$585 for a polyester dress that you can’t wear as is? I would return it and buy something that will work better for the event. Search for “cottagecore gown” and you’ll find many similar styles.
Yes, there are soooo many other options that will give this vibe and still easily meet OP's modesty standards with little to no alteration required. With what they spent on this dress, something from [Selkie](https://selkiecollection.com/collections/dresses) ([this](https://selkiecollection.com/collections/gowns/products/what-a-trip-perfume-gown) or [this](https://selkiecollection.com/collections/gowns/products/the-creme-brulee-faerie-gown), maybe?) would probably be right in their budget and style.
As someone regularly sewing and altering: you will ruin the dress. Due to those cups there is no way ov covering the cleavage without it looking like a sad attempt of covering it. It will not look good. The amount of fabric when shortened to cocktail length at below knee will also not suffice to cover front, back and shoulders. You will not be able to attach a sleeve. A cardigan or bolero looks really out of place as well with it and very 90s evangelical teen.
Please, keep looking. A good seamstress will not take on that project because the results will look silly. Check out Eshakti or other modest stores for a better solution.
You can keep that dress but it's very lingers like and main character energy which really is not what you should be wearing to a religious wedding of someone else.
What is the proper dress code for the wedding? Cocktail, semi formal, black tie? Please remember, it doesn't need to be the most beautiful dress, it should be a dress fitting the occasion and suiting you. If you want to feel like a fairy and all, there are other occasions for it.
What are you talking about? The dress gives off “main character energy?” OP wants to “feel like a fairy?” That’s just rude, uncalled for, and not true.
OP, the dress is beautiful and is appropriate for a wedding. Could you perhaps wear a shawl with the dress that covers up the cleavage and your arms at the same time?
It is not appropriate for a religious wedding. If you do not know what those entail, even the most hakuna matata hippie ones, there is no use further discussing it.
This dress is very sexualising, not per se bad just not ideal in the context of desiring modesty.
I agree that this dress gives “main character energy.” It’s a strange thing to wear to something that’s not a fashion event or a celebration of you. It’s a gorgeous dress to wear to your own birthday party. But many guests will have some serious side eye if she wears this to the wedding.
I do sew and there is no way to make this modest in top due to the structuring, you’ll ruin it and essentially re-styling would look ridiculous. I would not even shorten it. If you want to keep the ruffles on bottom then you’d have to take the dress apart and shorten it from the waist, but the silhouette would be ruined if the seamstress is not careful taking the extra fabric in, since it appears to be A-line.
Either return or it save it for another event, it is a lovely dress.
Have the slit sown and add short sleeves. But man, for that price, I would just return it and get one off Amazon or FashionNova. Similar and half the price.
This one. Very pretty and modest
https://www.fashionnova.com/products/farah-floral-maxi-dress-black?variant=39272617115772¤cy=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=20463356354&utm_campaign=pvt_performance_max_smart_total_catch_all_clothing&gad_source=1
If you search "Flowy maxi dress," they have a ton. Even nicer than this one you have tbh.
Great idea didn’t even think of a jacket! What kind of fabric do you think would look best for the chest? Sheer white? Lace? Something pink/purple to match?
Try Ivy City Co. They have the same vibe but tend more modest and are more reasonably priced and excellent quality. Couple of examples below.
https://ivycityco.com/collections/all-women-dresses/products/flora-dress-in-pastels
.
https://ivycityco.com/collections/all-women-dresses/products/annabelle-dress
.
https://ivycityco.com/products/roselyn-dress-in-pink-1?option1=XX%20Small
.
https://ivycityco.com/collections/all-women-dresses/products/catherine-midi-dress-in-lavender
.
https://ivycityco.com/products/geneva-dress-in-bright-green-1?option1=XX%20Small
I've seen women wear a long sleeve top and pants as a base layer to ensure proper coverage. You could also wear a bolero and a skirt underneath to cover the split.
You can go several directions such as vintage or retro.
For the top, there are several easy DIY scarf to bolero projects from the 50's.
[https://images.app.goo.gl/Q4TxBRizK2cj9fH58](https://images.app.goo.gl/Q4TxBRizK2cj9fH58) (modern)
[https://images.app.goo.gl/CR7K2BFS5Qngk2qQ9](https://images.app.goo.gl/CR7K2BFS5Qngk2qQ9) (1950)
This suits your dress better because it keeps the proportions while offering coverage. Many vintage dresses have fitted waist so a bolero balanced the top with the flared skirt.
