When to alter a favourite dress rather than replace it

The dress you keep but never wear

Most wardrobes contain at least one: the dress that was perfect on the day you bought it, or the one you were given for a special occasion, which now hangs untouched because something is not quite right. Perhaps the hem feels too long with the shoes you wear now, or the waist sits in the wrong place. Before deciding to let it go, it is worth asking whether an alteration would bring it back into use.

In our experience at the workshop in Christchurch, many of these dresses need far less work than their owners expect.

Signs a dress is a good candidate for alteration

A few clues suggest that altering is likely to be worthwhile:

• The fabric is in good condition, without thinning, fading or brittle seams.
• It fits well across the shoulders and bust, which are the hardest areas to change.
• The problem is length, waist, straps or a loose side seam.
• There is enough seam allowance inside to let out a little, if needed.
• You love the colour and fabric, and would struggle to find it again.

When replacement may be kinder

Sometimes the honest answer is that an alteration will not give you the dress you want. Heavily embellished fabrics, bias-cut designs that rely on the exact grain of the cloth, and dresses that need to change by several sizes can be difficult. Fabric that has perished under the arms or at the seams may not hold new stitching for long.

That does not always mean the dress has to leave your life. Fabric from a treasured piece can sometimes be made into something smaller, such as a cushion cover or a lining for a new garment.

What happens at an alteration appointment

Bring the dress and, ideally, the shoes and underwear you would wear with it. Dorota will look at how it is made, ask how you would like it to feel, and pin it on you where possible. You will then talk through what is realistic before anything is cut or unpicked. There is no obligation to go ahead once you have heard the options.

A little care makes all the difference

Altering a favourite dress is often the most sustainable choice, and it keeps a piece with memories attached in your wardrobe. If you are unsure, ring the workshop on 07918 554569 and describe it; that conversation alone is usually enough to tell whether a visit is worthwhile.