I bought a couple of dresses online about two years ago and shamefully haven’t worn them. Why? They were too short and revealed too much with their wrap design. I managed to sell myself the dresses by creating this Polyvore set of them… I bought the two on the left.
I figured out a way to wear them that doesn’t involve sewing or make me super hot while wearing the dress.
A cotton half top and a good old fashioned slip.
How To Lengthen A Short Dress Without Sewing
Now I don’t need to worry if the wind blows open my dress.
I only need to worry that one of my calves is larger than the other. I need a solution for that one boot that keeps falling down.
Suggestions?
The dress is by Yumi (similar on sale!) but I would recommend you size up.
If you don’t have a slip but have another skirt, you can use that too.
I used a petticoat here.
Here I broke out the sewing machine and added two different fabrics to the bottom of the dress…
And here I added some trim and fabric.
And here some pompoms and fabric.
The weirdest thing is that about three years ago I went and shortened all of my skirts and dresses and then two years ago went about lengthening them all. I didn’t have a growth spurt either. The perception of my body is changing. Suddenly I need to cover up more.
Will I start dressing like all the elegant ladies draped in cascades of layered fabric and scarves?
Or go the distance and wear a full on burka? (AKA the black ghost.) One lady in my neighbourhood even wears black gloves and dark sunglasses with her burka. For all we know it could be these guys underneath…
Has your body image changed lately? And if so, did your wardrobe change along with it?
Linking up with 52 Pick-me-up Hat Attack Turning Heads Tuesday
Brilliant. I love the idea of an attractive slip underneath – and I have tried the second-skirt trick with success. You look lovely and stylish and you have killer legs – if slightly asymmetrical (hello, Patti’s boobs), no one would know. xox
Although you’re covering up a bit more I think that cheeky glimpse of petticoat looks rather sexy. It looks especially fabulous with that pretty bird print dress.
Love last outfit with the pompoms and massive basket so much.
I’m going through a thing with my body, too. Don’t know what it is and I’m starting to annoy myself but I don’t think it’ll be bad enough to resort to full burkha. xxxx
Oh dear Lord, I do love to read your posts! Your wit and style are the end! Love all of the outfits, the trimmed bag is so cool with the printed skirt and solid black tee!
I have also tried this trick but not with great results, having trouble find the right slip.. I will check your set. Thanks for this helpful and fun post!
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
I actually like your lengthened versions so much more than the originals. The addition of a different fabric is so cute (and so Anthro!) I think you have the most amazing figure and you always look beautiful and symmetrical. But yeah, the old body change dilemma. It hit us during puberty. I was so crushed when I grew boobs and couldn’t wear my favorite Yellowstone Park t shirt any more. And now it hits again. Lately I find myself shoving the sleeveless things to the back of the closet. Let’s just embrace it and think of it as a perfect opportunity to BUY NEW CLOTHES.
Hey, toi, good ideas (and outcomes) all! And might I just add here that you look so bleamin’ cute in a beret. I do so love a nice, good fitting beret. Yes, my image of myself and what I wear has changed a bit. I’m less likely to venture into fantasy, and more likely to wear the styles I know work for me and that I feel good in. It’s not so much that I think I can’t wear things anymore, it’s more like I can, but why would I?
Love this post! Slightly “too short” is a common issue I have with dresses, so I wear slips underneath, too, and just started exploring having a contrast band sewn onto the bottom of an otherwise awesome consignment find. If only I had my own sewing skills 🙂 Visiting from Hat Attack.
Our clothes reflect who we think we are, so sure changes will appear there. Interesting how some (like you) want longer (or shorter) lengths. A psychiatrist could have a field-day with that…
I’m intrigued by the struggles of real women in the real world, like your clever solution for the dresses. When I pay attention to issues like that and learn from ladies like you, it makes me feel more like I’m in “the club.” Thanks for that emotional boost.
Your fixes here are all stellar, Suzanne. I love the hint of a flirty little petticoat peeking from the hem. And I love the safety of knowing that in the case of a clothing malfunction, there is a trust slip ready to do backup duty. Your contrasting and cool fabric choices for lengthening add a lot to the originals.
Haha, re cutting and relengthening. I’m glad there were no glue sticks or staples involved here. Life is so much easier when the adjustments are up and down and not side to side. Just when I feel ready in my mind to wear more short things, I feel more tidy wearing things longer.