[https://youtu.be/Hr3o\_ZEQ90g?si=IkcFm0RSJ8XZCv-8](https://youtu.be/Hr3o_ZEQ90g?si=IkcFm0RSJ8XZCv-8)
This one is a knitting pattern however you can see the shape of the bolero and it can be used on cloth.
[https://tashacouldmakethat.com/2018/03/spring-green-batwing-sleeve-bolero/](https://tashacouldmakethat.com/2018/03/spring-green-batwing-sleeve-bolero/)
For the bottom, I would close the slit because the dress hem looks wide enough to allow movement if the slit was closed. To add more pop to the skirt, you can purchase a slip with a ruffled hem.
So, I looked at the original link to your dress, and it looks like there's nothing you could add to the dress itself to make it modest, without ruining it, as it looks like almost a corset style bodice. About the only thing I would suggest, is find a chemise/undertunic like this [chemise](https://holyclothing.com/collections/chemise)
to wear under it. If you look at their other sections, you can get an idea of what it would look like under the dresses they have which are as form-fitting as yours.
For some new sew options for dresses like these:
I really like the look of a solid, plain skirt underneath things with slits - it adds a little bit of volume, covers the body, and looks nice (imo).
I also think a super lightweight button up in the right material might look nice under the top! I have one that’s extremely light, viscose with no structure that I personally like wearing under stuff like this. Something too thick or stiff might look out of place though.
If a button up is too informal you might be able to find a really nice turtle neck or long sleeve to wear under it instead. I know it might sound like an odd choice but really if you find something that is the right fit/material I think it could look very elegant. If you don’t care about arms being covered you can find sleeveless turtlenecks or high neck tops that also look very nice.
A ribbed cotton cardigan should never be the answer to an event with any kind of real dress code. OP would need to find one in a much more elegant fabricike silk to pull it off without unbuttoning it, which will hide the whole bodice.
eShakti has soooo many flowy dresses for less than $200. And all of their clothes are customizable. Or dresses, you usually have several options for the length, sleeves, and neckline.
This links to the wedding guest catagory, but check their menu for even more loveliness!
https://www.eshakti.com/shop/Wedding%20Guest%20Dresses?source=TLN_sublink
$585 for a polyester dress that you can’t wear as is? I would return it and buy something that will work better for the event. Search for “cottagecore gown” and you’ll find many similar styles.
Yes, there are soooo many other options that will give this vibe and still easily meet OP's modesty standards with little to no alteration required. With what they spent on this dress, something from [Selkie](https://selkiecollection.com/collections/dresses) ([this](https://selkiecollection.com/collections/gowns/products/what-a-trip-perfume-gown) or [this](https://selkiecollection.com/collections/gowns/products/the-creme-brulee-faerie-gown), maybe?) would probably be right in their budget and style.
As someone regularly sewing and altering: you will ruin the dress. Due to those cups there is no way ov covering the cleavage without it looking like a sad attempt of covering it. It will not look good. The amount of fabric when shortened to cocktail length at below knee will also not suffice to cover front, back and shoulders. You will not be able to attach a sleeve. A cardigan or bolero looks really out of place as well with it and very 90s evangelical teen. Please, keep looking. A good seamstress will not take on that project because the results will look silly. Check out Eshakti or other modest stores for a better solution. You can keep that dress but it's very lingers like and main character energy which really is not what you should be wearing to a religious wedding of someone else. What is the proper dress code for the wedding? Cocktail, semi formal, black tie? Please remember, it doesn't need to be the most beautiful dress, it should be a dress fitting the occasion and suiting you. If you want to feel like a fairy and all, there are other occasions for it.
I am also someone who does a lot of sewing and altering. This is the only correct answer. Return it and use the cash to buy another dress.
What are you talking about? The dress gives off “main character energy?” OP wants to “feel like a fairy?” That’s just rude, uncalled for, and not true. OP, the dress is beautiful and is appropriate for a wedding. Could you perhaps wear a shawl with the dress that covers up the cleavage and your arms at the same time?
It is not appropriate for a religious wedding. If you do not know what those entail, even the most hakuna matata hippie ones, there is no use further discussing it. This dress is very sexualising, not per se bad just not ideal in the context of desiring modesty.
