Need advice re: adding straps or cap sleeves to a dress

ernursej

I bought a dress (absolutely love it ... and it has pockets!!) and I'm toying with the idea of adding straps or capped sleeves. If there is anyone with experience in doing this, I'm looking for advice. Did you come to your alterations appointment with pictures or ideas? Did you use the extra fabric from shortening your dress? Anything I should be aware of or expecting? 

Dress is David's Bridal WG3512 

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_lace-ball-gown-with-intricate-embroidered-details-wg3512

***I don't necessarily have make these alterations (I'm not having wedding in a location that requires straps or sleeves) but I've always hated seeing strapless dresses being hiked up all evening or brides complaining of how tight their dress is to keep it from moving. 

Thanks in advance!

SquirttheTurtle

I'm having straps added to my strapless dress.  I ordered extra lace from the designer and my seamstress is custom making a strap/cap.  Find out if this is an option (or if you feel that enough material from hemming will make adequate straps/cap a talented seamstress should be able to help).  

Your dress is gorgeous by the way. 

Casadena

personally, I don't think I it would look nearly as nice with straps.  if it fits you well (and alteration will help with this) then you shouldn't have to hike it up all night or have it extremely tight. 

kimmiinthemitten

First, I'd review my local David's Bridal to make sure their onsite seamstress has good reviews. I'd hate for you to fall in love with this idea only for some shoddy work to ruin it. 

The challenge I think you'll have is that the straps would look best if they matched the bodice, and that's not the same fabric on the skirt. Wait and try it on in your size with your proper undergarments. If you're still on the fence, find an amazing seamstress and discuss it with them. 

ernursej

Thanks everyone for the replies. Appreciated.

@MrsRobby16 thanks! I fell in love with how simple it was, but have loved all the extra details that I've found when I tried on my actual gown. There is this lovely detail of lace going from right shoulder to left of bodice ... absolutely lovely! The pockets mean that I can carry tissue and my epi pen. Couldn't be happier! I'm short and I ordered the extra length gown for this very reason. I know that the length could be used for straps/caps, for trim on a veil, 'ribbon' on my bouquet ... or just put into my fabric strap pile!

@Casadena even with alterations, I've seen numerous brides have issues with hiking up or being too tight. Perhaps their didn't have the best alterations ... I think that with the right type of straps or caps it could look okay, but I appreciate the perspective. At the bottom of the link from my original post, there are several real brides who have posted their version of the dress. It looks like at least one bride has added a little bolero jacket and another has added straps. I will have to do some thinking about how tight the dress would need to be for no movement vs. adding straps/caps and how that changes the look of the dress.

@kimmiinthemitten Excellent advice. I won't be using David's for alterations as they don't have great reviews in my area. I've got the names of two ladies who have done wedding dress alterations for my friends. The bodice and skirt are actually the same lace, I think you may be seeing a small pattern going from right shoulder to left of bodice and the fact that the main lace goes in a slightly different direction than on the skirt. I have my actual dress and tried it on yesterday. Won't need a bra or corset as it has a built in and I'm small chested. I'm sure that every bride feels some relief to have their own dress ... it felt wonderful for me to have it hanging in my parents' closet. It will need alterations (hemming so I won't trip and taking in at the bust area). I'm not determined to get straps/cap sleeves, but I wanted to investigate the option. I was hoping that knotties might have suggestions for specific questions to ask or how to approach the idea. 

artbyallie

Since it's DB, they should actually have sleeves/straps that can be easily added to most of their dresses. I used some of their cap sleeves on my dress. I can't find them on the website right now though.

ernursej

Thanks @artbyallie. The specific dress I purchased did not have this option, but that was one of my first ideas!

cgss11

This was my dress! So naturally, I love it. That said, I think the only way to add anything would be to use some extra fabric from the dress itself, like the hem of you shorten. The fabric/lace is unique (almost cotton/gauze like), that I think anything else would look out of place. 

You will love having the pockets!!

ernursej

@cgss11 it is such a beautiful dress! I'm happy to know someone else that has worn it I should have lots of fabric from the bottom, so that will be my straps/caps if I decide to go that route.

labro

I just have to go with previous PPs. A dress that's properly fitted and with the correct undergarments (if any) should NOT have to be hiked up, or too tightly fitted. I've seen the exact issue you're talking about and the problem was because of fit, 100%. I was unsure about a strapless dress until I had my dress altered to my figure. It fit 100% perfectly, no bulging over the top, not loose/falling down, and I didn't touch at all that night. I never even felt that semi-unconscious urge to hike up my dress or tug on it in anyway. Wait and talk to a seamstress. I've added straps to formal gowns before and in hindsight...I would have been better off fixing the fit issues versus solving the problem with straps.

kylexo

i tried that dress on a couple of weeks ago! gorgeous dress (the lace is SOOOO pretty) but unfortunately not made for my body type. @labro is right, definitely talk to someone first about making the dress the right fit before adding straps, they may be unnecessary.

ernursej

Thanks @labro and @kylexo. I've made my appointment at two different dress tailors to get an opinion and a quote. I tried my dress on again and absolutely love it. Feeling like a bride!

cgss11

I agree with the others that if its tailored correct, you won't feel like you need straps. Mine didn't move all night, and I didn't look bulging out in the pictures. 

Are you wearing a crinoline under? One thing for me, when they hemmed it they took the under layers up a few extra inches so it was just the top lace layer all the down, to highlight that fabric a little more. I don't know if that's standard or not, but it looked really nice. 

ernursej

@cgss11 - thanks! No crinoline. I didn't want the extra volume but I can envision what you did and it would look lovely.