I have one black tulle skirt that gets a lot of use for either providing extra fullness to skirts or extra length. It’s an awesome strategy! And a fitted camisole on top is perfect for me for any tops that fit a little too loosely or cut too low.
I’m short, so I typically have the other problem, dresses being too long for me! It’s super easy to fix just by rehemming though. I love the crop top and slip combination, it seems like it would be perfect for minimizing bulk around the waistline!
Angelina Is | Bloglovin’
I’ve always been self conscious if my dress was too short – tall person problems, I guess. Love all these suggestions!
I don’t think I even own a slip but have a ton of spanx that I hate using. I have seen skirt extenders being sold now days that I have been wanting to buy to add some length to my shorter dresses. Since I don’t own a sewing machine (or maybe thread and needle too), I like the idea of extending my skirts/dresses with a slip.
Alice
http://www.happpinessatmidlife.com
Would love to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
Fantastic ideas for dealing with skirts that are too short. The pom pons and fabric are especially creative. I’ve used another skirt underneath to solve the problem; one can never have too many layers.
The perception of myself has changed many times over the years! I’m sure it will continue to do so. I’ve come to believe that it’s Just part of the process of life.
Thank you so much for sharing your creativity, your beauty and your headwear with Hat Attack!
I love this post. You have refashioned so many great dresses. I find myself doing the same this year but I attribute it to seeing longer hemline inspiration online and in magazines. I am about to do a pom-pom lengthening, as well!
love the first dress with the birdies. so cute! 😀
♥ | http://www.connect-the-cloths.com | xoxo
http://blogspotter.co/connect-the-cloths
I’ve felt the urge recently to try a lot of the more “edgy” and revealing clothing trends. Not that my body looks any different but I am less self conscious about how my body would look in those trends. Sadly, we live in a super small, super conservative town and people rather Frown Down On That Sort of Thing from teachers because Of The Children. So… I wait until we are out of town 😉
I think the petticoat and slip are especially good tricks.
Very clever. Especially those pompoms on the skirt. Really good. I have added rims too, underneath the dress f.i. Or I use a pencil skirt. Your two black pieces are very clever.
Greetje
I love wearing skirts under other skirts – I actually have a small “poufy underskirt” collection that I use to add warmth, coverage and length. I very much admire your trims! You’re so crafty, Suzanne!
Your fixes to the too-short conundrum are great, both with or without sewing. The full petticoat under the dark floral dress is a fabulous autumnal outfit. And the pom poms are inspired!
I am aware of putting weight on this year, and feeling kind of bloated and not quite myself – I am assuming this is a menopausal thing – but apart from not tucking tops in so often or wearing tight belts, I am dressing much the same. Powering through, sort of… xxx
All of your skirt lengthening techniques are so creative, and I think the finished products look way more visually interesting than the original. I have worn skirts under dresses, or a floofy slip to add length if I’m going to be at work, but I still wear a short skirt once in a while in the winter with thick tights.
My body has been doing some very distressing, painful things over the summer and I’ve been dealing with crazy bloating, so it’s made it difficult to wear anything fitted.
Oh yes. My body has definitely been calling out for slightly longer hems. I love the idea of an underskirt and the Pom poms are really clever. Where on earth do you find petticoats these days? They’re genius. The boot. Try gluing a piece of thick felt around the inside of the top, about 1″ down so it doesn’t show. You look great!!
Looks like you and I are on the same page my gorgeous friend! Did you make the lace half slip yourself? It’s gorgeous!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Interestingly, yes, although in the opposite direction. I gained a lot of weight with my first baby, who is now 24. I’ve spent most of the last 24 years covering up. I never wore sleeveless or any dresses or skirts shorter than lower calf length. Two things happened this summer that changed all that. First, I hired a trainer and worked out harder than I ever thought possible. I gained so much mental strength that I still can’t get over it. Second, I went to work at an unairconditioned school. Our classrooms are generally 80 to 90 degrees. It’s brutal. I now wear sleeveless and knee length dresses regularly. I still have terrible legs, and my upper arms are a bit flappy, but I just don’t care. I’ll never have great legs, I had cankles when I weighed 120 lbs., so I’m just over worrying about that. I do cover cleavage because I teach 8th grade ELA, not because cleavage is bad;) I just say do what makes you feel comfortable and pretty. With shoes, unfortunately, I have to go with comfort. Most teachers wear terribly frumpy shoes, but what are you going to do? I get 10,000 steps at work every day.
You are SO talented! Love all the looks and that black slip is beautiful!
Darlene