I normally don’t buy junior clothing because I definitely don’t have a Jr. figure. But I found this maxi dress that actually looked nice on me, and I want to shorten it to above the knee to take to Italy. I will be wearing beige walking sandals, and the casualness of this dress looks fine with them.
Now, what I love about this dress is how it skims my hips and bottom, it’s very flattering there, just flows over any lumps or bumps. What I concerned about is that having it cut off just straight it might take on a matronly unflattering hemline look. I told the seamstress to taper it…but they have to start the tapering up further than you think and I’m afraid it will loss that flowing look and maybe accentuate my bottom, etc. She won’t even be starting on if for several days, so I’m almost thinking I should call and tell her not to do it. Just hem it and we’ll see. Have any of you had a maxi dress like this shortened and tapered? what would you do?
Oh, I bought the one called Ivory Orange. You can’t see if from the pics, but it’s light cotten jersey…it has more fabric that flows than is shown in the pics.
I like it long too, and if I were junior size, I’d get it for myself. I don’t think it will be any cooler as a shorter dress, and I think you WILL lose the flowy effect by cutting it. It’s very pretty.
I think the whole look of that dress is a maxi look and it won’t look right to shorten it to the extent you’re describing. If you want a sundress for Italy, then I’d go buy an actual sundress that is cut to hit at or around the knee.
Even though I wouldn’t wear a maxi dress myself (I’m too short, I would swim in them), I do think it could be a good travel dress for Italy - I don’t think you really want to be showing your knees if your itinerary takes you into churches, cathedrals, etc. Though I’d also have a cardigan or shawl to cover shoulders.
I made my own clothes for a very long time. That skirt is actually pretty straight fabric–hangs on straight grain–since it’s gathered at the waist. Its drape will not change appreciably with length. For traveling, I would want a length that covered my knees when sitting–makes it much easier on trains, buses, in churches, etc. My inclination would be to go up ten or twelve inches and keep a straight hem or do a shirttail hem if you wanted to add some hem interest.
Since it is meant to be long, it may be much fuller than if it was meant to be shorter.
I would try just pinning it up. If it is full enough, even if it is hemmed to your knee it should be modest to sit down in.
But if it is very thin material, it may need a little more weight at the hem to hang right after it is shortened.
If you do decide to cut it off, maybe have the tailor make something out of the extra fabric, like a lined drawstring bag or a head wrap.
I can’t visualize what you mean by tapering it. But because of the pattern of the fabric it really needs to be a straight hem. I agree that you will lose the whole effect of the dress by taking it up above the knee.
Theh problem in keeping it long is i was wanting something to walk around all day in, and I’m afraid i will be too hot and a long dress to cumbersome for that. I want a regular dress and am having problems finding any color or style that I like on my hips and that go well with my sandals. This was the right color and fit. You know…I think I’m going to stop her from tapering it in. I can always do that later. I’ll see how it hangs first. I plan on having capris for church days, and I’ll also be carrying a lightweigh sarong to use if I need it. Thanks all.
Emeraldkity4… I like that idea. I called the seamstress and told her to not taper and save the material. Might be able to use like a infinity scarf. I also am already taking 2 maxis that I like a lot more than this to wear at night. I know it’s cute long, but it hits me about 2 inches above my ankles and not so cute if you saw it with my walking sandals…you really notice those. The shorter length I think will make it more casual and walkable. I don’t wear dresses or skirts below my knees. I have a long torso with shorter legs, and that style makes my legs look even shorter…same with capris. I have only 2 pair that go to the ankle that I roll just a little and wear with heels.
I’d think a long summer dress wouldn’t be too hot-you’d have plenty of air flow as you walked. D wore only long dresses on our summer college tour last year in the deep south where I don’t think it was ever less than 90 degrees and humid. But it sounds like your bound to cut it-let us know how it turns out.
It sounds like it needs to either be lengthened or shortened to look right, and it’s probably easier to shorten it.
I am short waisted, and have mostly high waisted or empire dresses, that I wear over skinny jeans when they are on the short side, more like a tunic. That’s a pretty good price, I might get one for that. I am too klutzy to wear long dresses, it is amazing what I could find to catch them on.
