Help me constrict myself into my Halloween dress!
October 20, 2010 11:29 AM Subscribe
There is a dress that I need to cram myself into on Halloween. It fits everywhere fine except for the waist, which is insanely tight - like can't quite zip up the back insanely tight. Basically I need to be about 1.5 -2 inches smaller in the waist area on Halloween. Help!
I have one of those bustier things with the hooks - like the kind that macy's sells for under wedding gowns - but even with it on the tightest setting the dress juuuuuuust zips up over it. I have visions of the dress ripping, and I don't think I am being paranoid, there is 'this is too tight and I have to hold my stomach in' and there is 'this is too tight and there are limits to what vintage promdress fabric can realistically handle' and I am solidly in the latter.
Do things like spanx tank tops do anything other than smooth things over? I'd be ok wearing a corset even, but I don't have one and I'd like to avoid spending $300 on a corset.
I'd like whatever I end up wearing not to be so painfully unsexy that my SO will forever view me with girdle-tinted lenses. What's my best option?
I have one of those bustier things with the hooks - like the kind that macy's sells for under wedding gowns - but even with it on the tightest setting the dress juuuuuuust zips up over it. I have visions of the dress ripping, and I don't think I am being paranoid, there is 'this is too tight and I have to hold my stomach in' and there is 'this is too tight and there are limits to what vintage promdress fabric can realistically handle' and I am solidly in the latter.
Do things like spanx tank tops do anything other than smooth things over? I'd be ok wearing a corset even, but I don't have one and I'd like to avoid spending $300 on a corset.
I'd like whatever I end up wearing not to be so painfully unsexy that my SO will forever view me with girdle-tinted lenses. What's my best option?
Best answer: Cheap corset. They usually sell 'em at higher-end, um, adult stores (Spice2Night has them. Um, a friend told me). You want one out of stiff, non-knit fabric. You can yank the laces as tight as you need (well, within readon).
posted by julthumbscrew at 11:36 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by julthumbscrew at 11:36 AM on October 20, 2010
Have you considered having the dress altered?
posted by rhizome at 11:37 AM on October 20, 2010 [8 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 11:37 AM on October 20, 2010 [8 favorites]
I know nothing about shapewear, but I do know that if you eliminate flour and sugar from your diet, you will lose a surprising amount of weight quickly, due to water loss. For me, it usually takes a couple of days to kick in, but then I'm amazed at how many inches come off fast. And it's mostly around the waist.
posted by MexicanYenta at 11:38 AM on October 20, 2010 [7 favorites]
posted by MexicanYenta at 11:38 AM on October 20, 2010 [7 favorites]
In 11 days, you could probably lose enough weight to fit into the dress without starving yourself (there's an episode of the Cosby Show where Claire Huxtable does a similar diet, all for a dress). It wouldn't be fun- you'd need to strictly count calories, work out, drink a lot of water- but you could do it. Me, I'd just buy a bigger dress.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:39 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:39 AM on October 20, 2010
Corset is the undergarment you are looking for. In order to lessen the amount you need to be smaller, you could look into having someone let the dress out as much as possible - if there are any seam allowances inside, you can get about a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch out of each seam, and if there are darts that run all the way up the front or back, someone who knows what they are doing could let those out as well. You might still want a shaping garment underneath, but constricting yourself by two inches is a lot.
posted by Medieval Maven at 11:40 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by Medieval Maven at 11:40 AM on October 20, 2010
Best answer: Put laces into the dress, corset style. It's so easy that I even managed it, and it was the first time I'd used a sewing machine.
posted by small_ruminant at 11:40 AM on October 20, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by small_ruminant at 11:40 AM on October 20, 2010 [5 favorites]
Well, Mrs. Busted managed to bust her yoga exercise outfit in the zipper because of this, so I think you have a right to be worried (thankfully, it was at home, so she swapped it out). We hacked it later by removing the zipper, sewing about 1-1/2" extra material on each side, and sewing a new zipper in.
