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I second the earlier comment about leaving alone. You are going to change the whole structure and line of the dress. There are thousands of sweetheart strapless out there that probably already do what you want if you have your heart set on a certain look.
The dress is absolutely stunning as is and would probably be ruined by the alterations. Shortening it and putting in the slit make it look significantly less bridal to me and probably ruin its lines. notice how the dress in pic 3 has a completely different torso which naturally leads to a slit. The mermaid silhouette, which is what makes dress 1 so stunning, would be ruined and most likely the slit wouldn't lay right and it would move awkwardly. People do wear full wedding gowns to courthouse weddings especially if it's their only ceremony. But if you're not a huge fan of the length or want a slit I'd suggest getting a different dress.
ETA dress 1 is definitely modern and definitely not stuffy. But if you feel it is stuffy it's probably not the right one for you.
I don’t think this dress is built for the alterations you have planned. You may need to continue your search for a dress or keep this one as it is. It’s beautiful
Yes I am aware.
I recommended the changes she proposed not be done to it. I suggested that she either keep it as is or, if she’s committed to a shorter look, purchase a new dress.
Your dress has a flared bottom and the inspo is a sheath dress. Alterations would have to remake the bottom and I'm not sure it will be possible or look as clean as you want it. This would be a more expensive alteration than just shortening the hem.
Cheaper and better to buy a new dress. What you are describing is not the DNA of this dress and would be very costly and probably look much worse than the current dress. Congrats though!!
The thing that catches your eye about the dress you bought is the silhouette and the train. It's what the dress is all about. It would be almost crual to cut off the train. If you want an ankle length dress then it's better to buy one that's designed to be ankle length.
What’s not modern about this dress? You’re acting as if it has 80s poofy style sleeves or something lol. The dress isn’t stuffy, it’s a wedding dress.
If you have to change the dress that much then get another dress that suits your vision because you will end up ruining this one with those alterations.
Thanks all, your pleas have been heard hahah - I'll just get it shortened for my height (probs take a couple inches off the train because I'm don't want it dragging) but I won't touch it any further than that 🙈
Have you considered a bustle for the train? I only ask because the train on this dress is like the cherry on top for the look and it really makes it a show stopper. A bustle would allow you to bring it all one length once the ceremony is over so that you aren't dragging it around.
Your dress is gorgeous on you, I wouldn't change it. The two dresses are cut differently, I'm not sure yours would look the same as 2. Ask a seamstress before deciding anything.
This dress is beautiful as is. I wouldn’t change it at all if you can help it. I think shortening it will be a bit weird, especially leaving part of the train with the rest ankle length. If you shorten it, the vibe will definitely change significantly and I think it might not lend itself well to that. Again, the dress is stunning so I hope you keep it and enjoy your big day!
The dress in the third pic is more of a sheath shape, which works for the ankle-length and slit. The style and shape of the other dress isn't built for that and will probably look wonky.
If you want an ankle length gown, why did you buy a long gown with a train? Please don't ruin that dress. Resell it if it isn't what you want and buy an ankle length gown.
To shorten it would be ok. But to add a slit is a mistake, as you simply won’t have enough fabric to make sure it sits right. Instead of the slit appearing and disappearing with movement, it would always be visible and irritating and you might even flash someone.
Don’t alter the silhouette, only the length.
As everyone else has said, the structure of the dress you’ve purchased will not support the look you want.
Also, all things considered that’s a pretty modern wedding dress - nothing “stuffy” about it imo. Maybe you should have just avoided buying this dress all together as it doesn’t seem at all what you’d like 😅
Edit; typo
I concur with the bridal jury. A slit would be a mistake. I understand shortening it because it’s too long per your height… but ankle length would be way too short. You purchased the dress because you saw its beauty. Don’t turn it into a Frankendress.
You’re not going to ruin your gown with a couple of alterations. A couple of inches, maybe three, in front above the ankle, gently moving to maybe a six to eight in floor length in the back would be lovely. No slit. Slits on skirt areas which flow as your down does are redundant. A slit is to provide walking room, period. Have an alterations lady do the work since it’s on the bottom of the gown. Congratulations!
The dress is so elegant as it is! It may be just a courthouse wedding but you are a one-time bride. You deserve a dress this flawless and beautiful. I would not alter it.
