Question - have you had your cute dresses 'taken in' after losing weight?
hcs00
Posts: 40 Member
I have so many cute dresses I would HATE to lose the ability to wear when I lose more weight (down 14 so far so not an issue, but I need to lose a good 75). Like a Modcloth closet full of 40+ dresses with patterns and gorgeous accents I will miss dearly.
Have you taken in dresses, and what kind of results have you seen? Of course I'd find a professional but it is a huge concern of mine (lots of money invested in those clothes).
Also are there any hints on how to pin them on myself to not be too baggy, or simple sewing techniques I can do without ripping out entire side seams and redoing them? I do have a machine but am a novice.
When I google I basically get wedding dress stuff so I thought I'd post here.
Have you taken in dresses, and what kind of results have you seen? Of course I'd find a professional but it is a huge concern of mine (lots of money invested in those clothes).
Also are there any hints on how to pin them on myself to not be too baggy, or simple sewing techniques I can do without ripping out entire side seams and redoing them? I do have a machine but am a novice.
When I google I basically get wedding dress stuff so I thought I'd post here.
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Replies
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There is a limit to how much a dress can be taken in based on the style and pattern, after a certain it's almost like making a new dress. That said, I've taken some of my vintage dress to get taken in. Yelp a good place.
Even without undoing the seam, by sewing them in a make shift way, you are still compromising the fabric. Go to goodwill get a cheap dress to practice on. I've taken in dress without lining and it's easy if you have basic sewing skills. In the meantime, belts and structured crop jackets will help with the bagginess.0 -
I found it wasn't worth it. Even if I took something in, it didn't fit again in a few months. I did better attending a clothing exchange and trading in my old wardrobe.0
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I had one taken in and that was a disaster so most of them I sold on ebay and I now have fun buying new smaller sizes
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I found it wasn't worth it. Even if I took something in, it didn't fit again in a few months. I did better attending a clothing exchange and trading in my old wardrobe.
How did you happen to find a clothing exchange? I have never heard of that before. I just bagged up 3 bags of too-large-clothes last night.
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I have taken in a dress and i realised i will have to probably take in my favourite summer dress next year too. if you turn the dress inside out and pin it on both seams evenly you can then roughly stich it with thread that snaps easily (not sure what its called in english) but its what i use to quickly sew something together to see how it looks on. Turn it the right way and put it on to have a look how it fits and tweek where needed. you can then sew properly using the machine. You will have to undo any hems and beading before hand and resew them after you've finished the seams. If you're not confident enough find someone to do it for you though you don't want to ruin your favourite dresses.0
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I did this with 2 dresses recently. I'm really pleased with the results, but I was about 140-145 lbs when I fit into them, and now I am 126-129 lbs, so they didn't need to be taken in drastically (about 3.5 inches in the waist). They also were around $40 new, and I paid $50 each for the tailoring (they needed to be hemmed too). Not sure if the price is worth it, but I am happy to still be wearing them. I also chose 2 dresses that are a solid colour with a simple/classic shape that will never really go out of style.
I also had like 7 pairs of dress pants taken in and a top. It was pricey, but was better than buying all new stuff in my opinion!0 -
@GreenValli , I am part of a post-Bariatric support group on Facebook that organizes regular clothing exchanges. You could do something similar by visiting a second-hand clothing store.0
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It's expensive to have someone do it for you, and it might not work out. Lots of "tailoring" places mostly deal with shortening pant legs and suck at anything more complicated than that. Doing it on your own involves spending a lot of time learning sewing skills. Not worth it.
If you really love a particular fabric, you could make a scarf out of it.0 -
Losing weight is a great reason to buy different cute dresses! Treat yourself. You have earned it.0
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Losing weight is a great reason to buy different cute dresses! Treat yourself. You have earned it.
Totally but you have no idea how awesome most of my clothes are! Dinosaur print dress my husband JUST bought me for my birthday, Wednesday Addams black dress with white collar?! I can't give them up.
