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?

Just seen a video DH did. It’s awful. I’m not wearing it!

I think the blue one is a better bet OP.

The silver one is very tight in a way that IMO isn't hugely flattering. If you're so short of time that you can't go dress shopping, I don't think rushing around trying to visit seamstresses is going to be any less difficult or expensive.

The silver dress is lovely though - but why not save it for future event when you have time to sort out a solution properly (or diet into it, if that's something you'd be interested in - obviously you don't need to!).

I tried a top over the silver on and it would work really nice in that combo so I'll look into doing that ready for xmas parties.

I just don't think as a skirt it is posh enough for this event.

I prefer the second dress.

Honestly I think you can find something much nicer that fits you properly. You would be paranoid and uncomfortable all day if you find some kind of temporary solution. You are slim but it's clearly too small and your blue dress is much more flattering.

What's the event? Seperates are generally fine if dine well. I very rarely wear dresses.

Done not dine!

If this is for your birthday in 9 days time treat yourself to a better dress.
Quiz has an online shop and seeing your photos, I think one of these would be much better.
All from Quiz.
All under £50 each so definitely not expensive.

It’s for my birthday party. Centre of attention so people will notice and after seeing the dress in good lighting I can see it doesn’t fit well at all. The dark lighting in the fitting rooms are deceptive.

Take yourself over to Style & Beauty and ask for their help. I often lurk there and lust after the hundreds of beautiful frocks that they find for people

Wear a bolero over the top

Honestly, no good can ever come of wearing a bolero!

The second dress looks fab on you.

you need to add some fabric under the arms.

separate the seams, and then add a triangle shape insert, in a similar coloured fabric. this will let the top out around the boobs, and shouldn't be too noticeable.

be very careful when unpicking, and reuse the holes left behind, so there are no visible seams.

practice though, first, on another top.

Get it on ebay and get thee to Style and Beauty Hiding, nine days is plenty to find a great dress.

I think you can do much better than the two you have.

(And yes, what Shirley said about boleros).

Radical suggestion as it’s clearly too small on top .... a good seamstress might be able to cut the front from the neckline to waist and insert a v shaped panel of contrasting fabric, lace or similar.

I agree that the second dress is better.

Depends on your budget I would also look at ChiChi London and boohoo.

Boohoo have so much choice but are a little hit and miss on fabrics however you can order a few frocks, get next day delivery and return the ones you don't like for free.

Thanks ladies I appreciate the advice. I can’t afford to buy a load of dresses even if I am going to send them back. We just don’t have the money to purchase them. I have shoes coming tomorrow to try on with the second dress which is a totally different shade of blue to what it appears in that picture.

I think with the right top and shoes, the skirt version of it would be very dressy, simply because the skirt is so out there. It really would be a beautiful skirt. You just need a top like the tops of your dresses.

You could even get a sequinned one, something like this, which comes in black or silver.

www.amazon.co.uk/CHICTRY-Sleeveless-Halterneck-Sequined-Costumes/dp/B07C9632XM/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=Sequinned%2Bsleeveless%2Btop&th=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1569530897&sr=8-7

I think the skirt part would look nice with a black Bardot style plain top

You don't have to buy all of the dresses I posted (you don't have to buy any). I have to agree with @Noeuf. I'm all for getting a bargain but not one that 1. doesn't fit properly and 2. doesn't do anything for your figure. I'm not trying to be mean or rude but the second dress is far more flattering on you. The shiny dress does nothing for you.
Quiz dresses are not expensive and it's definitely worth your while browsing their website to see if there is something that is in your size that you could get delivered to your house. You could sell the bargain dress at some price between the full price and the bargain price you could offset the cost of the new dress against that.

I'd gladly take it off your hands OP, it's beautiful and such a shame it doesn't fit. Perhaps if you sell it you might be able to buy another dress?

I like it as it is with the zip down - perhaps unpick the zip to the waist and cut it off, stitching the top of the zip of course so it doesn't zoom off! The photos of the back view look really great.

You could add a belt - either very wide or very slim. It would give it a focal point.

I think it looks fab. Bargainous! Wear it and knock em dead, you look lovely.

The skirt would look amazing with that black sequin top, very dressy and suitable for a posh event?

that would save all the trouble. You would have to get someone to chop it off though. I'd do it for you if you were close enough?

I’d like is as a skirt and I’d wear at it at Christmas with a cream fluffy jumper - it would be nice with a mixture of textures to set off how shiny it is