Inheriting a wedding dress can be an incredibly special moment between the bride-to-be and the woman who passed it down to her. However, it is understandable that while it is a touching thing to have something passed down to you, it won’t be guaranteed love at first sight with the inherited wedding dress.
That’s okay because tastes differ, and certain pieces are more in vogue than others. But that doesn’t mean you have to decline to wear the dress or end up wearing a dress you don’t love!
It is perfectly valid to decline the vintage wedding dress to find something more of your style; after all, this is your wedding day and only your choice matters. But maybe you want to make the dress work out because you see yourself wearing it. You can always have the option to alter the wedding dress to better suit your taste and fashion game while still honouring the person you inherited the dress from.
Read on to learn how you can transform an inherited wedding dress to better suit your style and personality.
Things to Consider Before Altering Your Wedding Dress
Consult a dress restoration specialist, if you can
Sometimes, taking the vintage wedding dress out of storage can uncover issues that would have otherwise never been discovered. These can be stains from the last time it was worn, discolouration and degradation from age, or maybe some tough wrinkles and odour. These issues are to be expected.
Bringing in your vintage dress to be cleaned and restored by a specialist can be extremely helpful since they have more expertise working with vintage fabrics. They will be able to clean, revive, and prepare the dress for its new lease on life.
If you decide to DIY your restoration of the dress, please do your research. And avoid using bleach, since it can weaken the strength of the original fabric.
Enlist the help of a seamstress
When altering your dress, it is always a good idea to enlist the help of a seamstress, especially one with experience working with more aged fabrics. Even if you think you can do it yourself, you may not be equipped with the skills or the time to do the alterations.
Plus, it will be an extra stressor on your already full plate of wedding preparation responsibilities. Leave it to the professionals if you can. As an added tip, when bringing alteration ideas to your seamstress, it is best to show reference photos so you’re both on the same page.
11 Ways to Alter an Inherited Wedding Dress
1. Adjusting the hips and waist of the dress
The fit is always important. You have to feel comfortable in your dress on your wedding day. Depending on the cut of the dress, you may have to take it in or take it out around the hips and waist so it can better fit your body.
2. Making the chest area fit
Similar to adjusting the hips and waist area of the dress, having the fabric sit on your chest correctly is important. As the bride, much attention will be focused on you, especially on the upper half of the body. So making everything fit well from the waist up will help elevate the look of the vintage dress.
3. Changing the sleeves of the dress
Changing the shape and cut of the sleeves to make it more your style can modernize the look of the dress. Sleeve styles can often date a dress, and if you’re not trying to go for the whole vintage theme, changing the style of the sleeves can help make the dress more “you.”
4. Adjusting the train
Do you want a long train or a short one? At one point in time, long dress trains were all the rage in the wedding fashion scene, but these days, to each their own. Depending on your dress, you can cut or lengthen the train to fit your taste. You can also opt to add a bustle so you can have a longer train for the ceremony and a shorter one for the reception.
5. Including train loops and buttons
If you choose to bustle your dress, adding train loops or buttons will help make the job so much easier. Choose the type that best serves you and the anticipated activities of your wedding day.
6. Shortening or lengthening the hem
Adjusting the hemline of your dress can also do wonders for the overall look of the dress. You may be shorter or taller than the previous wearer of the dress, so adjusting the hem length to suit your body and style is always a good idea.
7. Altering the straps
Maybe you don’t want to have statement sleeves for your wedding and would prefer straps instead. You can work with your seamstress to find the best style of strap for your taste that can also support the dress on your special day.
8. Creating a new neckline
Necklines are also one of the things that can completely change the look of the dress. You can choose to open or close a neckline or have it be completely different, like changing a long neckline to a sweetheart neckline dress.
9. Altering the back
You may want a dress with an open back or maybe change the back panel for some other type of fabric or lace. Altering the back of the dress is almost always possible and can add an extra layer of detail to the dress, making it uniquely yours.
10. Changing the closure
Maybe you want a corset back or prefer a long line of buttons instead of a zipper. This detail to your dress is a pretty common alteration, and if you’re already altering the back of your dress, you’re most likely considering altering the closure as well.
11. Including ribbons, lace, or beading
You can make the vintage dress your own by adding small details like ribbons, lace appliqués, embroidery, and beading. These small details add character to your dress and allow your personality to shine through.
Now that you know the different ways you can alter and transform your inherited wedding dress go ahead and book your seamstress appointment and get your Pinterest board ready. Just because you inherited, it doesn’t mean you can’t wear a dress you love when you’re swapping that promise ring for wedding bands on your big day!
More wedding tips: 5 Small Wedding Details That Make a Big Difference
