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Jillian
Devoted October 2017

Shortening a Ball Gown

Jillian, on August 30, 2017 at 2:27 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 12

I was just reading another post asking what people are doing with their dresses after their weddings. Even though I haven't had my wedding yet I started thinking what do I want to do with mine. Realistically I don't want to keep it for 20-30 years in case my future daughter (if I even have one) wants to wear it because I'm sure the style will be outdated. I saw a few responses about people shortening their dresses to wear again which I thought was a great idea. However I have a giant poofy ball gown. Has anyone shortened a ball gown? I'd obviously want the majority of the layers taken out, is this even possible? Would it look ridiculous or awful if I did this? I'm just curious!


12 Comments

Latest activity by Beachy, on September 3, 2017 at 1:04 AM
  • Rebecca
    Super October 2017
    Rebecca ·
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    I am contemplating shortening mine. I have a 50s style ballgown with a wedding jacket. It was common for women back then to shorten their dresses (if they weren't already tea length) and wearing them again. I keep going back and forth on this. I may just resell the whole thing.

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  • Jillian
    Devoted October 2017
    Jillian ·
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    The asymmetrical part can be taken off. It's attached separately from the dress. I just don't know if I want to sell it! I spent so much money on it and love it so much I'd hate to just wear it once.

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  • muriel
    Champion June 2018
    muriel ·
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    Where do you think you would wear it even if you shortened it? I would take the opportunity to sell it asap after the wedding. You can use the money for a holiday on your first anniversary.

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  • Jillian
    Devoted October 2017
    Jillian ·
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    My dress is actually blush so it's not bright white (not saying I would wear it to anyone's wedding) I saw a fun article about someone who wears her dress every anniversary. I love the idea, I just could not wear mine out as is. Also if it was shorter and the layers removed I don't think it would flare out right?

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  • J. Clo
    Master May 2018
    J. Clo ·
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    I love the idea of shortening it and wearing it on your anniversary every year. Perhaps a fancy dinner

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  • Erin Wood
    Master July 2017
    Erin Wood ·
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    I love your dress!! I'm not sure that would work. A dress maker could probably do something with it.

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  • The Band of Burtons
    Devoted December 2018
    The Band of Burtons ·
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    No advice. Idk how it would be done/look. Just wanted to say your dress is amazing and you look like Cinderella.

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  • Nancy Taussig
    Nancy Taussig ·
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    My mom's wedding gown was custom made for her. There was extra fabric which G'ma saved. She made a christening gown for me when I came along. There was still a bit of fabric left, so she dressed a 'bride' doll for me.

    When I got married in 1987, I bought a vintage gown (probably 1940s) that had a train. I had the whole thing shortened to tea length. A friend made us a toss pillow for our bed with the cut-off fabric.

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  • A
    Dedicated May 2018
    Ashley ·
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    Maybe if they took all the tulle out they would make it into a ruched asymmetric cocktail dress? It would require a creative seamstress and would probably cost quite a but it's doable. I'm invisioning something kind of like this.


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  • JJAF
    Super October 2019
    JJAF ·
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    Maybe a seamstress/dress maker can repurpose it somehow??

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  • Megan
    Just Said Yes August 2018
    Megan ·
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    Depending on the fabric, you may be able to dye it after shortening as well so it could be worn more easily for other events.

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  • Beachy
    VIP November 2017
    Beachy ·
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    My ballgown is getting hemmed. They are doing it from the waist.

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