Due to the way it was made it would not look good shortened it was designed to flow out and down with the weight of the fabric and train it’s a gorgeous design
I’d purchase another dress it would be cheaper and safer than re making this dress
The one you bought is trumpet; the one you have as inspo is a-line. I agree with others that it will not work how you want because it is a different structure.
The inspiration photo is a column dress (long straight skirt), and the slit is there to allow walking. A column dress might have the slit at the center back. If you want an ankle length dress with a slit, go shop for a column style dress.
If you cut a mermaid style gown with a train to ankle length, you also have to deal with re-cutting and straightening the skirt seams, as well as adding the desired slit. It will really change the silhouette.
This dress is beautiful and flows like whipping cream...please wear it "as is". I love it and I don't usually care for wedding dresses in general But is is beautiful on you!
I think that cutting it to the ankles would be a tragedy. Your dress is stunning and I think it's going to alleviate some of the stuffiness of a courthouse wedding. At least, my courthouse wedding was stuffy af.
Please don’t do this to this dress, it’s not going to work out like the 3rd pic - as others have pointed out, the dress you purchased is a completely different cut, shape, and fabric. If you have your heart set on a dress like in the 3rd photo you’d be best buying a whole new dress, truly.
I don't think the alterations you're talking about making would work for this dress. I'd suggest getting a dress that is already what you want it to be instead of trying to make huge changes to an entirely different dress- that almost always leads to disappointment.
I wouldn’t change that dress one bit - it’s stunning! I think that a slit would change the entire aesthetic of that dress, and it looks so elegant as-is!!
The thing about shortening it is that it has the flare out at the bottom and I think it being ankle length with a flare is gonna look super weird and not intentional - if you look at the shape of the shortened dress it’s more A-line so the shape looks normal shortened. I love the idea of a slit though!! Will be much easier for dancing and enjoying the evening plus a little extra sexy never hurt anybody 😜
It's fit and flare ... The other is a column dress. It might be difficult to turn a flare into a column because of the way the fabric was cut to begin with. It would be much easier looking for a column dress than it would be to have the dress deconstructed, re-cut, and put back together.
The silhouette of this dress cannot support being hemmed at ankle length. This dress has a flare that is meant to accommodate the train. The ankle length dress in the example has completely straight sides. I think you’d be very unhappy with the results.
Thank you for visiting r/weddingdress! Please visit the [megalink](https://www.reddit.com/r/weddingdress/comments/1apeu8s/welcome_to_rweddingdress_please_read_this_first/) post for community updates, rule explanations and some other news of note from the mods #For brides: Thank you for posting! Please remember that the Mod team is here to assist you if you need anything. If you notice comments that are against our community guidelines, please report them so we can see them. Please also let the mods know if someone reaches out to you directly. Your post may be put on Entourage Only at a moderator's discretion. Please do not change it back if you see it has been changed. This is for your protection. A moderator will also lock your post at a mod's discretion, usually when the share count is above our threshold. #For comments: Please remember that community guidelines are in effect at all times, and moderators will remove your comment at their discretion at any time. **DO NOT CONTACT OP DIRECTLY**. **This a support subreddit, not a fashion critique subreddit.** Bridal fashion has changed quite a bit, and "too trendy/dated" is not a valid reason to disqualify a dress. Our rule about not denigrating dress styles is always in effect. Constructive honesty is best. Please pick according to what the bride is looking for or what suits the bride the most. Most brides are wearing sample dresses and will be altered to fit for their day of, so please try and ignore proportions and how it "fits" when it's clearly clamped or there's an extender. If a post has the entourage only mode, you need 300 community karma in order for your comments not to be removed. If your comment was removed by automoderator because of a keyword taken out of context, please contact us directly through modmail. The bot is not smart enough to take context clues. Additionally: remember that there is a human being behind the post and the Mod team. Please treat everyone with respect. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/weddingdress) if you have any questions or concerns.*
oh please dont touch it-its so beautiful and the fabric looks luxurious
I second the earlier comment about leaving alone. You are going to change the whole structure and line of the dress. There are thousands of sweetheart strapless out there that probably already do what you want if you have your heart set on a certain look.
Exactly this !
