Dress Alteration Tips when shopping for Prom or other Special Occasions
When purchasing gowns for prom and/or other special occasions, the price of alterations should be considered when buying that perfect dress. To help minimize that expense, I’ve compiled a list of things to consider while searching for that special dress. I hope you find them helpful.
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The most cost effective alteration, typically, is shortening (or hemming) a gown. If the dress fits great everywhere else, then go for it. Having to hem a gown is very common since manufacturers don’t know the height of every individual. The number of layers that need to be hemmed, the type of hemline, and the type of layers all affect the cost. But for the most part, it will still be the lowest cost alteration. The average cost of most hems done by Darn It, LLC, typically runs $50. Again, that’s average.
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Altering straps are a basic alteration as well. Beware when trying on the dress if the straps are “excessively” long. It generally means that the straps are meant to be crossed in the back. Still, shortening them is not an expensive alteration. So if the dress fits well, then pay the money to have the straps altered.
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Alterations of the dress in the bust and/or hips are a little more expensive as the price depends entirely upon how the dress was constructed. Not all dresses are constructed using the same techniques or materials. Therefore, some are very simple, others are not and a seamstress won’t know that until she begins deconstructing the dress. However, it still shouldn’t be a pricey alteration. The average for Darn It, LLC runs roughly $50. This is average, but it becomes pricey when the bust/hips, straps, AND hemline all have to be altered so just keep that in mind when shopping.
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The most expensive alteration is beadwork! Regardless of whether it’s on the bust, hem, or straps. When beads have to be removed (and they have to be removed) to do the alteration then stitched back on (by hand), now the price of the alteration just doubled! By the way, sequins do not fall in the same category as beadwork, so do not panic if your dress and/or bodice is made of sequins.
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BUYER BEWARE when it comes to ordering online! In my experience, I highly recommend buying from a US company (such as Amazon) where, if the dress doesn’t fit properly, it can be returned. Also, the size of the dress will be typical with American sizing. Foreign companies typically offer great pricing, but their sizing may or may not be the same size as the United States (i.e. their 3XXL might be like the US Large or their size 6 might be more like a size 2). Either way, regardless of who you purchase from online, pay close attention to their return policy!!! I cannot stress that enough. If the company says “5 day return policy”, then try that dress on ASAP and contact the company ASAP if you need to return it. Do not delay!
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Let’s say you’ve found the perfect gown but the zipper only goes as far as your waist. It’s just too small around your bust, but you love the dress. Better yet, you got it for a great price and/or it was given to you. Do not despair. These dresses can often be altered to create a corset back. I have done this type of alteration on numerous occasions and, given that the dress was a bargain, paying a little extra in alterations generally still costs less than buying a new dress.
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If the floor model gown fits great when you try it on in the store, then buy it rather than order one in the same size. Girls have experienced where sizes are mislabeled. Besides, ask if the store will give you a discount, especially if you notice that it needs any repairs due to being tried on so many times in the store. It’s very disappointing to find a dress that fits so perfectly only to have the one you ordered fit like a sack of potatoes! In this particular scenario, it would have been better to have taken the floor model that only needed a repair to the strap than to have altered the bodice because the one ordered was now too large. If you take the floor model, it will be sold to you “as is”. However, ask about their “return policy” if you order through the store. If you order it and it doesn’t fit, can you walk away from the purchase? ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS try on the dress you ordered while still in the store and NEVER, ever leave before doing so!
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IMPORTANT-- When you go to a fitting with a seamstress:
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ALWAYS take with you to every fitting the shoes and undergarments you will be wearing with the dress
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ALWAYS allow time at the final fitting to try on the dress before ever leaving the seamstress’s shop, and
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ALWAYS plan to pay the seamstress at the final fitting! (Ask if they take credit/debit cards. Larger shops generally do, but a lot of smaller shops and/or independent seamstresses do not. FYI, Darn It, LLC does NOT accept credit/debit cards.)
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