How to wear a wrap dress without flashing (short woman problems)

[famousforwrongreason]

How do you wear a wrap dress when you're short ?

I don't tend to buy new so petite specific clothes don't really work for me as they're hard to come by second hand in styles I like.
If something is strappy/ sleeveless it's very easy to alter but I can't find a nice easy way to adjust a wrap dress without making it frumpy, extra bulky or just prone to popping open.
I'm quite busty but wrap style dresses really suit my shape but without any extra help they're prone to gape and far too low cut.
I don't want to be a complete breasticle in the daytime, maybe for nights out I don't mind so much but my kids are at the age where they want me covered up to the neck so I want to find a way that's decent for work and daytime.

I have tried:

1 brooches and press studs (see 'popping open')

2 cami tops (adds more bulk and immediate
frumpery, plus extra lines where the top ends)

3 any kind of slip / shape wear (again adds more bulk, ruins the waistline and ii don't need extra inches)

4 sewing in / on extra fabric such as lace (just looks like an add on, is time consuming and extra expense, plus grump factor, but is best option so far)
I've watched aand read various online how to posts but they all look like something I've already tried or are just horrible 'hacks'

@QuentinWinters

older please do a blog! I'm v fed up with clothes not fitting and would love to know how to do basic alterations

HAHA - you have me thinking now! I do still work full time in the fashion industry but I will give it some thought ......

@JennyWren

Is the problem partly because the dress is not designed for a shorter person - your torso is going to be shorter than the target wearer, so the straps will be lower. Instead of pinning the centre where it crosses over, you could try pinning edge of the the first side to the inside of the crossover flap side underneath your armpit. Then when you do the crossover the neckline will sit higher up. The ideal would be to restitch the ties to a higher position but the dress design may not make that easy.

Yes I definitely think height / length makes a big difference, despite others' experience, things are cut to a standard, I'm at least a quarter less than the standard, my neck, everything is shorter, wheen. I buy loong dangly earrings they actually sit on my shoulders sometimes as opposed to other wearers! Grest tip, thank you

@MoltonSilver

I see you have mobility issues. A crop top probably wouldn't work then. How about a modesty panel? ]] but you can get nicer ones, without the lace.

Interesting, I could easily make that! Thanks

[quote olderandwisernot]@famousforwrongreason I am only too glad to help! I have altered my clothes for as long as I can remember, I sew, alter, make (have done professionally and for hobby) and have worked with clothing (luxury end) for over 25 years. Unfortunately, we are all different shapes and sizes and one size definetly doesn't fit all!! Luckily, most clothing is made simply these days, although no seam allowance...grrrr... If you want any other help with regards to alterations, just let me know. Might not have all the answers but I will certainly try!!![/quote]
Amazing, thanks, I bet you have fantastic skills. Another question, feel free to ignore, turning round necks / high necks into Vs.
I always make a mess of the actual point of the V. Again, because of my odd shape, high necks really enhance the bits I want to hide and Vs are much more flattering, hence part of the reason the wrap works so well for me (when it fits!)

Google: 'adjust wrap dress neckline' and watch some videos on how to tie properly.

@thisenglishlife

Google: 'adjust wrap dress neckline' and watch some videos on how to tie properly.

Thank you, I did watch some vids prior to posting this thread and they were filled with terrible ideas 'hacks' . Maybe I was using the wrong search term!

Wrap dresses are very overrated. They always require jiggery pokery to get them to where they need to be. They’re not as good as they think they are.

@famousforwrongreason aaah making a high neck into a v. This is not easy, as you def need interfacing and you will need to top stich the underside to stop the lining rolling outwards and showing. It also needs clipping very carefully at the V to lie flat. A SCOOP would be just as flattering and easier maybe? I have also bought the neckline down on a soft top by gathering slightly in the middle? (if the style lends itself?) I do not like round necks as I look all bust like the back of a sofa! I would steer clear of trying to alter into a v . Sorry - not helpful I know!

Shopping at Bravissimo works for me - their clothes are cut to fit larger busts and while not perfect are a huge improvement.

I just wear a contrasting good quality pretty bra. So no big deal if it shows from time to time. It’s only those with greying white that need worry!

[quote olderandwisernot]@famousforwrongreason aaah making a high neck into a v. This is not easy, as you def need interfacing and you will need to top stich the underside to stop the lining rolling outwards and showing. It also needs clipping very carefully at the V to lie flat. A SCOOP would be just as flattering and easier maybe? I have also bought the neckline down on a soft top by gathering slightly in the middle? (if the style lends itself?) I do not like round necks as I look all bust like the back of a sofa! I would steer clear of trying to alter into a v . Sorry - not helpful I know![/quote]
Back of a sofa but yes, it's true!
Thanks that's good to know that it's not just me being cackhanded with the V transition

@StarlightLady

I just wear a contrasting good quality pretty bra. So no big deal if it shows from time to time. It’s only those with greying white that need worry!

Well... I never buy white underwear because I can't stand the inevitable greying. I love underwear and all mine is colourful and beautiful, so maybe I'm ok to let the bra show... But not at work and not with my kids!

@SarahBellam

Wrap dresses are very overrated. They always require jiggery pokery to get them to where they need to be. They’re not as good as they think they are.

Ideas above their station. All fur coat and no knickers

I think a hook and eye or even a ribbon tie to hold the under layer of the wrap to the inside seam (or wherever you want it to be for the perfect neckline fall) is really helpful - for me, it's not the top layer thats the issue because that's held in place by the side tie, but the under layer just wiggles out of place and that's what makes the gape. You don't want to hold it to the waist but a bit higher up.

For daytime/work I wear a vest top underneath so no flashing, agree it looks a bit fussy but dont want to over reveal.

In evening I would wear without a vest, as doesnt flash enough to be an issue then

@famousforwrongreason - I fully understand the work comment, there are things l do differently for work. But outside of work, it’s true, some pretty bras are just too good to hide.

Forget wrap dresses. I once had a wrap skirt held by a single button. Button pinged off and skirt did helter skelter twirl to ground in midfle of a shop!

@StarlightLady

Forget wrap dresses. I once had a wrap skirt held by a single button. Button pinged off and skirt did helter skelter twirl to ground in midfle of a shop!

Oh god. Mortifying! I had some beautiful 70s wrap skirts for years and I could never make them work. Wish I'd kept them now for the fabric.

I had a great wrap dress some years ago from Matalan, with a false wrap top. I wore that dress 100 times at least.

At the moment I have a Wallis petite wrap dress I bought on eBay. I think it is from the Louise Redknapp collection!

I feel the pain of being small and trying to find dresses (or anything) to fit. My problem is being short from shoulder to waist, which results in a big lump of material bulging at the back. Also shoulders being too big and sloping off me. Not to mention the sleeves for gibbons.

You can buy something called a 'modesty panel' (very Handmaiden's tale...) that attaches to your bra and covers up cleavage without being bulky.

Wrap dresses only really suit pear shaped women with small boobs. I invariably look like a stripper in them so have given up.

@MarioPuzo - What a carry on to go through. It’s like having a second face mask on your boobs! I’ll just let the bra show thanks!

I wear a tight crop top over my bra. Mine are from Primark