Dress alterations

[whattodo87]

I've just bought a lovely, floaty dress from a charity shop at a bargain price of £12 !
It's not a high street brand, and the dresses are for sale new @ £80.

The problem is that it's a size 12 and I'm probably closer to a 10.

The bottom half is fine, due to the style, but the top half is a little big. It has a side zip fastening and a cross over top so not sure how easy it would be to alter.

I can pop into town to ask at my local alterations shop, or should I just return it bc it won't be possible to alter ?

Thanks 🙏

I think you've got a nerve trying to return a dress you paid £12 for from a charity shop.

It should be possible to alter. Try it on with your best/most suitable bra, as this can make a difference to the fit.

Charity shops give refunds just like any other shop. They’re shops. Not large shop-shaped collecting tins.

You do know there's no right to get a refund from any shop where you've bought goods in person, unless the goods are faulty? Changing your mind because you don't like them or they don't fit doesn't make goods "faulty"

Perhaps charity shops do give refunds. I don't know. I personally wouldn't ask for a refund for something bought for £12 in a charity shop.

Erm, I suppose the only way to know is to go to the alterations shop and ask. I don't think anyone on MN can decide without seeing the dress, knowing the fabric and the type of work needed.

Thanks for the replies.

Not sure what I was expecting regarding replies, as only a seamstress on seeing the dress would know if it was possible ☺️

As for the comment re. returning the dress to the charity shop ... I give to charity all the time, I buy from charity for myself, and my family, all the time so my conscience is clear is asking for a refund 🙏

And I was unable to try the dress on in the shop, so I did ask them if I could return it if it wasn't suitable ☺️

The post was more about looking for people who have items altered rather than the morale judgment on taking money from charity shops 🙄

I did also buy a fabulous pair of shoes to go with said dress, but I'll be keeping these regardless ... I'll now wait for the judgment on buying second hand shoes but I'll be sure to flash wipe them before wearing them ☺️

If you post a photo it's possible someone with the relevant skills will reply.

I don't see any issue with returning something to a charity shop. They benefit from not having to pay the same business rates as "normal" shops even though they are in competition with them, thereby forcing out some small businesses from the high street. Why shouldn't they offer returns when they operate as normal businesses in all other respects and are, for all intents and purposes, "normal" shops?

Fair enough but taking it to a dressmaker will get you the answer. I'm sure it can be altered but even the simplest alteration will be at least what you paid for it and possibly a lot more. That might be worth it, or it might not.

Yes I agree with @madeinmanc post a pic and you will get some replies where you will get some decent suggestions.

The post was more about looking for people who have items altered

Without a photo, I’m not quite sure what replies you will get?! You are hardly going to get a ‘definitely-that’s a piece of cake and will cost £20’ 😂

Try it with a slightly padded bra, that might be enough to fill it out. It probably isn't going to be easy to alter if it has a side zip and detail on the front.

I've got 2 dressmakers I use for alterations. One is a proper dressmaker nothing would be beyond her. If need be she could take the dress apart and remake it. She did that for a silk coat which dry cleaners ruined. It was amazing what she did, but that sort of work is pricey.

The other is a repairs / alternations rather than a dressmaker which I use for repairing zips/ hems etc, which is much easier and cheaper.

You've got nothing to lose taking it to a couple of shops and getting quotes.

@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle
You seem to have some weird idea about charity shops.

Many people ship there because that is all they can afford. They are not in a position to lose even a few pounds.

Sitting in your ivory tower throwing down judgement. How awful of you

Post a pic. Definitely look for a proper dressmaker (preferably recommended) who’ll say if what you’d like in altering can be done (depends on fabric etc). But it shouldn’t be hard to alter a 12 to a 10.

I agree with @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle and would not take an item back to a charity shop for a refund.

I know that some people have to do this, as they're actually struggling and they simply cannot afford to lose the money, but it doesn't sound like OP is this sort of person.

The alterations will be eye-watering, I'm sorry to say, as your seamstress will have to consult with you and fit it to you. My seamstress is great, but is very expensive.

I always use a dry cleaning seamstress for bogstandard alterations, like hems, which is very reasonable.

As others have said it’s difficult to know without seeing the dress.

But sometimes just lifting it at the shoulder seams can make a dress ‘fit’ better. Try it on and see if this would work.

Obviously, depending on the dress this could simpler than trying to take in the whole bodice.

I used to work as a seamstress. It would help if you could post a picture, but it depends on a few things how easy it would be to alter. It's always possible to take something down one size but the cost is affected by the following:
Side zip as it will need to be removed and put back in so the sides can be taken in
Does it have a waist seam?
Does it fit on the shoulders? If not then the sleeves will be to be moved as well
Is it lined? If so the work has to be done twice, once on each layer

It depends how much you love the dress, just going on what you've said and a middle case scenario, I think it will cost around £30 to get it altered so a total cost of £42ish. But it could be more if it's a tricky design or fabric (chiffon, slippery fabric, sequins etc).

Still half the cost of a new one, but you can get a new other brand dress for that so it depends on how you feel about it.

Thanks again for the replies ...
Apologises for my pointless post as without pictures how would you ever know ?!? But it was late in the evening and I suppose I was after some positive vibes 😬

Anyway - the dress can be altered so I'm

1. Still supporting a local charity,
2. Supporting a local business and
3. Get to wear a gorgeous dress which I would never ever be able to afford full price.

Have a wonderful weekend all x