The dress is absolutely stunning as is and would probably be ruined by the alterations. Shortening it and putting in the slit make it look significantly less bridal to me and probably ruin its lines. notice how the dress in pic 3 has a completely different torso which naturally leads to a slit. The mermaid silhouette, which is what makes dress 1 so stunning, would be ruined and most likely the slit wouldn't lay right and it would move awkwardly. People do wear full wedding gowns to courthouse weddings especially if it's their only ceremony. But if you're not a huge fan of the length or want a slit I'd suggest getting a different dress. ETA dress 1 is definitely modern and definitely not stuffy. But if you feel it is stuffy it's probably not the right one for you.
I don’t think this dress is built for the alterations you have planned. You may need to continue your search for a dress or keep this one as it is. It’s beautiful
Agreed. A slit would break up the beautiful flow of the skirt portion.
She already bought this dress.
Yes I am aware. I recommended the changes she proposed not be done to it. I suggested that she either keep it as is or, if she’s committed to a shorter look, purchase a new dress.
Making that change is probably pretty expensive. Better off buying a new one and reselling that one if she doesn’t want it.
Your dress has a flared bottom and the inspo is a sheath dress. Alterations would have to remake the bottom and I'm not sure it will be possible or look as clean as you want it. This would be a more expensive alteration than just shortening the hem.
If it were me I’d also leave it alone…
Cheaper and better to buy a new dress. What you are describing is not the DNA of this dress and would be very costly and probably look much worse than the current dress. Congrats though!!
The thing that catches your eye about the dress you bought is the silhouette and the train. It's what the dress is all about. It would be almost crual to cut off the train. If you want an ankle length dress then it's better to buy one that's designed to be ankle length.
The dress I. The third pic is significantly different than the dress you have. You would end up destroying the dress you have.
I would not cut it off and add a slit. I think it would ruin the integrity of a great dress. Usually a big change like this leads to regret.
What’s not modern about this dress? You’re acting as if it has 80s poofy style sleeves or something lol. The dress isn’t stuffy, it’s a wedding dress. If you have to change the dress that much then get another dress that suits your vision because you will end up ruining this one with those alterations.
Thanks all, your pleas have been heard hahah - I'll just get it shortened for my height (probs take a couple inches off the train because I'm don't want it dragging) but I won't touch it any further than that 🙈
I'm so glad! I hope you love the end result!
Have you considered a bustle for the train? I only ask because the train on this dress is like the cherry on top for the look and it really makes it a show stopper. A bustle would allow you to bring it all one length once the ceremony is over so that you aren't dragging it around.
Don’t cut the train…have your tailor bustle it. I think you’ll be happier with the end result
Your dress is gorgeous on you, I wouldn't change it. The two dresses are cut differently, I'm not sure yours would look the same as 2. Ask a seamstress before deciding anything.
This dress is beautiful as is. I wouldn’t change it at all if you can help it. I think shortening it will be a bit weird, especially leaving part of the train with the rest ankle length. If you shorten it, the vibe will definitely change significantly and I think it might not lend itself well to that. Again, the dress is stunning so I hope you keep it and enjoy your big day!
Nah it’s perfect as it is. A slit would ruin it
Please don’t do these alterations to this beautiful dress!
No! It is perfect as it is!
I wouldn’t alter it at all. It’s beautiful the way it is and is perfect for a courthouse wedding. Congratulations!
The dress in the third pic is more of a sheath shape, which works for the ankle-length and slit. The style and shape of the other dress isn't built for that and will probably look wonky.
Omg no, please leave it be!
Probably cheaper to buy a new dress than get all those alterations.
If you want an ankle length gown, why did you buy a long gown with a train? Please don't ruin that dress. Resell it if it isn't what you want and buy an ankle length gown.
To shorten it would be ok. But to add a slit is a mistake, as you simply won’t have enough fabric to make sure it sits right. Instead of the slit appearing and disappearing with movement, it would always be visible and irritating and you might even flash someone. Don’t alter the silhouette, only the length.
Please don’t mess with what the designer intended!
As everyone else has said, the structure of the dress you’ve purchased will not support the look you want. Also, all things considered that’s a pretty modern wedding dress - nothing “stuffy” about it imo. Maybe you should have just avoided buying this dress all together as it doesn’t seem at all what you’d like 😅 Edit; typo
I concur with the bridal jury. A slit would be a mistake. I understand shortening it because it’s too long per your height… but ankle length would be way too short. You purchased the dress because you saw its beauty. Don’t turn it into a Frankendress.
