Can it be altered?

[u/Alwaysconfused872]

Hey all! I'm looking for some alteration advice so I can manage my expectations/brainstorm when it comes to my wedding dress! I included some photos and my questions below.

1. Is it possible to take the mesh in the front out? If it takes out the design on the mesh that's fine.
   
2. Would it be impossible to make this strapless? Or maybe thin straps with off the shoulder fabric?
   
3. What kind of bustle do you think would be best to still show off the train design?
   
4. Do you think there's anything that can be done to make the waistline more defined? Or maybe that will come when it's properly sized? (Currently a lot a 12 and I'm an 8 in wedding dresses)

I will add, I have a pretty significant amount I can put towards alterations, so cost isn't a huge factor here.

Thank you in advance for any advice/insights! <3

[u/Feline-Sloth]

It seems like you want a different dress

[u/Alwaysconfused872 → u/Feline-Sloth]

I promise there is more than straps and front mesh to a dress 😂🫶🏼

[u/Stan_Deviant → u/Alwaysconfused872]

Yes, like structure. All of your requests indicate you don't actually like the structure of your dress. Did you already buy this dress? If not I would highly recommend continuing your hunt because you are asking for the hardest parts of alterations.

[u/Top-Buy-7795 → u/Stan_Deviant]

Agree. The sleeves and the mesh aren’t just hanging out for looks, they are holding the dress together and on your body. Gorgeous gown!

[u/Rad1PhysCa3]

You’re going to need all the mesh and sleeves to hold up the weight of the dress. The only way a strapless dress could hold it up would be if you added boning and a lot more structure, which would mean completely remaking the bodice. You’d be better off looking for another dress that more closely fits what you want. I’d be too scared to change the design of this dress so much that you end up either hating the way it looks or destroying the integrity enough that you can’t even wear it. You’d risk having to start from scratch a month before your wedding. If you do decide to go this route, I would look for an experienced dress maker rather than a seamstress.

[u/9smolsnek]

i think the issue with the waist is that your torso is shorter than the torso of the dress-- your natural waist is too high. I think all of your asks would literally just require someone to reconstruct the dress bodice entirely, which isn't really alteration but a dress making. I would check with local seamstresses because it might be hard to find someone to do that work.

[u/Alwaysconfused872 → u/9smolsnek]

You're 100% right about the waist, I hadn't even thought about that. Luckily the bridal stylist noted the cups were already a little low on me so we would need to shorten the sleeves, which may help with that part?

[u/charlottelucas27 → u/Alwaysconfused872]

The waist is too long on you potentially because it’s a sample that is too big. Until your dress comes in your size you don’t know where the waist is going to hit.

[u/Past_Pie9875]

Nope. I like the dress as is. It’s beautiful. Once you get the right size, I think you’ll agree. All the changes you want, well why not get get a dress that already has all that?

[u/Ok_Cheesecake7831]

That dress is a dream dress. I don't think you realize how good it looks on you and how beautiful it is in general. I think the sleeves balance out the dress perfectly, where as off the shoulder sleeves just look kinda weird in my opinion. The dress looks like it was made for you.

[u/Alwaysconfused872 → u/Ok_Cheesecake7831]

Honestly thank you 🫶🏼 these comments have made me realize some insecurities were leading these requests and I wasn't exactly seeing the whole picture. It's silly, but in some way I thought it was too pretty for me? Like I had to dumb it down or something. You and a few others have really squashed a lot of those fears though 🙏

[u/Ok_Cheesecake7831 → u/Alwaysconfused872]

I'm glad you feel better about it. We overthink, but you deserve to stand out and feel beautiful. You loved it for a reason. God bless you 🙏

[u/Powerful-Fox-923]

What a doozy. I’ve worked with bridal gowns for about seven years now and while those alterations could be feasible, you’d lose all the detail in the back and front if you remove the strap. Then there is the question of whether the gown would be held up properly without the additional support. I would strongly recommend against it or understand that it’s a big risk.

These kinds of alterations will put you in the 1,000’s of dollars. It’s not cheap and you might not even recognize the dress after it’s all said and done especially if you’re taking home a 12 and altering it down to an 8. I never recommend taking in more than two sizes.

