4 Tips for Getting Your Prom Dress Altered

Finding the perfect prom dress can be a challenge. Even after you’ve found a dress that you love, chances are it may not fit you perfectly. Luckily, you can turn your dream dress into a comfortable, flattering garment with some key alterations. Explore four tips for getting your prom dress altered.

Budget for Alterations

Between prom tickets, a dress, flowers, and pre- or post-prom celebrations with friends, prom season expenses can add up. Though most dresses will require alterations, many high schoolers forget to factor in alteration costs as they plan their prom expenses. As you budget for your prom dress, don’t forget to include the cost of alterations so you can avoid going over your spending limit.

Don’t Put Alterations Off

Though the end of the school year can be a very busy time, don’t procrastinate getting your dress altered. As prom season gets closer, seamstresses and tailors will become busier and busier, making it harder to ensure your dress will be altered in time for the event. Additionally, your dress may require more time-consuming alterations depending on the style and fabric. When you find a dress, start looking for an alterations provider immediately.

Buy Bigger

While shopping for your dress, look for gowns that are larger than your normal size. Though buying something too big for you may seem counterintuitive, the additional fabric will make altering your dress much easier. Don’t worry—after your dress is altered, it will fit you perfectly.

Bring Your Shoes

If you already have a pair of shoes for the big day, bring them along when you visit your alterations provider. This will help you and your seamstress or tailor determine how much or how little the hemline of your dress needs to be raised. If you attend your fitting wearing sneakers but plan to wear heels, your dress may end up looking too short on the night of the dance.

As you prepare for prom, keep these four tips for getting your prom dress altered in mind. By buying a larger dress, planning for the cost and time of getting your dress altered, and bringing your shoes to your fitting, you’ll have a dress that fits you well and makes you feel confident at prom. Effie’s Boutique carries prom gowns by Jovani and many other designers—browse our shop to find the right style for you.