I have quick stitched some shirts smaller on the inside but have never tried on a beloved dress. Maybe I'll do the suggestion of getting a Goodwill one to practice.0 -
I did this with 2 dresses recently. I'm really pleased with the results, but I was about 140-145 lbs when I fit into them, and now I am 126-129 lbs, so they didn't need to be taken in drastically (about 3.5 inches in the waist). They also were around $40 new, and I paid $50 each for the tailoring (they needed to be hemmed too). Not sure if the price is worth it, but I am happy to still be wearing them. I also chose 2 dresses that are a solid colour with a simple/classic shape that will never really go out of style.
I also had like 7 pairs of dress pants taken in and a top. It was pricey, but was better than buying all new stuff in my opinion!
Some of my dresses are just too cool to give up or aren't available still to re-buy. I'll have to do a serious inventory and figure out what's worth changing and what I can give up. Sigh. What a "terrible" problem to have right?!0 -
I did this with 2 dresses recently. I'm really pleased with the results, but I was about 140-145 lbs when I fit into them, and now I am 126-129 lbs, so they didn't need to be taken in drastically (about 3.5 inches in the waist). They also were around $40 new, and I paid $50 each for the tailoring (they needed to be hemmed too). Not sure if the price is worth it, but I am happy to still be wearing them. I also chose 2 dresses that are a solid colour with a simple/classic shape that will never really go out of style.
I also had like 7 pairs of dress pants taken in and a top. It was pricey, but was better than buying all new stuff in my opinion!
Some of my dresses are just too cool to give up or aren't available still to re-buy. I'll have to do a serious inventory and figure out what's worth changing and what I can give up. Sigh. What a "terrible" problem to have right?!
It's what my boss calls a 'high class' problem. I have a wardrobe full of awesome (and expensive
) dresses that no longer fit, and they're designs that can't be taken in as much as I'd need. I could probably make two dresses that would fit me from the material in some of them. 0 -
A good seamstress can usually take things in for one size, sometimes two.
After that, I give mine away and shop for a few beautiful things.
I only have clothes in my closest that I love and that look wonderful on me0 -
I'm currently from a size 22 to a size 14. I took my dresses into a tailor and he actually suggested I not bother. He said at this point he'd be cutting new dresses out of the fabric and the price was around what a new dress would cost. He suggested saving that for truely itreplacable dresses.
Mine got bagged up for goodwill. There was lots of nice stuff and I hope someone is enjoying them! I'm in goodwill myself till I bottom out
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I had some stuff taken in, and some of it I still wear, but nothing is ever quite right/the same.0
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I've taken in a lot of my dresses and I've always taken up clothes as I'm 5ftb2. But I run my own little seeing business. Where do you live? By chance if it was close I'd do it for you xxxx0
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I didn't buy any cute dresses while I was overweight...I hibernated and disguised my grandiose butt in yoga pants...but I have a gorgeous "cute" dress that I'm just fitting into, bought as my goal outfit...0
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crazyjerseygirl wrote: »I'm currently from a size 22 to a size 14. I took my dresses into a tailor and he actually suggested I not bother. He said at this point he'd be cutting new dresses out of the fabric and the price was around what a new dress would cost. He suggested saving that for truely itreplacable dresses.
Mine got bagged up for goodwill. There was lots of nice stuff and I hope someone is enjoying them! I'm in goodwill myself till I bottom out
This is a good guideline.
I have a machine and can sew. I've altered a couple of dresses successfully from 16 down to 12 where the dress was really unique but it's a lot of work to get right. The greater the size change, the more exponentially the job increases. It's not just nipping in the side seams: past a point, you'll need to rip the garment apart to re-cut the whole bodice. I have a couple of very good but highly tailored suit dresses that I won't touch because I'm looking at four or five sizes down now, and even at two sizes they were best left to a professional.
So, my advice would be to alter garments where: a) the size difference is one or two sizes, b) the garment is unique or has sentimental value, and c) if you feel your skill level is sufficient that you won't destroy it. Otherwise, bag and donate.