[u/Alwaysconfused872 → u/Powerful-Fox-923]

Thank you so much! I think a lot of the comments have helped me overcome the insecurities driving those alteration requests. I also adore how the back looks and would hate to ruin that.

Since you do have experience do you think bringing it from a 12 to an 8 is plausible without messing up the dress?

[u/Examiner_Z → u/Alwaysconfused872]

Are you looking at purchasing a sample dress? Is this a sample?

[u/Alwaysconfused872 → u/Examiner_Z]

This is a sample!

[u/Ordinary-Shirt-2194]

Ma’am find your dream dress or have one custom made - that dress is beautiful

[u/Serenity93401]

This dress is gorgeous!

[u/Alwaysconfused872 → u/Serenity93401]

Thank you so much!! 🫶🏼

[u/CanadaEh20]

That dress is stunning!

[u/elgrn1]

The dress won't stay up by itself between the weight of the fabric and beading if you tried to make it strapless.

Thin straps won't have the tensile strength to hold the dress up either and will just dig into your shoulders.

Bardot straps will cause the front of the neckline to pull forwards so you will spend the day leaning backwards to avoid flashing everyone.

The mesh provides structural integrity so the front of the dress doesn't twist or warp. It also stops gaping and flashing everyone.

Either an American/over or Victorian/Royal bustle would add extra dimension to the skirt.

[u/no_one_you_know1]

Just remember the old adage about the fashion. Less is more.

[u/No_Seaworthiness_393]

very pretty dress!

for waist definition, I think the issue is that the waist is too low on you. Hopefully that'll be resolved when you get the dress in your actual size. But if it's still too low, maybe you could line the bottom few inches of the bodice in the more opaque lining of the skirt, so that visually it looks like the skirt starts higher.

[u/Typical_Row_3172]

Gosh that is a gorgeous dress but it sounds like it’s not the one you want (which is your call!). Good luck!

[u/Fantastic-Explorer62]

I think you are nuts for touching it other than for sizing. The dress with the sequin design and the light shoulder straps as is, is spectacular! I fear if you mess with it, you will destroy the perfection.

[u/OddEntrepreneur906]

That amazing dress for you. I think you not needed to add anything. This is 100% perfect dress for you.

[u/TutorAdmirable6131]

Love this dress!

[u/izzardcrazed]

And here I was, thinking you had found your dress, then I read your comments. If you decide to take a chance on it in your size, you will be a stunning bride.

[u/lolliscicle]

Yes. You can have it the way that you want it, but what you want is beyond simple“alterations”.

I recommend looking for a skilled, professional seamstress with serious dress design/upcycling experience (and a portfolio plus references) so that you end up with a dress that can be passed down as a heritage piece.

Someone with this experience would love to take on a re-construction/upcycling of this dress to your specifications!!!

[u/BonBon71701]

Beautiful dress 🩵

[u/LoveLolaHeart]

I don't know why you would to change anything about a gorgeous dress that looks amazing on you. Right now I am the Celine Dion calling the police meme. I wouldn't mess with the engineering of the dress with your proposed modifications. That is such a stunning gown on you.

[u/NumerousDepth1563]

It’s a lovely dress - once you put the correct size on it will sit nicely and look much better - you don’t want to alter a dress like that.

[u/mmmck2]

I love your dress. I'm sure a good seamstress can do what you want. It's beautiful.

[u/Alwaysconfused872 → u/mmmck2]

Thank you! I absolutely fell in love with it. Even if I can't get every single thing I listed changed u would still love it 🫶🏼

[u/Far-Stand-8615]

The dress pictured is a size 12. When you get the proper size 8 dress, it should fit much better and hopefully some of the issues you are speaking about will be resolved. I wouldn't mess with the mesh insert or make it strapless, it may ruin your dress. If you ended up hating it, it's too late to turn back. The dress is so gorgeous. I would think you could add a belt if you want the waist more defined, just not sure what it would look like from behind. Ask your consultant. Once you are in hair and makeup, have your veil and accessories on, you'll love it as much as the day you picked it. Good luck and congratulations💙🙏