skip to main content

Beauty & Fashion

How to lengthen a cocktail dress?

18 years ago

I've got a great dress, but it is kind of short for my age. It's black with a slightly flared bottom, all the same fabric (some sort of crepe-like fabric). It hits me mid-thigh right now. I'd like to lengthen it to knee-length or just above the knee.

I'm not totally opposed to lace, but it's not my favorite thing. Plus I don't think it would lay correctly, since it's not a straight skirt.

I was thinking of something in an opaque solid fabric, just adding an extra "stripe" of fabric at the bottom. If I wear black stockings, how would it look if I did this in a color, like deep ruby? Too much? Should I stick with black? I'm going for a sophisticated/classy look, but not too old.

Are there other options I'm not thinking of?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

imagineaa
Original Author
18 years ago
Oh, I guess there's no way to edit posts here. I forgot to say, I have a very long satin jacket in a dark ruby that I may want to wear with it.
centralcacyclist
18 years ago
What about making it even shorter and wearing it as a top paired with a nicely fitted slim skirt the right length in a pretty color you like? It thank that would end up looking better. And not at all like you added fabric to lengthen a dress.
Related Discussions
OT: How would you accessorize this dress?
Q
Comments (28)
I think you need a pop of color somewhere within the look. If everything matches, it just blends entirely too much, including matching close to the skin if you do not have a darker complexion. I'd put the color either in the clutch (though you won't be carrying that every moment) or the earrings - a drop down earring with a bolder stone that will get noticed, but not too large. Just my two cents. If you do it right, you can even do a color pop in both, if they are similar in color.
...See More
Lengthening a train
Q
Comments (6)
So I figured I would share with you how I ended up doing this. The pattern I have turned out to have the existing train pieces marked so I cut them form the skirt and used them to make a card board template. I knew I needed my train to be four times the length of the existing train. So using my cardboard templates I marked them out on cotton and using some math(angle of the sides x length x 4 to get the proper length and angle) and my husbands construction chalk line I marked out the extended train . As for the curve on the bottom I used my wonderful father who is a geometry professor and figured out the curve using a regression to zero. In all the train ended up being three separate pieces exactly as evaf555 had suggested so that it has a continuous curve. Clt3 your tutorial was invaluable as the directions that the pattern had where nonsense. Donna_loomis the client ended up wanting the train to flare but I did try it originally as you suggested and it worked perfectly for a straight train. Thank you to everyone who sent suggestions that where incredibly helpful. This post was edited by cloybaby on Thu, Feb 20, 14 at 10:51
...See More
Seeking "Cocktail Attire" guidance
Q
Comments (41)
Just a quick update - our party was Saturday night and the dress was perfect. I tried it on with spanx when I bought it, but once I was getting ready and wore it for a while I noticed that the liner was clinging to the undergarment. It caused the dress to twist and ride up. Once I removed the spanx it was perfect. Luckily it was not thin or clingy fabric, so it wasn't a deal breaker. The shoes were great.... in the beginning. By the end of the night the balls of my feet were killing me! So thankful for sneakers this morning lol. Dress 3 was my favorite, but I would not be comfortable showing that much skin on top at a work event. It's just me. I saw a lot of strapless dresses and those women looked great. I just know I would of felt too exposed. Thanks again to everyone for your help!
...See More
Cocktail Party Dresses, Ugh!
Q
Comments (37)
You look lovely in that dress to me too! What shoes will you pair with it? Of course it sounds like you have a good reason to look at more dresses. Hope you share whatever you find with us.
...See More
imagineaa
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks for your response. I took a look at it and this won't work for this particular dress. I think I'll take a trip to the fabric store and see if I can find similar fabric along with a contrasting fabric. What I could do is make one stripe of a contrasting fabric and finish it with a similar/matching fabric at the bottom. Maybe that would look like it was intended.

I will post a pic if I end up doing this.
socks
18 years ago
You could also ask your question over on the sewing forum.
centralcacyclist
18 years ago
It was a thought. It would have be the right shape to work as a top. I look forward to seeing what you do. Will you need to lengthen the lining, too?

I did an image search for two piece cocktail or formal dresses and found this.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vintage Bill Blass
lpinkmountain
18 years ago
I would stick with a black color whatever you decide, that way you will keep the flexibility you get with basic black going with so many other things.
jaybird
18 years ago
If the original fabric is matte, a shiny fabric to lengthen would look good...if the orig. is shiny, try a matte or a lightweight velvet.
I would also stay with black...
My niece is over 6' tall, so we do a lot of lengthening around here :^)
Good luck...
imagineaa
Original Author
17 years ago
hmmm, that vintage Bill Blass number is really pretty. I had to close the tab so I wouldn't buy it!

Related Stories

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: A Cocktail of Industrial and Cozy on Louisville's Whiskey Row

By Stacy Thomas

Muted tones and soft textures transform an open loft space into an inviting home

11 Ways to Dress Up Your Breakfast Nook

By Shawn Gauthier

A dash of formalwear can help your kitchen nook work from croissant to cocktails. These 11 tips get you started

FURNITURE How to Dress Your Daybed

By Laura Gaskill

You can make a daybed more inviting for lounging or napping by layering on pillows, bolsters, a throw and even sheets and blankets

Dressing Up the Yard: Deborah Sommers Wall Hangings

Easy Ways to Dress Up Your Home for Fall

By Shawn Gauthier

Give your interior a warm autumn feeling with branches, leaves and a burst of orange

COLOR Guest Picks: Melamine Serveware

By Jen L'Italien

20 almost-indestructible plates, trays, bowls and tumblers to dress the table — indoors or out

MORE ROOMS Remember the Rooftop

By Shawn Gauthier

A well-dressed roof deck can instantly expand your living area. Here's how to make this space the crowning glory of your home

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Vintage and Asian Styles Mix in Eclectic Home

By Holly Marder

An interior design couple dress up their home with origami pendant, wallpaper and mid-century pieces

0

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Fringe Makes the Perfect Finishing Touch

Fantastic fringed finds for rooms of every style, from traditional to eclectic

0

COLOR The 10 Hottest Color Trends for Spring

Fasten your seat belts: This year's selections are going to rock your world

Sponsored