Can a Wedding Dress Be Let Out 1 Size
Alterations Question - Letting "OUT"
So I got an email from DB letting me know my dress is in! My first fitting is on Tuesday!
While I should be looking forward to this, I am honestly DREADING it. I tried on a size 16 on shopping day and it was a little tight, but I figured I'd loose some weight. Well, that hasn't really happened. I haven't gained, but I haven't lost either.
I'm almost 100% sure when I try it on it's going to be TOO TIGHT. Someone told me they can't let a dress OUT, is that right?! I'm kind of freaking out here.
Not to mention my MOH tried on a size on shopping day and it fit her perfect, when she got the same size she ordered it was tight (she hasn't gained any weight). So maybe the sample dress was kind of "stretched out."
I'm going to cry if the size 16 sample I tried on was "stretched out" and my size 16 is so tight I can't zip it!
(almost in tears).
31 Comments
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Source: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/alterations-question-letting-out/657208dc6cd81eec.html
Super September 2010
\m/ ^ ^ \m/ ·
W/ your MOH: if she tried something on in shop & it fit but the newly ordered was too tight, it's because those dresses in that shop have been stretched out somewhat from being tried on. a new dress, i'd need a 16W. my dress is being bought in shop & had been tried on no telling how many times and its a 14W. Slightly tight across my chest and tummy but I want to lose maybe 5-10 lbs and ton up a bit before 9/25. I've been thinking of fasting for 20 days. Do to this I'll need to live with my sister (who fasts often) because I'd fail at home.
@ being taken out: probably not possible since they measure it to the exact size. they could "add" fabric probably, but this may be a little more costly. i'm not for sure. call DB and ask them. i am using DB also, that's how I learned about the sizes in the store being slightly different from the wear of the new dresses you order.
good luck!
Expert October 2010
Amanda ·
To my knowledge I thought a dress can be taken out but it is very Expensive and can only come out just a little.
Expert October 2010
Amanda ·
On a Side note did you try the dress on with any under under garments they will work wonders if you need to suck in a few loose pounds.
Master October 2010
ERH ·
It really depends on the material and cut. Some have more extra seam allowance than others. Depending on the style, maybe you can have a corset back put in! That always adds a little extra room. Good luck!
Master May 2011
I would call and ask them. I don't really know for sure. I know a lot of girls like the idea of a corset top so that you can tighten or loosen it to accommodate a bit of change in your weight. I'm guessing this one isn't made like that.
Expert August 2010
Crystal ·
No corset back
Another one of the dresses I liked had the corset back, but the one I chose does not. I'm hoping when I put on my Spanx it'll help but I'm just going to be stressing until Tuesday. Ugh. Here's the sample on shopping day. It doesn't LOOK tight but I could barely breathe and it was pinching my underarms.
VIP July 2010
Michele ·
It really depends on the cut of the dress and where you carry your weight. I'm a big girl and have a tendency to gain weight on my hips/thighs, so I bought a dress where it won't matter if I gain 5 pounds before the wedding. If your dress is like this, you may not have too much to be concerned about.
Letting a dress out can be tricky. Again, it depends on the cut of the dress. I would say most can be let out a very small amount, more like an easement than anything else. But, as suggested above, perhaps asking to have a corset back put might be a valid option?
Expert August 2010
Crystal ·
Back view
Super September 2010
\m/ ^ ^ \m/ ·
I tried on that same dress!!!
For your next sitting, take your spanx, bra, hose, anyhting that you're wearing to "hold you in" so that you can see what the dress feels like then. I got my bustier from DB... I need my undies part to go over my belly and meet with the bustier so that it holds me in more. I am mainly worried about my hips, belly and arms. my arms are 100% exposed because its strapless. but my hips and belly can be flatted with the right garments. I am not wearing panty hose. But tight undies (I don't know what the kind are that has the thigh & upper belly part) lol. But I'll have on all of that beneath mine and it should make it feel slightly better. So I'd say trying it all on, together, before alternating anything because if your wearing something to hold u in and get it let out it then might be slightly too loose.
Expert August 2010
Crystal ·
It was the tightest around my chest/underarms.
Snd my tummy (hoping Spanx might help that)
Master December 2009
JJ ·
Ok, you have a couple of months to tone up, drink water, do lots of cardio, eat fiber, veggies, and citric fruits and avoid carbs, processed foods, and red meat. Making the dress into corset will help--they add an extra panel of cloth and that will give you more room, if it comes to that. I've heard quotes to convert a zipper to a corset back from $50-150.
GL
Master July 2010
Nicci ·
To my knowledge you can only take a dress OUT like 3/4 of an inch. They kept telling me if anything felt tight to order a size bigger and get it taken IN. I'm sorry :-( Don't stress! Good luck!
Devoted October 2010
My problem is my dress is too tight in the chest area. Fits perfectly everywhere else besides the chest. I've always been large chested on top. When I try my dress on again I'll have to make sure I have my correct under garments.
Master July 2010
I dont believe you can, I agree I would look into converting the dress to a corset back. If that not an option try to lose some weight/tone up, you have some time
Good Luck
Expert September 2010
Kristen ·
Try not to stress! Most dresses are made with *some* extra fabric; like Nicci said, there's usually 3/4" of wiggle room. I had to get a bridesmaid dress taken out last year in the chest area, and the seamstress did a fantastic job.
Expert July 2010
Kris ·
I had mine let out. I gained friggen 8 pounds and it became too tight =(
It cost 65 to do and fits really well now. It really isn't a big deal. I was like a month and a half away from the wedding and would rather risk losing the weight and having it a little baggy as opposed to it not zipping up. If you have more than 2 months I would work on losing the weight you want to lose since a seamstress really shouldn't need to have your dress for very long to alter it.
Michelle ·
I have been told by a few different alterations people that if your dress has a side seem, the general rule of thumb is that they can let your dress out up to 2 inches per seam. You should be able to look on the inside of your dress and see if there is material there, or take it to an alterations person before you let yourself get too nervous!
Super July 2010
MRW82584 ·
Well I know on my dress they cannot let it out. The alterations lady was at the shop when I was trying my dress on and when I asked her she looked at me like I was crazy and was all "no no no that dress cannot be let out". So I was INSANELY worried that my dress wouldn't fit when I did my first fitting in April. (I bought it in November before thanksgiving and Christmas dinners!) Lucky enough I had been worried enough about it and started driving a TON of water and just doing little stuff to lose a few pounds it fit better then when I originally got it. I would say do your fitting on Tuesday and if it doesn't fit or doesn't fit right Don't lose it just start drinking alot of water and just doing little stuff (taking the stairs anywhere you go, eating half portions etc).
Master February 2010
The Awesome Thief ·
It really depends on the dress. You can let them out a little. We could do it to mine but we still had to add the corset back. I would ask them and a seamstress if it is possible.
Susan E. Lanzara ·
Most can be let out. Some of the problems you run into letting out rather than taking in are:
Not enough seam allowance to let out enough.
If it is silk you cannot, completely, get the needle holes out from the old seam.
If there is lace, trim, embroidery etc. there may not be enough to cover where it was let out.
Most seam allowances are 5/8" to 1". It depends on the designer - generally the more expensive dresses have more seam allowance. If you have a gown with side seams that are 1" you could safely make it a 1/2" seam. That would give you 2 inches. If you could only decrease the seam allowance by 1/4" that would still give you an inch.
I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure something can be done - panels at the side seams or a corset back (I would go with the corset back if it can't be let out. Looking at your photos the only problem I can see is that the lace layer might not have enough seam allowance but, it depends on the type of seam finish - French seam might be OK -