To Alter or Not to Alter

Miss Golightly · Jul 20, 2012

That is the question that I thought you ladies might be able to help me with! I got this lovely Parnes Feinstein dress some time ago but haven't worn it as yet as I'm not sure whether to alter it and if so what needs to be done.

I believe a lot of dresses from say the early 1960s have a kind of loose blouse over the skirt of the dress - that it sits loosely and isn't form fitting - it has some pleating - I think this dress may fall into that catagory:

The thing is, when I put it on I'm happy with the waist/length but find that the back of the dress seems quite loose and baggy but the side of the dress seem fine (again they have a slightly looser fit and aren't tight) - so the question is - should I get the back of the dress taken in and maybe the sides too or would this detract from the dress (I think the back would definitely need to be done as it's very, very billowy!).

Any help would be greatly appreciated - thank you!

crwritt · Jul 20, 2012

Miss Golightly said:
That is the question that I thought you ladies might be able to help me with! I got this lovely Parnes Feinstein dress some time ago but haven't worn it as yet as I'm not sure whether to alter it and if so what needs to be done.

I believe a lot of dresses from say the early 1960s have a kind of loose blouse over the skirt of the dress - that it sits loosely and isn't form fitting - it has some pleating - I think this dress may fall into that catagory:

The thing is, when I put it on I'm happy with the waist/length but find that the back of the dress seems quite loose and baggy but the side of the dress seem fine (again they have a slightly looser fit and aren't tight) - so the question is - should I get the back of the dress taken in and maybe the sides too or would this detract from the dress (I think the back would definitely need to be done as it's very, very billowy!).

Any help would be greatly appreciated - thank you!

If you're not happy with the fit you probably won't wear it. Even if the original design is supposed to have a lot of ease, if that doesn't appeal to you or flatter you, maybe this dress is not for you?

Miss Golightly · Jul 20, 2012

crwritt said:
If you're not happy with the fit you probably won't wear it. Even if the original design is supposed to have a lot of ease, if that doesn't appeal to you or flatter you, maybe this dress is not for you?

No - I love dress and I'm happy with it overall - it's just the back is billowing not at the small of my back but nearer to the shoulder blades - I think it could be taken in (I've had this done on one or two dresses with great success) but I think it's more a case of whether I do anything with the sides of the dress or maybe leave it till the back is done and then see? I have a few 60's dresses with the pencil skirt and the blousey top and they are fine (no back issues) but this one is slightly different and is less blousy if that makes any sense?

Frenchy56 · Jul 20, 2012

Fabulous dress!

In my opinion- and echoing the previous poster - you should ask yourself if you are ever going to *happily* wear it as is. If the answer is no, then you have nothing to lose by having it altered. And I'm guessing that whoever you take it to will have you try it on and pin before they do anything, so you can see how taking it the back would affect the look of the rest of the dress.

Miss Golightly · Jul 20, 2012

Thanks Frenchy!

Well I don't think I could wear it as it is - reckon I could fit a small backpack in there (!) so I think I will get the back taken in and see how it goes from there. I have a good tailor who should be able to amend the back so it sits better on me - I think after that there may be no need to do anything further with it. I was just curious as to why there was so much fabric there - is that to do with the bust size on the dress - that if your bust is smaller than the dress that it billows? Thought some of the ladies with dress-making experience might confirm or explain....

I don't mind the blousy top style at all - in fact I think it's quite flattering - in fact I bought a black dress a year ago or thereabouts and when I first tried it on I didn't like it at all - then recently (with a bit more vintage knowledge) realised the top is meant to be worn looser - tried it on again and now love it - and to think I was going to sell it!!!!!!

Frenchy56 · Jul 20, 2012

Miss Golightly said:
Thanks Frenchy!

Well I don't think I could wear it as it is - reckon I could fit a small backpack in there (!) so I think I will get the back taken in and see how it goes from there.

You're welcome

I often have to force myself to make these kind of decisions! Do post again once you've had it taken in!

I'm not experienced enough in alterations to really diagnose (and without seeing the dress), but if you say the side seams are alright, then I don't think the bust has anything to do with it. If it was gaping under your arms then that would be a different issue. Is the waist fitted, or loose? I suppose you've experimented with the waist tie, though...? Just pondering.

Miss Golightly · Jul 20, 2012

Frenchy56 said:
You're welcome I often have to force myself to make these kind of decisions! Do post again once you've had it taken in!

I'm not experienced enough in alterations to really diagnose (and without seeing the dress), but if you say the side seams are alright, then I don't think the bust has anything to do with it. If it was gaping under your arms then that would be a different issue. Is the waist fitted, or loose? I suppose you've experimented with the waist tie, though...? Just pondering.

I will of course!

Yes, the side seams are fine (maybe could be taken in slightly less than an inch perhaps) and there is no gaping under the arm and the waist is perfect so it is kind of bizarre - I'd love to know if any of the other ladies have bought a dress like this - perfect everywhere else but bulking at the back.....

I put it on this afternoon after not having tried it on for some time - I put the waist tie on and had it so it sat perfectly at the front but the sagging was still quite evident at the back - I think taking it in at the back is the first thing I should do - it really is a lovely dress apart from that! I doubt the dress is badly made as it is good label (if it was something from the current High Street I would be blaming it on shoddy workmanship!).

Frenchy56 · Jul 20, 2012

Miss Golightly said:
I doubt the dress is badly made as it is good label (if it was something from the current High Street I would be blaming it on shoddy workmanship!).

I had been thinking exactly that! Good luck, anyway!

Drappa · Jul 20, 2012

Well, hard to tell without seeing it on you, but it could be that you have narrower shoulders than the dress requires, so taking it in would be a good idea.
There were certainly dresses with billowy backs. They weren't all that common, but I've seen a few patterns. This one on Etsy is perhaps more exaggerated than yours, but I've seen similar ones before: http://www.etsy.com/listing/3612339...ce=etsyaddict&utm_medium=api&utm_campaign=api

Lily Powers · Jul 21, 2012

Take it in to a tailor, try it on and show the tailor what concerns you. She can then pin it several ways so you can see all the options for the cut and fabric and how it would drape if it was taken it a certain way - in the back, the shoulders, wherever. You may decided it's best as it is, or the tailor can alter it in a way that you find more suitable. Either way, you have lovely, quality clothing that should be worn and make you happy, even if a nip and tuck is necessary (or not)!

Miss Golightly · Jul 21, 2012

Thanks again for your input Frenchy!

Drappa - I think you might be right - I do have quite narrow shoulders so this could be whats making the dress sag like that. I've seen a few dresses that have a billowy back - often in chiffon (I have a silk chiffon number with a back like that - looks great on though) but the main body of the dress is tight on if you get me?

Lily Powers - Thank you - I'll drop it into the tailor next week (hope I can take it on my hols with me!) and see what magic he can work!

Thanks again ladies!

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