Can this dress be shortened or should I give up and send back?

[Howaboutthisone]

I've tried this on and LOVE it! Apart from the fact that it comes to a third of the way down my calves and looks far better finishing on my knees. I love the neckline which is a first fore as I can't usually find things that are quite right. It's in one piece of material so no apparent seam between top and bottom parts. It's a mock wrap over so the very front of the dress has one part on top of the other iyswim. You can see this just about if you zoom in on the photo. I'm just shy of 5ft4 and they don't do a petite version.

Is it just the length that you need to have adjusted? if so, then yes it can definitely be shortened. I am 5 foot 1, and I regularly get dresses similar to that shortened by my local dry cleaner. The fit on Phase Eight knee length stretchy dresses is good for me, but they're always 4 inches or so too long.

Just the length yes- fits great elsewhere. Have you had any of the wrap style ones shortened?

I should have said that the wrap over part is on the bottom on the dress too.

I don't get why it would be a problem

Oh hang is the top layer cut at an angle?

Yes- this! It comes across the front at an angle. It's quite difficult to see on the photo sorry!

Well I expect it can be done, but really I would try and find something else that fits you better.

This might sound rude but it is not intended as I am quite short myself. If the dress is long in length is the waist too long also? That is to say would the dress become unbalanced if you were to shorten it? Get someone to pin up the hem and then look at it in a full length mirror. The pins will not cause any harm to the dress.

That's the thing Elephant. I can see what you mean but it's great everywhere apart from the length and when I've folded it up to knee length it looks great.
Maybe I should take it to someone who does these things and ask them. I haven't really had anything altered before though so not sure where to start!

I take your point Hugo. I just don't usually find things that fit nicely across the bust with a flattering neckline, with nicely short sleeves and flattering elsewhere. Dresses have made me feel really conscious of my tummy after having kids but I just feel good in this one- that doesn't happen often!

It can still be shortened if it is as described. Maybe try an alteration hand that does bridal etc instead of a dry cleaners,

Howabout Ok this is what you do..............find a friend, DH, DS or DD. Stand on a table, or stool. Nominated person puts pins in at specified length. Either you turn around or the nominated person works around you. Either way you turn around slowly when the pinning is finished with nominated person keeping eye level at the hem and adjusting pins as necessary. If required part 2 -tacking, then part- 3 ironing and finally part - 4 hemming could follow

stand i riser higher on a stair-safer. Anything can be shortened IMO and having done 100s for my short dd . Pin up evenly all around and taper off the new hem at the cross over if it is not a straight line.

Thanks all! This makes me hopeful and happy!

What is the fabric?

If the fabric is stretchy, I don't recommend shortening it yourself if you're not used to alterations. Take it to a tailor or dry cleaning shop and ask for a quote, it should be very straightforward and you can even leave the tags on until you've decided whether you want to go for it.

It is a stretchy material. Yes- a visit to an alteration place sounds like a good plan. Thank you!