Some dresses are beautiful, but they do not always feel right for the person wearing them.
For this evening dress, my client was a young woman who wanted the gown to feel lighter, fresher and more like her. The original fishtail skirt was long and dramatic, but on her body, it felt too heavy and a little too mature.
She loved the sparkle of the dress. The full sequin and crystal textile on the top already had so much energy. What she wanted was to keep that glamour, but change the lower part into something easier to wear.
So I restyled the skirt from a fishtail shape into a shorter pencil skirt.
This was not just about cutting the hem shorter. Once the skirt shape changes, the whole balance of the dress changes too. I looked at the waist, hip line, side seams and the new length, so the skirt could sit cleanly with the embellished top.
For this alteration, I removed the original zip area and rebuilt the back with corset loops and lacing. The result gives the gown a softer, more romantic look while still keeping the original character of the dress. This is what I love about wedding dress restyling. Sometimes the dress is already beautiful, but the right alteration can make it feel more like her.
At SUU Bespoke in Kingston upon Thames, I work with bridal alterations, pre-loved wedding dresses, eveningwear and occasionwear, always looking at fit, comfort, structure and proportion.
This restyling was first shared on my Instagram, where you can see the before-and-after transformation.
Follow @suubespoke for more bridal, evening and occasionwear alteration stories.
If you have a wedding dress that needs restyling or careful alteration, you’re welcome to book a private appointment at my Kingston upon Thames studio.
