Help! Love this dress, but it's not fitting right on top!

[flawless234]

Hi everyone,

I recently found this gorgeous midi dress (see pic), and I love the style, colour, and everything! However, I'm having a bit of a dilemma. It doesn't seem to fit perfectly from the top
Is there anything I can do to make it fit better, like maybe a specific type of bra or some tailoring tricks? Or should I just give up on this dress ?

Thanks

That is not the dress for you. It’s tough when you love something that doesn’t suit you but honestly, you can find something that flatters you so much more.

I think it’s too small. Try sizing up with a strapless bra and tightening the straps. You definitely need a bra of some sort with it, I think.

It reminds me of the old bedsheets too.... But in a good way! Soft and summery.

I like it! I think it looks fine in the pic and if you love it, it would be worth trying with a plunge bra that you already own before giving up. If that makes the shape right, you could then consider trying to find a strapless plunge or one with nice enough straps.

Sorry but I agree that it’s not nice enough to bother making the alterations you’d need to make it fit properly on top. It ends at a funny length too. Throw this one back.

My opinion, as someone who makes my own clothes, the main problem is that there's too much fabric in the place I've circled purple. Which tells you that either the waist isn't sitting in the right place or the bodice is too long for you (or both). If you spin round, does the waist band sit parallel to the floor all the way round or is it riding up at the front? If its riding up, then I'd suggest sizing up so the waistband has room to drop to your natural waist. Have a feel for your bottom rib and the top of your hip bone, your waist is midway between the two, unless a garment is deliberately designed to be higher or lower than that (eg dropped waist or empire) then that's where your waist band should sit. It does look slightly high at the front to me. Once you've got the waist in the right place I then suggest taking some length out of the shoulder straps if you still have excess fabric. Up to you then if you want to close up the neckline a bit (you might want to do that if you've sized up) and put a bra on but that's a style choice rather than a fitting issue.

If you pull the straps up is it pulling your boobs into a better position? I've a couple of similar dresses, I've shortened the straps and pulled the cleavage part in with with a modesty stitch or safety pin depending on the colour fabric.

I think it looks nice as is. What is the problem with the top? Does it feel a little unsecured ?

Could you get a (well fitting/good quality) strapless bra?

Sorry OP, it doesn’t look good. That style dress isn’t designed for a bra… and you need a bra. It’s really annoying when you like something and it just doesn’t fit. The dress is designed for small boobs so the waistline should be at your waist but because you have boobs the waist line is lifted up so it’s under your boobs. Which then accentuates your tummy. Not flattering. You’ve got a lovely figure and could get something much more flattering that sits right and covers your bra.

I think you’ll end up spending a lot in alterations and it still won’t sit right. Like others I’ve stopped wearing that design - the only time I do is when I lean into the bra showing by getting a bra in a matching colour - and more like a jersey bralette with no lace - to add a layer underneath. Hard to explain something like this https://uk.organicbasics.com/products/core-rib-triangle-bralette-silver-mist but the colours and fit really need to work.

Good suggestion. It definitely needs a bra.

I think it's lovely and really suits you!
As already suggested, shorten the straps and pin/stitch the middle together.
Or if you are able to, unpick the straps and try crossing them over at the back.

It just isn’t right for you. I love the Next one linked to further up. You would be able to wear a bra with that.

Look at all the creases across the front of the skirt, either it creases really easily and will look like a rag within hours, or it’s been worn and then taken back.

I agree. I don't like it. I can't work out if it's meant to be an empire line with the skirt starting under the bust and it's not fitting properly or it's meant to sit at waist length and it's really , really not fitting properly.

I don't like the colour either. The brown stripes make it look drab.

Looks fine and lovely to me as a casual summer dress to wear to the park or over a bikini with some equally casual sandals. Guess you'd need a bra and a slightly more covered/held in style to do anything more formal. So depends what you want the dress for.

I agree, the waistline is the problem.

Where do you plan to wear this? If it's for a holiday or chucking over swim wear, then it is okay.
But there will be a much nicer dress out there for you.

I would pull the whole top up, so shorten the straps and then stitch the middle part together. So the overall effect is more up and more pulled in. It would give ya bit more space between the bottom of the bust and the top of the skirt where the gathers are.

It looks like you haven't got a bra on . If that is correct , where are your nipples ? If they are perky , then it's the dresses fault , if it's because your breasts are are not so perky , then your breasts are probably bringing the material down with them .
I think you have to have small boobs to carry that design dress off , or at least find a way of getting them to sit higher in the dress . You have a lovely figure so it's worth trying to get the fit right .

I agree. While I like a stripe, the diagonal stripe across the bodice panels is making you look really wide across the boobs. A solid colour may work better but honestly, a different neckline would suit you better.

Wonder bra do a great plunging strapless bra that you’d be able to wear under this and would make it look much better

I think you have a lovely figure but that strap element is doing nothing for you. You need wider straps and the ability to wear a bra and that style will look stunning on you.

I love the dress. Try wearing a nude coloured bra with a bit of under boob padding. I wear this style of dress a lot and a decent bra is the key to making it fit well.

Shorten the straps a little. It'll lift it up on your chest and also pull it up under your arms a little.

But as others have said, I'm not sure the shape is the right one for you. It makes you look a bit tied in the middle.

Unless you can find a decent, supportive bra to give you some lift I don't think anything will make it look quite right.

I am blessed in the norks dept and wouldn't wear a dress like this as I don't find any strapless bras give me enough supportive without being so uncomfortable that I can't wear them

If you can find such a bra then I agree the dress straps also need shortening. Or a decent seamstress might be able to cut an inch or two of length off the bottom and use the material to make wider straps and then you can wear a normal bra?

There are some lovely striped dresses on Etsy to wear with a bra. Like this one, the front detail is so flattering.
SUMMER STRIPE Linen Sundress – White Blue Gray Striped Midi Dress With Pockets, Elegant Boho Country Outfit, Romantic Casual Summer Dress - Etsy UK