Thanks. I have seen the first two. Although lovely, they don't look like something for a beach wedding.

The second one came in a light blue, but it is sold out.

The problem with the Talbots is that it already starts below the knee. There would be no way to shorten it.

I have been at this so long, it feels like I'm making a career out of it.

Thank you so much for searching.

The pink one can be shortened from the waist

I also love this one (having forgotten about the beach part)

Sorry, I misread your comment about "appropriate". I thought you were questioning if it was appropriate.

I sew and do alterations. It’s always much easier to make a new garment than alter one, which is why alterations are so expensive. There is much beautiful fabric available and many appropriate patterns. Perhaps you could hire a seamstress and buy fabric while staying within your budget. Having done it many times, I am positive I could make the perfect dress for you.

Sheesh, I would have you help me in a heartbeat if you lived close by.

Taking cost out of the equation, in your opinion, how can the bodice/ neckline to changed to make it lower cut and less voluminous?

What would be doable so I can go in and talk intelligently to a tailor?

Also, how short is a midi supposed to be? Midcalf?

It would be a job I’d love!

I wish I could say, Eld. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to tackle this, but a real tailor might. I‘m just a very good home sewer. A good tailor will know quickly what can be done. I wish you all the luck getting everything perfeperfect.

Very pretty as is, IMO. It's already a v-neck, just higher. The construction might not be what it appears to be - especially if it's lined, so altering the neckline may be less than ideal.

Skipped down to add: another petite misses size here. Regular sized fitted or princess seamed waists are always too long for me, so one thing that works for me in regular misses sized dresses is an empire waist.

It appears to have a good bit of fabric and I think a competent tailor could give you the neckline you want. The dress I picked when my son married was strapless and I really didn't want to deal with a special bra or show so much skin. Since it had to be shortened they used the excess fabric from the hem to add straps. I used the rest of the remnant to sew a little drawstring pouch for my cell phone and tissues. DD was one of the bridesmaids and her dress came in late - and at least one size too large. The tailor was expensive but he was able to remove the boning and lining from the bodice to take it in.

The dress you ordered is really pretty and it will be perfect for a beach wedding. I hope it works out for you.

Is the dress lined?

It looks like two layers. Chiffon on the outside. Why?.

My first take is that the bodice is too full of fabric to be altered easily to become a V neck. It looks like it even has shirring at the side seams. But the fabric and the flow is lovely.

You need more than a tailor but a real seamstress to let them look up close and personal and let them decide if the shoulder seams can be undone, the fabric can be uncrossed, deconstructed, and recut to make a V neck. Some can work miracles...others, not so much.

The biggest issue is if the top is cut on the straight or the bias which would affect how much it stretches or sits on the bodice.

Thanks. I plan to go a place that just does alterations. So, not a tailor at local dry cleaners.

My concern is that will be too poufy on me. What other ideas are there to streamline it?

Is it just the bra? Have you tried it with a criss-cross bra? Strapless? I really think it's the neckline as is that adds so much style.

IAC, something like this would be easier to alter...remove the sleeves, remove the bow: https://us.shein.com/Leopard-Print-Flutter-Sleeve-Overlap-Collar-Belted-Chiffon-Dress-p-10202091-cat-1727.html?url_from=adplasw2203042755814882S_GPM&cid=15703533264&setid=&adid=&pf=GOOGLE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrs2XBhDjARIsAHVymmRLQH-K_Hb1TN2jNj9IdR7RK1Ht0BUEYjg9iIsxElmwVGD-5F47qdcaAkhtEALw_wcB

I haven't received it yet. I am assuming. I have tried on other types of halter styles that I sent back.

Just getting my ducks in a row. I may be surprised.

I don't see why you keep calling this a halter. From the pictures you can see the crossed front pieces heading back over the shoulders and the back view shows a full back with a zipper. Can you not wear a shift style dress?

RNmom, I call it a halter because.....

I'm open to anything. But as I mentioned I want something for a beach wedding.

A simple shift as MOB doesn't seem special nor for a beach setting.

My favorite for my body type is fit and flare. The few Ihave seen are more for the formal traditional style weddings.

I have to go with what is currently out there.

