Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Can I fix this dress that's a bit too big?

57 replies

Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2025 18:22

I bought this dress from Nobody's Child, but it's a bit big.
Black Cord Long Sleeve Flossie Midi Dress

I know from experience that NC won't do a return from where I live so I'm looking for a solution. Either one of those hacks they show online or possibly getting it taken in if it's worth it. Any advice?

OP posts:
TeaHagTeaBag · 17/02/2025 18:39

Where is it too big? Shoulders? Bust? All over?

TheGlamour · 17/02/2025 18:45

Surely just take it to your local / best alterations service?

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2025 18:47

TeaHagTeaBag · 17/02/2025 18:39

Where is it too big? Shoulders? Bust? All over?

I'd say around the waist, but the waist of the dress is higher than a person's natural waist if you see what I mean so I don't think that just wearing a belt would work. There are buttons going down to the waist, but I'm not sure if it would be possible just to move one of the buttons a bit. I'd like to still be able to pull it over my head without opening all the buttons each time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2025 18:48

TheGlamour · 17/02/2025 18:45

Surely just take it to your local / best alterations service?

Yes, I was just wondering if it can feasibly be done for a price that doesn't almost match the cost of the dress.

OP posts:
Waisted · 17/02/2025 18:50

It’s such a nice dress. No idea on the alterations but it is gorgeous.

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2025 19:06

Waisted · 17/02/2025 18:50

It’s such a nice dress. No idea on the alterations but it is gorgeous.

Thanks. The feedback is still useful because it means it's worth potentially paying to get it altered.
I was just wondering if I could use one of those hacks they have on YouTube when they use a bangle or a hair band or something.

OP posts:
Petrine · 17/02/2025 19:07

Do you have a sewing machine? If so it should be easy to take it in at the side seams.

kdramaqueen · 17/02/2025 19:14

If everything fits except the waist then it's quite a job as the top back and front, as well as the skirt will require adjustments.
The too big,wide 'waistband' will have to be removed and made smaller. If it is a single piece, it will have to be re-cut with the zip removed then reattached. It will be easier if it's in three pieces as the zip can remain in situ.
The gathering at bust area will then have to be adjusted to fit the smaller waistband. The skirt will also have to be regathered to fit the smaller waistband but depending on the stiffness of the fabric, this could then cause the skirt to look too full at the waist. The solution would be to narrow the skirt at the top before re-attaching to the waistband.
You are almost re-sewing the dress, minus the sleeves.

kdramaqueen · 17/02/2025 19:16

Petrine · 17/02/2025 19:07

Do you have a sewing machine? If so it should be easy to take it in at the side seams.

Wouldn't this then make it too tight in the bust area?

Londonmummy66 · 17/02/2025 19:16

If it is just the waist you could stitch a piece of fabric in the inside back waist to create a channel. Then sew a button at each end and thread through slotted elastic (like they do in school skirts) so you can pull the waist in at the back. This sort of thing https://threadandtrimmings.co.uk/collections/new-arrivals/slotted-waistbanding?srsltid=AfmBOoqE2D1xVYQ5oT784zhui3H-AZAQZ9rFew_hFq90bnGn0l3dQ2x2

zb2019 · 17/02/2025 19:17

kdramaqueen · 17/02/2025 19:14

If everything fits except the waist then it's quite a job as the top back and front, as well as the skirt will require adjustments.
The too big,wide 'waistband' will have to be removed and made smaller. If it is a single piece, it will have to be re-cut with the zip removed then reattached. It will be easier if it's in three pieces as the zip can remain in situ.
The gathering at bust area will then have to be adjusted to fit the smaller waistband. The skirt will also have to be regathered to fit the smaller waistband but depending on the stiffness of the fabric, this could then cause the skirt to look too full at the waist. The solution would be to narrow the skirt at the top before re-attaching to the waistband.
You are almost re-sewing the dress, minus the sleeves.

Alteration specialist here 🙋🏻‍♀️ I agree with the above poster. It is quite a job and you're looking at minimum £40 to alter... there's a lot of components to it

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2025 19:21

Petrine · 17/02/2025 19:07

Do you have a sewing machine? If so it should be easy to take it in at the side seams.

I can't sew to save my life!

OP posts:
Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2025 19:24

zb2019 · 17/02/2025 19:17

Alteration specialist here 🙋🏻‍♀️ I agree with the above poster. It is quite a job and you're looking at minimum £40 to alter... there's a lot of components to it

Show quote history

Thanks. It would cost about £20 to send it back to Nobody's Child so not worth spending £40 I think.

Any chance I could get some kind of belt or something or am I right that the waist of the dress is not in the right place for this?

OP posts:
whereswaldo · 17/02/2025 19:25

When I have this issue I do the safety pin and ribbon trick.

Two safety pins vertically on the inside of the waistband, a few inches apart ( or more if you want to make it much smaller) Thread a ribbon through and then pull tight and tie in a bow ( all on the inside of the dress)

The dress gathers at the bank but in nice folds the front all looks the same.

Has worked for a few things for me- would imagine you need quite big/strong safety pins for the heavy fabric.

AwakeNotThruChoice · 17/02/2025 19:25

Did you buy it for £38?

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2025 19:26

AwakeNotThruChoice · 17/02/2025 19:25

Did you buy it for £38?

The sale price shown on the website I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2025 19:26

whereswaldo · 17/02/2025 19:25

When I have this issue I do the safety pin and ribbon trick.

Two safety pins vertically on the inside of the waistband, a few inches apart ( or more if you want to make it much smaller) Thread a ribbon through and then pull tight and tie in a bow ( all on the inside of the dress)

The dress gathers at the bank but in nice folds the front all looks the same.

Has worked for a few things for me- would imagine you need quite big/strong safety pins for the heavy fabric.

Thanks. Even though it's cord, the fabric's not that thick.

OP posts:
AwakeNotThruChoice · 17/02/2025 20:16

Gwenhwyfar · 17/02/2025 19:26

The sale price shown on the website I think.

Show quote history

Bargain. If you can get it to fit. It’s lovely

Trainr · 17/02/2025 20:23

I’ve returned things for free from there, are you sure that’s not possible?

HeCharters · 17/02/2025 20:36

It doesn't look like a pull-on dress. Taking it in at the side seams should be easy.

Katrinawaves · 17/02/2025 20:37

Could you sell it on Vinted or eBay and use the money to buy the size down?

blueshoes · 17/02/2025 20:39

zb2019 · 17/02/2025 19:17

Alteration specialist here 🙋🏻‍♀️ I agree with the above poster. It is quite a job and you're looking at minimum £40 to alter... there's a lot of components to it

Show quote history

40 sounds like a steal for the amount of work described. My seamstress charges 20 just to do a skirt hem.

HeCharters · 17/02/2025 20:42

How about getting some black ribbon and adding ties?

SheridansPortSalut · 17/02/2025 20:44

It's 100% cotton - it will shrink. Wash it before considering any alterations.

kdramaqueen · 17/02/2025 20:52

I actually think the solution would be to embrace the new trend of using several belts at the same time. I've seen as many as five in some photos! They can all be black but in different textures/finishes.