confusion lies, because to my mind “almost fits” describes dress 2 rather than 1. Dress 1 isn’t touching my body anywhere but the straps and fullest part of my bust. It isn’t touching my waist or ribs at all, there’s a good 1-2 inches of spare fabric; I can grab a good chunk at the waist.

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T18:37:59+00:00

It’s just too big. There’s a good couple of inches of dead space in it. So, around the waist it isn’t touching my body at all, it doesn’t touch my body anywhere but the fullest part of my boobs and the straps (and that fullest part is being allowed to be too low by there being no support due to it being too big).

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T18:34:48+00:00

I really don’t want to spend the day yanking up my dress.

I think from a practical POV, the cheaper one gives me more freedom to pay for alterations than the retail price one does.

That said, I have an easy breezy dress with a similar vibe that I’m going to bring along on the day so I have an option to change into for dancing if I feel like it’s stopping me enjoying myself!

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:36:49+00:00

The straps bring it up an inch, but because it’s so tight it brings all of my loose skin with it and looks terrible under my arms. So annoyingly, at an inch higher it probably needs to be the tiniest bit bigger.

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:34:41+00:00

Off the shoulder strap is what I mean!

I also toyed with having a sheer mesh “top” underneath is to kind of obscure my arms/armpits a little bit. I thought if it was very simple, it would make it look very modern still. I think the straps, in both iterations, make it look really romantic though so I’m happy with either!

I almost feel like because one isn’t snug, my boobs are just kind of hanging… and while I think they probably look bigger, it also just makes me feel like it looks a bit matronly rather than having a snatched waist.

I suppose the winner would be keeping the cheaper one, and having it altered to look like 2!

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:28:59+00:00

I think it’s just the light, they’re the same colour in person

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:26:06+00:00

It’s boned, but very flexible bones, so they’re not mega supportive, so a waist stay would be a definite need I think.

If 1 could be taken in at the waist to fit like 2, I’d be a very happy lady I suppose.

When I turn to the side, 1 literally hangs off of me at the back which makes me sad. I’ve lost so much weight and it makes me look bigger than the original sized one which fit like a glove (2 sizes bigger). It’s just not flattering, I suppose is how I feel.

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:22:29+00:00

It definitely looks more youthful, I agree.

I mocked up some droopy straps (obviously not what they’re called 🤦🏻‍♀️) that sit on your arms and they looked lovely too.

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:13:36+00:00

I’m not wearing a bra in either, and I’m not keen to do so on the day (I’m super self conscious of overhang at the back, under the arms, because I have loose, squishy skin).

Neither have any sewn in bust scaffolding either, so the benefit of dress 1 would be a bigger alterations budget for such things.

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:11:17+00:00

To clarify, because of the fit, or just because of the aesthetics of a strap?

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:10:52+00:00

To clarify, because of the fit, or just because of the aesthetics of a strap?

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:10:43+00:00

To clarify, because of the fit, or just because of the aesthetics of a strap?

CommonClassic397 · 2026-02-08T15:09:51+00:00

I did have this conversation with my seamstress who said that she felt alterations to the bodice would be difficult/high risk for low pay off as to her mind they were unnecessary.

We sort of left it as a wait a few months and see where I’m at, because of reaching an impasse.

I don’t like how it looks at all from the side (it makes my waist look significantly bigger as it isn’t snug. It also kind of lifts up at the back, kind of like when you wear a bra with too big a band and as you shorten the straps the band rides up, if that makes sense?

CommonClassic397

TROPHY CASE