I wouldn't bet on being able to convert the front to a V-neck in the way you are probably thinking. It might be possible, but I can see a lot of reasons why it might not. It would require completely taking apart the dress, removing the bodice from the skirt, the front from the back and trying to recut the top. The top is on the bias and the shoulder line doesn't give you fabric to go up to the same shoulder without straightening it and trying to recut the sides, arm and neck -- if there is enough fabric to cover all that without hacking it and making a mosaic of the bodice. If you try to do something with straps, they have to fit into the back or you have to remake that too -- and all of this done in layers because of that lining. If you were determined to undertake this, you might need to buy a second dress to recut the top out of the second skirt. It isn't simply swapping the shoulders at the neckline. Chiffon is not the easiest or most forgiving fabric to work with. You will find many will not attempt it. And it doesn't sound like you love the dress. I like it, and kiind of hope it surprises you, but it's not worth all that if you don't love at least something about it.

Did you see this one at Macy's - would look very springy and beach appropriate. https://www.macys.com/shop/product/adrianna-papell-petite-floral-print-midi-dress?ID=13995625&CategoryID=55596

One that could have the sleeve removed

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/dkny-petite-flutter-faux-wrap-chiffon-dress?ID=13696124&CategoryID=55596

Same sleeve possibility here

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/dkny-petite-tiered-midi-dress?ID=14410694&CategoryID=55596

This one could be dressed up with a different belt

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/anne-klein-petite-floral-print-midi-dress?ID=13738202&CategoryID=55596

But you also have 2 seasons of dresses to be released in addition to what is left at the end of this summer season -- resort collections for the winter and then spring. And plenty of time to have something made to be exactly what you want. I will also throw out there that Land's End always has a fit and flare V-neck dress in their group - a very easy to wear and comfortable knit - in petites as well as talls (for me). I looked and selection is limited now, but every group has some solid colors that can be dressed up or down -- and they would be very comfortable, wearable, packable. Could be worth keeping your eyes open for one that could be a back-up or might be suitable to other pool or beach events -- parties leading up to the wedding. I got a maxi length in tall years ago and the only thing I didn't like about it was that the skirt wrapped and would blow open. They fixed that the next season.

I reread your post, and it really sounds like you are trying to force something that you still have a lot of time and many options for dealing with. There's no reason to force something that isn't right or you won't be comfortable and feel good wearing. You will find something. You have lots of time and options. Even in petite.

The Adrianna Pappell lascatx posted is very pretty!

Thank you Las. I have seen all of your choices. For this event, a hot pink or cobalt blue doesn’t read beach.
I have tried many dresses from Macy’s.
I agree with you. I hope there will be resort weather available. In the mean time, I need something.
The Adrianna is pretty but I am not sure it seems dressy enough. I will look at it closer.
Thanks for your help.

I know you have a color scheme and feel in mind. For me, cobalt blue works in any setting, especially the beach, but that doesn't mean it fits what you want. I'm sure you will find something. Sometimes all you have to do is quit looking and then you stumble on something perfect. I honestly dread finding something when my sons get married.

Have you looked at JJ's House at all? They don't have prints but they have solids in all kinds of colors, including beach-y ones and lots of styles to choose from.

I bet the dress you ordered will be fine. After seeing the back, I don’t consider it a Halter style. I thought Halter styles wrapped around the neck and didn’t have backs? Its a pretty dress.

I can sew. I'm not an expert, but my favorite thing to do is modifying clothing. Looking at this photo, I don't think this could be turned into a V neck.

You could always buy it, take it to a tailor, and ask them. If they say no, return it. You might want to keep looking for another dress meanwhile.

Eid, that's odd that the vendor calls that a halter. I agree with you on liking a v neck style but this dress looks very upscale and classy. I sew a fair amount and as been pointed out, I think it would be difficult to make this in to a v neck with out really starting over. The cross front as is had a lot of drape to it and make not convert to a v neck well.

Hoping that its a pleasant surprise when you try it on.

Annie, I remember you mentioning that site in the past. Unfortunately, no petite sizing.

Oh sorry, eld, I forgot about that CTQ.

Did you look at Dillards?

https://www.dillards.com/p/alex-evenings-petite-a-line-rosette-midi-dress/507752075

Somehow, eld, I can easily picture you in this dress...provided the hand isn't too heavy for at the beach.