On preview, seconding rhizome's suggestion, which I think is the simplest/cheapest/less constricting solution, but it depends on your sewing skills or finding someone to do the work in a time/price you're happy with.
posted by Old'n'Busted at 11:42 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
On preview, seconding rhizome's suggestion, which I think is the simplest/cheapest/less constricting solution, but it depends on your sewing skills or finding someone to do the work in a time/price you're happy with.
posted by Old'n'Busted at 11:42 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
I've worn Spanx (the Higher Power highwaisted shorts) and I feel like it holds me in quite a bit, enough to make the difference between "this dress is a bit too tight" and "I look good in this." It's all just elastic, though. So, there's nothing to really keep you from putting pressure on the zipper if you sit down the wrong way. I think this is what they make the hard stuff for (firm waist shapers/nippers).
posted by cabingirl at 11:43 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by cabingirl at 11:43 AM on October 20, 2010
Remember that any kind of foundation garment you use will add to the area over which the dress will need to zip. Depending on the overall tightness of the dress, using a thick-material'd corset or similar ensmallener to reduce in the waist may create problems zipping the dress over your upper back/hips/&c.
posted by elizardbits at 11:43 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by elizardbits at 11:43 AM on October 20, 2010
A waist cincher would definitely help and would be cheaper than a full corset. You might also be able to slightly modify the dress (or the way you wear it) to make it work.
If you're concerned about comfort or price, you could experiment with having someone sew you into the dress instead of using the zipper. If there is a flap of material covering the zipper, someone who is familiar with hand-sewing could possibly eek out an extra inch while sewing you into the dress.
Depending on the type of dress, you can also experiment with not zipping it fully but closing the hook closure at the neckline (if there is one). Wearing a wrap or sash to cover the open zipper would hide the evidence. I know that might not be an option, but maybe it would work with the accessories you're already using.
posted by annaramma at 11:46 AM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
If you're concerned about comfort or price, you could experiment with having someone sew you into the dress instead of using the zipper. If there is a flap of material covering the zipper, someone who is familiar with hand-sewing could possibly eek out an extra inch while sewing you into the dress.
Depending on the type of dress, you can also experiment with not zipping it fully but closing the hook closure at the neckline (if there is one). Wearing a wrap or sash to cover the open zipper would hide the evidence. I know that might not be an option, but maybe it would work with the accessories you're already using.
posted by annaramma at 11:46 AM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
If you do drink soda (sugar or diet), try not drinking any at all (or fruit juice either) for the next 11 days. Make no other changes. That alone might do it.
posted by toodleydoodley at 11:49 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by toodleydoodley at 11:49 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
This sounds like a job for Flexees. I have the Ultimate Slimmer Wear Your Own Bra Torsette Body Briefer which is awesome because it has straps so it doesn't roll down while I'm wearing it. They have several different kinds of waist shapers and most department stores sell them so they're widely available.
posted by crankylex at 11:53 AM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by crankylex at 11:53 AM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Yowza! only ONE of you suggested it should be the dress that is altered instead of her body?
Depending on when/gphow well the dress was made, it should have at least an inch of seam allowances that can be let out of either side (more if it has princess lines or darts). My first suggestion is go to a seamstress and ask her what to do. In 11 days and for not much coin you can definitely have something done to it, especially if you'll only be wearing it for one night. Even strips of matching or near matching fabric can be sewn in the sides to make it fit and be almost unnoticible. Get thee to a seamstress before considering starving yourself for a week and a half. Yeesh!
Besides, it used to be that we always made clothing fit our bodies, not the other way around!
posted by custard heart at 12:13 PM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Depending on when/gphow well the dress was made, it should have at least an inch of seam allowances that can be let out of either side (more if it has princess lines or darts). My first suggestion is go to a seamstress and ask her what to do. In 11 days and for not much coin you can definitely have something done to it, especially if you'll only be wearing it for one night. Even strips of matching or near matching fabric can be sewn in the sides to make it fit and be almost unnoticible. Get thee to a seamstress before considering starving yourself for a week and a half. Yeesh!
Besides, it used to be that we always made clothing fit our bodies, not the other way around!
posted by custard heart at 12:13 PM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Whoops, typos, on my phone, sorry!
posted by custard heart at 12:14 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by custard heart at 12:14 PM on October 20, 2010
Yowza! only ONE of you suggested it should be the dress that is altered instead of her body?