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Look at taking them to a consignment shop to sell, or ebay or somewhere you could get some of your money back and invest in something new. Sometimes you can take things in on the sides a little bit. It's hard when the bigger sizes have the huge long arm hole(under arm area) and you just can't get that right. Maybe a couple sizes you could play with, after that, you've just got to give it up. Look at consignment or thrift stores for new things too, or ebay. Good luck0
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Bex_hostie wrote: »I've taken in a lot of my dresses and I've always taken up clothes as I'm 5ftb2. But I run my own little seeing business. Where do you live? By chance if it was close I'd do it for you xxxx
I'm in NW Chicago - any chance you are near here?
I get really attached to some of them, the patterns are irreplaceable so all the suggestions to donate or get new pretty clothes are nice but not what I'm looking for.
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crazyjerseygirl wrote: »I'm currently from a size 22 to a size 14. I took my dresses into a tailor and he actually suggested I not bother. He said at this point he'd be cutting new dresses out of the fabric and the price was around what a new dress would cost. He suggested saving that for truely itreplacable dresses.
Mine got bagged up for goodwill. There was lots of nice stuff and I hope someone is enjoying them! I'm in goodwill myself till I bottom out
Yep. At my highest I was a 16 and at my lowest I was a 0. I found that it was about 4 sizes before it's the same price as a new dress.
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SweetestLibby wrote: »crazyjerseygirl wrote: »I'm currently from a size 22 to a size 14. I took my dresses into a tailor and he actually suggested I not bother. He said at this point he'd be cutting new dresses out of the fabric and the price was around what a new dress would cost. He suggested saving that for truely itreplacable dresses.
Mine got bagged up for goodwill. There was lots of nice stuff and I hope someone is enjoying them! I'm in goodwill myself till I bottom out
Yep. At my highest I was a 16 and at my lowest I was a 0. I found that it was about 4 sizes before it's the same price as a new dress.
If I can take them from an 18 down to a 14 or 12 I'll be happy enough. It will give me more quality time with the newer ones
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I gave all mine to charity. I had some really nice suits but never really thought about alterations as there was so much of the stuff. I had a good laugh with my daughter trying them all on, and then bagged them up0
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I'm down from an 18+ to a 12/14 - when I was around a 14/16 I had a few dresses taken in and it wasn't cheap - but I had events to wear them to and was a little fearful of buying new things. Those dresses that I paid a lot to take in are now too big again and the money was basically a waste - I got one or two wears out of them.
If you do it when you're at a "goal" weight and really think you'll stay there it might be more worth the cost, but if it's too much of a change it will be even more expensive - and the fiddlier and more "unique" the dress the more it will cost. There are always cheaper places but it doesn't sound like you'd want to trust your beloved dresses to them. I borrowed a friend's sewing machine and did a few shirts and simple things myself, but you need much better skills to do dresses.
About a month ago I donated a large majority of my "fat" clothes and I've bought a modest amount new. If I ever manage to get back on the losing wagon I'll have to reassess what those new clothes will be like then.0 -
I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine, and have made things from patterns also. But even then, taking things in was a gamble, with only minimally good results. In my case, it was take in some things, or go naked, I literally had no money.
It forced me to look at my wardrobe and build a much smaller (size and quantity) that I am much happier with, and I no longer own things I "love" but don't ever wear.0 -
There are a few ModCloth BST groups on FaceBook. Have you thought about seeing what you could get in trade?0
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I feel your pain. I am like you with the dresses and have some beauties and it breaks my heart to think they may get too, too big! I like brands like Hell Bunny and Collectif and once a season is gone that is that for certain styles and fabric patterns. It is definitely worth keeping an eye on eBay but be prepared to pay near to the original price for some sort after old styles! I have a few dresses I want to replace in a smaller size and I think I will start keeping an eye out now.0
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I'm *very* handy with a sewing machine and always take loose clothes in, but between my original size 24 and my current 14 I have exactly zero of my favourite dresses left. I can generally get an extra two sizes out of something with alterations, but after that... Nope. Just starts to get weird and does the dress and my body a disservice. My wardrobe is a lot smaller in a lot of ways, and, while I miss having all my pretty things to choose from, I'm getting enjoyment out of creating seasonal and size specific capsule wardrobes each season.
I understand how sad it is to give things up though. I've had to pass on all the beautiful sweaters I knit for myself 0
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