Absolutely beautiful dress. I hope it works out for you as is.

Those shoes! Gorgeous!

Have you looked at Lilly Pulitzer?

https://www.lillypulitzer.com/moana-wrap-maxi-dress/010161.html?dwvar_010161_color=4532RS

or

Thank you. Yes and Tommy Bahamas. I tried everything!
The high low is lovely, but too long for me. Sometimes U can wear a regular size, but few and far in between.

I think it would be easier to alter a hemline (change a high-low to a one length) than to alter a neckline. Also on the top dress I posted, I would consider having the cummerbund altered to use less fabric.

Please snap a photo of you in the dress when it arrives. Hoping you love it the way it is. I wonder if the criss cross sections could be narrowed a bit to open up your neck area. I have been a sewer for-ev-ah, but tailoring isn’t my jam.

Yes ratherbesewing! That is what I am hoping. Maybe just narrow out some of the fabric.

Bbstx, I thought Lily could work, and tried on every possibility in two different stores. To be honest though, they felt more casual, like something more for a day event. Added that the proportion were off on me.

So many more options for taller women.

Annie, I look at Dillards, Nordstroms and Macy’s everyday. Hoping new things appear.

The dress you show to me is a classic dress for an indoor formal affair, and one I would consider if venue was different.

. We will be on a sand dune and it will be hot.

I hear ya...I was attracted to the color and the silhouette.

Questions for clarity

1. Will the bride and her attendants wear traditional bridal apparel and footwear?

2. What will the men wear?

3. Will the ceremony be held on a platform? Under a canopy? Will there be chairs for the guests?

4. Where will the reception be? On the beach? Afternoon or evening?

5. What ”reads beach” to you?

I think we need more info to help, as I can’t see the difference in formality between the original dress you posted and most of the dresses others have posted. We need more info on your vision, I think. The blue Dillards dress annie posted seems perfect-fit and flair, simple style, not formal but sophisticated, and suitable for the bride’s mother.

On a hot beach, I’d stay away from polyester. It’s hot!

@Annie Deighnaugh - can you link to the teal dress you posted above? I can't find it on the website. I love the neckline!

edit: never mind, found it.

Seattle did you mean me? There's already a link under the picture.

I'm referring to the JJs house one-- no link under the picture. But nevermind, I found it!

I’m in responsibility-avoidance mode today, so I dug into Poshmark a bit and found these…all 4P. The second one is not what you're looking for, but I thought it was different and pretty - and cheap!

I do think you would likely be able to narrow the wrap pieces of the bodice on your ordered dress. That would be much easier than restyling the neckline and having to rework the entire bodice to get there. It kind of looks like they have a tiny, small-busted model with a dress that is maybe a size too large pulled and clipped around her, or it could be a mock-up, so it will be interesting to see how it fits you.

The Lilly wrap dress could be hemmed. If the bodice is long, it's possible the bodice and skirt could be taken apart and each shortened from the waist - with or without also having to do the sweeping hem. That probably means reworking a zipper too, but still simpler that trying to change the neckline of a wrapped bodice.

You say it will be hot even though it will be spring. Synthetics like chiffon, plus a lining, may not be very comfortable if that is the case. Linen or a linen cotton blend, cotton gauze or double gauze would seem to be the coolest options. Maybe an embroidered cotton. I bought myself a toy -- and embroidery machine, and the upgrade that was just announced has some large embroidery panels -- would be fun to do something like that on a dress.

Update. The dress was a total fail. The color was a much darker which I could accept if fit.

The front did not fit at all like the photo. The side barely covered my chest. The waist was too tight as well.

Back to the drawing board.

Thanks everyone for following my saga.

That's too bad. I was hoping the off look on the model would mean it would be better on real people. Colo ir always hard to know. You will find something -- you have time.

Oh how disappointing. That was my favorite of all the dresses that were posted. i wasn't keen on the neckline but I loved the print and the way the dress flowed.

I'm disappointed for us and ok for you too! I was really hoping this was going to be one of those surprises when you put it on.

You have plenty of time to find something perfect, Eid.

Would this one from 1929 work? I love it. It is special, but looks like a good fabric for the beach and is also somewhat casual.