Well, based on cost, it's cheaper to quit drinking pop for two weeks than to go to the seamstress. Where I live it costs like $30 to reset a zipper. And since we're talking about an inch or two, well, it never hurts to have all the options.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:17 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Well, based on cost, it's cheaper to quit drinking pop for two weeks than to go to the seamstress. Where I live it costs like $30 to reset a zipper. And since we're talking about an inch or two, well, it never hurts to have all the options.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:17 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I almost hesitate to offer this recommendation, but... in college, my friend and I had leading roles in the school's production of a Restoration comedy, and realized once costumes were fitted that we just weren't going to have the proper silhouette (which was more about tiny-waistedness with maximum bosom-liftedness than slimness) without some further help. Accurate corsets weren't in the budget, so we made them out of duct tape. The results- after a bit of practice getting the right wrap- were fantastic. A leotard or long bodyshaper is probably the best foundation (we needed these to help keep things in place during the action of the play), but for a one-night thing you'd be fine with a tank top that goes down over your hips. Make a snug belt of tape around your waist, and then use that as an anchor to begin wrapping downwards as tightly as you like. When it's past your hips, begin again at the waist and wrap upwards. It can create a pretty spectacular decolletage if you want it to. Obviously don't wrap tape over exposed skin unless you want welts at the end of the night. Admittedly, the shiny silver look isn't the sexiest lingerie out there, but it can easily hold you in as much as your waist can possibly go without adding much back due to material thickness... and your SO may be amused if you let him cut you out of it at the end of the night.
posted by grar at 12:33 PM on October 20, 2010 [16 favorites]
posted by grar at 12:33 PM on October 20, 2010 [16 favorites]
Try cutting out all artificial sweetners wherever possible, in addition to cutting soda and juice.
posted by lootie777 at 12:35 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by lootie777 at 12:35 PM on October 20, 2010
I have to second grar's duct tape suggestion. It was my high school drama department's only way to afford the right costume look. Just please don't forget to wear something under it. Oh, and it will be hot, duct tape does not allow any air circulation.
posted by TooFewShoes at 12:58 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by TooFewShoes at 12:58 PM on October 20, 2010
Seconding Maidenform's Luvees brand. Their waistcincher is excellent and pulls me in by at least an inch.
posted by ukdanae at 12:59 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by ukdanae at 12:59 PM on October 20, 2010
As a confirmed admirer of Trannies and their Art (*sigh*) allow me to let you in on a little secret.... DUCT TAPE.
I nth all answers that include a proper waist cincher corset (the kind with laces and eye-hooks) but a good one can be pricey. If you go that route, you need a friend to cinch you in and tie the laces, btw.
...So really, just go with the Duct Tape!
I would powder my skin, and rely on the tape to adhere to itself. Suck it in, and wrap yourself in good. Carry some scissors so you can cut yourself out in a hurry if you need to.
Test it out. If it doesn't work... you're out a few bucks on the tape. Dieting pre-Halloween will help either way.
Good Luck!
posted by jbenben at 1:01 PM on October 20, 2010
I nth all answers that include a proper waist cincher corset (the kind with laces and eye-hooks) but a good one can be pricey. If you go that route, you need a friend to cinch you in and tie the laces, btw.
...So really, just go with the Duct Tape!
I would powder my skin, and rely on the tape to adhere to itself. Suck it in, and wrap yourself in good. Carry some scissors so you can cut yourself out in a hurry if you need to.
Test it out. If it doesn't work... you're out a few bucks on the tape. Dieting pre-Halloween will help either way.
Good Luck!
posted by jbenben at 1:01 PM on October 20, 2010
What kind of dress? Formal or costume? Could you with help from a friend pin a flap of fabric on one side of the zipper, pin the dress closed on you, then pin the other side of the flap over the pinned points?
Matching or coordinating fabric and a shawl to drape around as needed ...
posted by tilde at 1:26 PM on October 20, 2010
Matching or coordinating fabric and a shawl to drape around as needed ...
posted by tilde at 1:26 PM on October 20, 2010
I too am going to suggest letting the dress out.
If it's a vintage prom dress, it most likely has wider-than-modern seam allowances that you can let out even more than the eighth to a quarter inch you could take out on a modern dress. Letting out the seams by 1/2" on each side seam should give you enough ease.
This is a job that can be done by hand even, but it's dead easy if a friend lets you borrow their sewing machine.
posted by vespabelle at 1:41 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
If it's a vintage prom dress, it most likely has wider-than-modern seam allowances that you can let out even more than the eighth to a quarter inch you could take out on a modern dress. Letting out the seams by 1/2" on each side seam should give you enough ease.
This is a job that can be done by hand even, but it's dead easy if a friend lets you borrow their sewing machine.
posted by vespabelle at 1:41 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Is this a back zipper?