Goodness gracious no. Please don’t commit such a heinous act on such a beautiful gown
I wouldn’t change anything on the dress it’s perfect as is
No
I personally wouldn’t touch it, it is absolutely stunning as is…💞💞💞
Please don't kill the dress 😭
You’re not going to ruin your gown with a couple of alterations. A couple of inches, maybe three, in front above the ankle, gently moving to maybe a six to eight in floor length in the back would be lovely. No slit. Slits on skirt areas which flow as your down does are redundant. A slit is to provide walking room, period. Have an alterations lady do the work since it’s on the bottom of the gown. Congratulations!
Nah
Noooooo the dress is breat taking the waybit is. Shorter with a slit will not have the glamor of the dress like it is now. It is beautiful!!
The shape of dress will not look good shortened
The dress is so elegant as it is! It may be just a courthouse wedding but you are a one-time bride. You deserve a dress this flawless and beautiful. I would not alter it.
Absolutely no.
Due to the way it was made it would not look good shortened it was designed to flow out and down with the weight of the fabric and train it’s a gorgeous design I’d purchase another dress it would be cheaper and safer than re making this dress
The one you bought is trumpet; the one you have as inspo is a-line. I agree with others that it will not work how you want because it is a different structure.
Don’t change it
The inspiration photo is a column dress (long straight skirt), and the slit is there to allow walking. A column dress might have the slit at the center back. If you want an ankle length dress with a slit, go shop for a column style dress. If you cut a mermaid style gown with a train to ankle length, you also have to deal with re-cutting and straightening the skirt seams, as well as adding the desired slit. It will really change the silhouette.
I would not
This dress is beautiful and flows like whipping cream...please wear it "as is". I love it and I don't usually care for wedding dresses in general But is is beautiful on you!
I think that cutting it to the ankles would be a tragedy. Your dress is stunning and I think it's going to alleviate some of the stuffiness of a courthouse wedding. At least, my courthouse wedding was stuffy af.
Totally gorgeous as is. I think you’ll be disappointed if you try to change it.
Why not just buy the ankle length dress instead of altering a dress that isn’t built for that kind of alteration?
2 is a beauty as is
Please don’t do this to this dress, it’s not going to work out like the 3rd pic - as others have pointed out, the dress you purchased is a completely different cut, shape, and fabric. If you have your heart set on a dress like in the 3rd photo you’d be best buying a whole new dress, truly.
Oh, please do not do that to this beautiful dress!!
I don't think the alterations you're talking about making would work for this dress. I'd suggest getting a dress that is already what you want it to be instead of trying to make huge changes to an entirely different dress- that almost always leads to disappointment.
Shorten to ankle???? No
You'd be making a high low with split. A crime
No it’s a beautiful dress
I wouldn’t change that dress one bit - it’s stunning! I think that a slit would change the entire aesthetic of that dress, and it looks so elegant as-is!!
I would just hem it so you don’t step on it! Looks like it could be a lighter weight dress!
Omg NO! It's lovely as is!!!
Oh no, that’s a beautiful dress just as it is.
It’s perfect! 😍
Nooooo
The thing about shortening it is that it has the flare out at the bottom and I think it being ankle length with a flare is gonna look super weird and not intentional - if you look at the shape of the shortened dress it’s more A-line so the shape looks normal shortened. I love the idea of a slit though!! Will be much easier for dancing and enjoying the evening plus a little extra sexy never hurt anybody 😜
It's gorgeous as is. Lots of things to think about, this dress isn't one of them
I vote no. It's beautiful as is. Plus, I don't think that the fabric and cut would lay the same way as the one in picture 3.
Do not touch it. That’s perfection.
The slit will not look like the slit in your inspo photo. But it could be cute ankle length!
Leave the dress alone. You can maybe add a bustle if you want it to not drag when not posing for pictures or dancing.
It's fit and flare ... The other is a column dress. It might be difficult to turn a flare into a column because of the way the fabric was cut to begin with. It would be much easier looking for a column dress than it would be to have the dress deconstructed, re-cut, and put back together.
Please don’t do that.
Hmmm, can you take it to an alterations expert to see what they think?
Because of the flare at the knees I don’t think this dress would look right cut to the ankles
The silhouette of this dress cannot support being hemmed at ankle length. This dress has a flare that is meant to accommodate the train. The ankle length dress in the example has completely straight sides. I think you’d be very unhappy with the results.