How can I alter this dress?

[hidinginthenightgarden]

I think it looks okay but it looks much better with the zip down. How could I alter it with no sewing skills at all?

There is no alteration on this type of material that won't show. I'm sorry but it's either wear a different dress or drop a dress size before the event.

Yes - make it into a skirt. The bottom is lovely.

manufactured dresses are done with overlocker type machines - there is no excess seam that can be utilised. I too would turn it into a skirt...

At a pinch you could turn the back into a v shape with eyelets and ribbon to make it a corset style.

Kind of.

Sell it on ebay and track down the same dress in the next size?

It's lovely, and the shape does suit you, but it doesn't fit at all.

Soola that is exactly what I had in mind. Just not sure how hard that is!

Why not just break the zip off?

Wear a bolero-style jacket or cardigan over it?

Could a panel be stitched in at the back?

Take to a local seamstress or cut your losses and just sell on eBay. That is not an easy fabric to work with if you have no sewing skills

The problem with the back ideas is that it's too small on the front section as well. It's going to be really obvious if you open up the back enough to fit, because the front seams won't sit correctly.

Letting out the back in the centre won’t help much with the front.

Can you add side panels, Me and Em style?

Can you wear it back to front and put some sort of cami / complimentary top under neath? Maybe take the zip out.... I think that's what Trinny might do!

You (or rather a seamstress) could definitely do something with that - yes, it will show, but noone's going to be looking that closely at your seams! I would think they could take that central panel out at the back and replace it with something else, using a bit of excess from that panel as seam allowance to attach it to the sides. Or just take the zip out, hem it and stick in some eyelets and ribbon for a corset back. I'm a massive fan of bodging clothes, if it means you'll wear it then some pin-prick holes at the sides or a bit of dodgy sewing at the back really isn't a big deal!

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.refinery29.com/amp/en-us/how-to-wear-clothing-backwards

Mrsmaiselsmuff it’s actually a perfect fit at the front of the zip is down. Can’t put the dress back in right now as I’m at work . If I could some how lace up the back very loosely so it looks like it is meant to be undone then I’d be very happy!

www.msn.com/en-au/lifestyle/style/celebrities-who-wore-their-outfit-backwards/ar-BBVwZQC

Back to front is genius! I’ll give it a go later.

I'd also turn it into a skirt, and I'd wear a round neck sleeveless black shell top with it, and high black sandals.

Something like this.

Its the photo with the zip down?

Deep V at the back, as low as you can go - you don't need an insert, or lacing or anything weird. It wouldn't be hard to do. You'd have to get a waist bra thing.

Springydaf yes that’s the zip down. I may just wear it like that!

I think it looks gorgeous on you as it is. Lovely figure.

My local dry cleaner does alterations...10 to 30£ for a dress depending what is done.

I’d leave the zip open to below the waist, safety pin 3 or 4 strips of elastic across the gap, especially at waist and neckline, and pur a cardigan over the top....
Then make sure you always have your back to the wall!

*put