Take a peak at the outer fabric, around the zipper. If the dress is lined, you'll need to open a seam along the zipper, just an inch or two to get a finger inside. Likely there will be some extra fabric for you to work with. If not, you could add extra width by exposing more of the zipper's binding, or adding matching/complementary fabric.
Even if you don't have a sewing machine, hand sewing shouldn't take too long.
posted by fontophilic at 1:56 PM on October 20, 2010
Take a peak at the outer fabric, around the zipper. If the dress is lined, you'll need to open a seam along the zipper, just an inch or two to get a finger inside. Likely there will be some extra fabric for you to work with. If not, you could add extra width by exposing more of the zipper's binding, or adding matching/complementary fabric.
Even if you don't have a sewing machine, hand sewing shouldn't take too long.
posted by fontophilic at 1:56 PM on October 20, 2010
I wouldn't recommend dieting as your only way into the dress. We have no idea how much you can lose by Halloween here, and it would suck if you starve yourself for 2 weeks and then it turns out you still can't get into it and you haven't made any fabric adjustments in that time either. Not to mention that it might be nice to be able to eat at a Halloween party.
I can also recommend putting grommets into the back of the dress a la small_ruminant, turning it into an insta-lace-up corset and weaving a cord through the holes, and wearing a shawl over the whole thing if you're insecure about how it looks.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:24 PM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
I can also recommend putting grommets into the back of the dress a la small_ruminant, turning it into an insta-lace-up corset and weaving a cord through the holes, and wearing a shawl over the whole thing if you're insecure about how it looks.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:24 PM on October 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Holy answers, you guys are awesome!
I think firstly a trip to the local sex shops is in order (I mean, when isn't it?) to see if anyone has any affordable corsets, but barring that I need to see if can alter the dress at all. I need to take a better look at the dress seams, if it can be let out a tad I can attempt to achieve that this weekend with the help of a friend and a sewing machine.
I also really liked the DIY corset dressback idea, so I will look into that as well.
For the record, I was not asking a way to alter my body via dieting, I am pretty sure I know what I can drop in a week and a half and this is too tall an order. I will steer clear of juice and flour (I don't eat sugar) just to cover my bases, but no starvation will be occurring here, no worries.
I admit to being completely in love with the duct tape idea. I don't know if I will actually do it for the actual event, but the fact that THREE of you chimed in to recommend it means at least I will be doing a duct tape dress rehearsal just to see how ridiculous it looks.
I'll update on which solution I settle on, thanks again! Happy Halloween!
posted by 8dot3 at 8:58 PM on October 20, 2010
I think firstly a trip to the local sex shops is in order (I mean, when isn't it?) to see if anyone has any affordable corsets, but barring that I need to see if can alter the dress at all. I need to take a better look at the dress seams, if it can be let out a tad I can attempt to achieve that this weekend with the help of a friend and a sewing machine.
I also really liked the DIY corset dressback idea, so I will look into that as well.
For the record, I was not asking a way to alter my body via dieting, I am pretty sure I know what I can drop in a week and a half and this is too tall an order. I will steer clear of juice and flour (I don't eat sugar) just to cover my bases, but no starvation will be occurring here, no worries.
I admit to being completely in love with the duct tape idea. I don't know if I will actually do it for the actual event, but the fact that THREE of you chimed in to recommend it means at least I will be doing a duct tape dress rehearsal just to see how ridiculous it looks.
I'll update on which solution I settle on, thanks again! Happy Halloween!
posted by 8dot3 at 8:58 PM on October 20, 2010
Response by poster: And the winner was.... corset. It was a low-budget one, but a true cincher nonetheless.
I tried the spanx ideas and the dress didn't have enough seam allowance to let out a damn bit. And lordy, I was not comfortable but I fit in the dress and that's all I needed to do.
Thank you all for helping!
posted by 8dot3 at 6:45 PM on November 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
I tried the spanx ideas and the dress didn't have enough seam allowance to let out a damn bit. And lordy, I was not comfortable but I fit in the dress and that's all I needed to do.
Thank you all for helping!
posted by 8dot3 at 6:45 PM on November 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you need to squeeze softness into the right shape, shapewear could do it. Spanx for milder control, something like a squeem for hardcore help.
If you haven't worn stuff like this before, consider that taking 2 inches off your waist for a whole evening is pretty drastic. You will feel lightheaded much more easily; don't drink too much.
posted by peachfuzz at 11:35 AM on October 20, 2010