Help! Is it possible to make this dress longer? Or any other ideas?

[silver1977]

www.johnlewis.com/coast-anya-3d-dress-pale-lilac/p1854108

I took a risk and brought this off ebay to wear as a wedding guest. It is brand new and fits lovely apart from the length, it could do with being about 2 inches longer!

I am 5ft 9in and I 'researched' the length before I purchased it. On the John Lewis website it clearly states "34 inches from underarm to hem", well I have measured mine and it is only 29! Really odd as it is the exact same dress.

Has anyone any ideas? As the skirt part is so detailed it would be hard to add anything to the bottom? There is no hem on the lining or the dress that could be let down.

I have googled and some people have added material or even feathers! I am happy to pay a seamstress to do something if it is worth it.

I love the colour and fit everywhere else so it's a shame. Any ideas greatly appreciated!...

Can you wear big knickers and a confident grin? Would be awful to spoil it!

Message JL and ask for a replacement, one that is 34?

Oblomov19 I didn't buy it from John Lewis, I just linked their picture as it showed a model wearing it. I took a risk and brought it new from ebay. I checked the length on JL website.

Teenytinyvoice

You could add some wide lace. Or maybe wide satin ribbon the same colour as the belt.

You could chop it in half, and add something to the middle in the waist band, or a ribbon on the bottom. I think the waist band would look better, but is harder to do well.

You’re going to find it hard to do something that will match the colour.
Maybe extend the lining by cutting and inserting a strip of fabric under the skirt where it won’t be seen. But it might look like your “slip” has dropped down.

Maybe a tulle petticoat in a bright contrasting colour - the opposite of this

It's very pretty. Have you bought an original?

Increase the waist band or purchase another identical dress and add something that way.

Hi OP, it's difficult to see from the picture, but would it be an option to change the ribbon (?) around the neckline for a longer one which would mean the dress would sit slightly lower?

Can you match up the waist ribbon and add it to the hem. If its brand new are there product descriptions from the seller. If its not as described send it back.

I would insert a sliver band at the waist as there is a silver detail on neck. It would be difficult to match the colour so best do something different. Bit like this.

A longer underskirt/petticoat and matching belt and small detail in the same fabric on the neckline to make the contrasting colour look deliberate.

Wow some fab ideas, thankyou all. The seller didn't state the length, I just looked it up online to save troubling them. I don't feel I can send it back as she didn't make a mistake on anything. It is an original, usual Coast quality and tags etc. I could tell the length on the model looked ok and she is the same height as me. I must have longer legs or something??

I like Chottie's idea actually, it may be easier to make the shoulder straps longer, there is plenty of room for the dress to go down lower as the neck is high enough.

Also maybe an option to match the waistband ribbon to add to the hem. I think a trip to John Lewis or hobbycraft is in order!

Thanks everyone.

You can add something like a tulle underskirt. Not exactly that puffy but only a little bit in the bottom.

Hope you figure something out. I'd go for a light satin type underskirt I think, perhaps with a scallopped edge. Probably aim to extend the length by more than the 2 inches you need, if you do it this way - enough so it is very clearly deliberate.