Shopping for street clothes is so easy. You grab a cute shirt, step into a fitting room, and it often fits exactly like you expect.
So, why don’t bridal gowns fit off the rack like clothes at JC Penney or Macy’s? Well, wedding dresses are much more glamorous. Because of their unique construction, they often require alterations to ensure a custom fit.
If you’ve never had clothes altered before, you may not be familiar with what needs to be done to make a wedding dress fit like a dream. We’ve compiled a list of the top 3 alterations most brides need to make their dress look perfect!
#1. Hem
Wedding dresses are usually made to accommodate women as tall as 5’7″ — if you’re taller than that, extra length is often special ordered for an extra fee. But for shorter gals, this means a hem is in order.
An expert seamstress can make the front and sides of a gown shorter, so that a bride can walk and dance with ease. What’s nice about most wedding dresses is that they are manufactured with the expectation that you will customize the hem — so go wild! You are free to wear high heels, wedges, sandals…even sneakers! A seamstress can adjust the length of a gown to suit your preferred footwear.
The cost of a hem can vary widely. This is due to several factors: the number of fabric layers the skirt has, the material of the dress, and the embellishment on the hem can all contribute to the cost of this alteration.
#2. Side-Seam/Straps
Some brides try on their specially ordered dress and are shocked to find that the top is too big! Many brides encounter loose straps and “Madonna Boobs” where the bust looks a little too loose or pointy. Don’t worry — this is way more common than you think! Not many brides fit exactly in a manufacturer’s size chart, so it is common for the bust and side-seams of a dress to be adjusted.
This is another place where your seamstress will be a superhero. Straps and sleeves can be made shorter. A side-seam adjustment may help make the bodice of your dress fit properly. Many brides will also opt to have bra cups sewn in their dress to fill out the bodice and provide extra support.
#3. Bustle
Nearly every wedding dress has a train (when else can a girl wear one, after all?!) But what about after the ceremony is over and pictures are done? Are you supposed to drag the train behind you all night? How are you supposed to dance the night away if your guests are tripping over your train on the dance floor?
What you need is a bustle! Bustles can be added to a dress in a variety of ways. The most common method of bustling a train is to add hooks or buttons to the back or underside of the dress. This will let you pull up the train and keep it out of the way during the reception.
Once again, there are a variety of factors that will contribute to how a seamstress does you bustle. The number of layers a train has, the fabric of your dress, and the style of your gown will all be considered.
That being said, there are 2 common methods of bustling a train. The first is called the “American” bustle — this bustle is generally 3 or more hooks on the outside of the skirt.
The other method of bustling is called a “French” bustle. This style incorporates the hooks underneath the skirt. As you can see — a French bustle gives a gown a totally different look!
Sometimes a dress can have either an “American” or “French” style bustle. We recommend asking your seamstress what the best way might be to add a bustle to your dress.
While these are some of the most common alterations brides get on wedding dresses, there are many other things you can do to a gown to ensure it fits the vision you have on your wedding day! We hope this gives you a better sense of how to make a dress more convenient to wear on your special day.