Oh the TERROR of needing major alterations.

lilamae217

I just picked up my dress this week. It's a gorgeous dress, as you can see in the pics below. But I am realizing that I am going to need MAJOR alterations. The dress is very low in the back and after trying on many, many different bra types with it (strapless, strapless corset-style, convertable bra, regular bra altered with lowering straps, no bra, silicone adhesive bra, boob tape) I've found that I cannot wear this dress without a regular bra. I am a 36G , 5'11", and I am 40 years old, btw, if that paints you a better picture. I am going to have to have the back raised somehow.

I have an alterations appointment scheduled for August 19. My wedding is September 13. I am terrified of what the seamstress is going to tell me when she sees this dress and what I need done to it. It's a 2 layer dress with a satin spaghetti strap underlay (and oh my does that material show every pucker). The satin underlay cannot just be raised by shortening the straps because that would raise the hem of the dress. The only thing I can think of is if the train fabric were to be cut off and used as extra fabric to be sewn on to the top somehow (I was going to have the train cut off anyway). Looking at the dress - in my admittedly panicked mind - this seems inconceivable.

I don't know what is and isn't possible to be done to a wedding dress and I am really scared. The back is not the only thing I need altered. It was purposely ordered in a larger size in order to be altered down, so the waist has to be brought in as well as the thigh area to bring it back to the mermaid style it's supposed to be. I've tried calling the seamstress to explain my situation but she is on vacation until the 11th.

I'm asking any seamstresses out there or anyone who has had major dress alterations to please offer me suggestions or advice on what my options might be. I don't care what the cost is. I would be willing to go to extremes like change out the underlay completely, change the underlay into a skirt and add a different top part underneath, or whatever else anyone can come up with

Thank you in advance for your help.

-Melissa

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missdelilah

The dress is gorgeous.  Have you thought about having your dressmaker put cups in to the dress for you, or will they not be supportive enough?  The community here had a bit of a discussion about bras for low backed dresses last week.  It might be worthwhile checking it out: http://forums.theknot.com/discussion/1034690/possible-bra-option-for-my-dress#latest

Good luck!

lilamae217

Heh, well....I'm thinking unless those cups are made of steel and sewn surgically to my body, there is no way they are going to support what I have. That's not bragging, mind you! It's fun to be 20 and have big boobs but being 40 with bog boobs is another story. Gravity is not your friend.

missdelilah

Lol. I assumed you may have that issue. And yes; I understand that in the long term it's probably better not be busty. Less stress on the back too. Did that underwear thread help at all?

lilamae217

Oh how I wish I could wear the Target sticky bra. But it only goes up to a D. I'm afraid if I tried to use it there might be an explosion later.

missdelilah

Well, other brands make sticky bras as well, but I wonder how much support you'd get from them.

missdelilah

Wait. Is the slip attached to the dress? Could you swap it out for a different slip with thicker straps? That would give you greater bra options.

hyechica81

i feel your pain i have smaller boobs but since i am plus size i have a wider band size 42 b/c cup but for long line bras i needed like a 44/48 but those were tight on the bottom and huge at the top in the b or c cups i ended up getting cups sewn in and they offered a good amount of coverage and my boobs did not move at all 

lilamae217

@missdelilah That is what I'm thinking I might have to do. But where would I find an underlay?

Ven&Radio

I wear a 42D bra and had cups sewn into my dress.  I found them surprisingly supportive.

I'm sure a skilled seamstress will be able to make the dress work perfectly for you.

missdelilah

lilamae217 I'm sure it would depend on how fussy you were about the silhouette being a match to that of the original slip.  You could get one made, or perhaps ask your seamstress to add some fabric to the straps of the one that comes with the dress.  

QueerFemme

There are low back longline bras.

xyentruocx

I think you may be surprised with the amount of support the cups they put in may offer. And if it wasn't enough I wonder if you could do their added cups (they've got them in varying thickness) in addition to an adhesive bra...? Just brainstorming here - my boobs are so small that I need cups added into my dress just to fill it out because there's WAAAY too much extra room, lol

jensilva13

Gorgeous, classy dress!

I like the post right before mine about doubling up. That just might do the trick.

I'm on a similar time frame with my dress and bra situation so I feel your pain. I'm crossing my fingers for you!

Many people have also suggested sewing in cups. Where can you buy those, or is that something a good seamstress will just have?

luckya23

They sell the cups at Joann Fabrics.