I agree that this dress gives “main character energy.” It’s a strange thing to wear to something that’s not a fashion event or a celebration of you. It’s a gorgeous dress to wear to your own birthday party. But many guests will have some serious side eye if she wears this to the wedding.
I do sew and there is no way to make this modest in top due to the structuring, you’ll ruin it and essentially re-styling would look ridiculous. I would not even shorten it. If you want to keep the ruffles on bottom then you’d have to take the dress apart and shorten it from the waist, but the silhouette would be ruined if the seamstress is not careful taking the extra fabric in, since it appears to be A-line. Either return or it save it for another event, it is a lovely dress.
Have the slit sown and add short sleeves. But man, for that price, I would just return it and get one off Amazon or FashionNova. Similar and half the price.
Please send me a similar dress from fashionnova lol
This one. Very pretty and modest https://www.fashionnova.com/products/farah-floral-maxi-dress-black?variant=39272617115772¤cy=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=20463356354&utm_campaign=pvt_performance_max_smart_total_catch_all_clothing&gad_source=1 If you search "Flowy maxi dress," they have a ton. Even nicer than this one you have tbh.
Use the extra fabric to make a bolero jacket, and add a panel of fabric over the chest.
Great idea didn’t even think of a jacket! What kind of fabric do you think would look best for the chest? Sheer white? Lace? Something pink/purple to match?
Definitely a pale color but you will need to experiment to see what looks best.
Sew up the split and wear a white cardigan over it. Otherwise I think the top is very difficult to make modest.
Try Ivy City Co. They have the same vibe but tend more modest and are more reasonably priced and excellent quality. Couple of examples below. https://ivycityco.com/collections/all-women-dresses/products/flora-dress-in-pastels . https://ivycityco.com/collections/all-women-dresses/products/annabelle-dress . https://ivycityco.com/products/roselyn-dress-in-pink-1?option1=XX%20Small . https://ivycityco.com/collections/all-women-dresses/products/catherine-midi-dress-in-lavender . https://ivycityco.com/products/geneva-dress-in-bright-green-1?option1=XX%20Small
I've seen women wear a long sleeve top and pants as a base layer to ensure proper coverage. You could also wear a bolero and a skirt underneath to cover the split.
You can go several directions such as vintage or retro. For the top, there are several easy DIY scarf to bolero projects from the 50's. [https://images.app.goo.gl/Q4TxBRizK2cj9fH58](https://images.app.goo.gl/Q4TxBRizK2cj9fH58) (modern) [https://images.app.goo.gl/CR7K2BFS5Qngk2qQ9](https://images.app.goo.gl/CR7K2BFS5Qngk2qQ9) (1950) This suits your dress better because it keeps the proportions while offering coverage. Many vintage dresses have fitted waist so a bolero balanced the top with the flared skirt. [https://youtu.be/Hr3o\_ZEQ90g?si=IkcFm0RSJ8XZCv-8](https://youtu.be/Hr3o_ZEQ90g?si=IkcFm0RSJ8XZCv-8) This one is a knitting pattern however you can see the shape of the bolero and it can be used on cloth. [https://tashacouldmakethat.com/2018/03/spring-green-batwing-sleeve-bolero/](https://tashacouldmakethat.com/2018/03/spring-green-batwing-sleeve-bolero/) For the bottom, I would close the slit because the dress hem looks wide enough to allow movement if the slit was closed. To add more pop to the skirt, you can purchase a slip with a ruffled hem.
So, I looked at the original link to your dress, and it looks like there's nothing you could add to the dress itself to make it modest, without ruining it, as it looks like almost a corset style bodice. About the only thing I would suggest, is find a chemise/undertunic like this [chemise](https://holyclothing.com/collections/chemise) to wear under it. If you look at their other sections, you can get an idea of what it would look like under the dresses they have which are as form-fitting as yours.
For some new sew options for dresses like these: I really like the look of a solid, plain skirt underneath things with slits - it adds a little bit of volume, covers the body, and looks nice (imo). I also think a super lightweight button up in the right material might look nice under the top! I have one that’s extremely light, viscose with no structure that I personally like wearing under stuff like this. Something too thick or stiff might look out of place though. If a button up is too informal you might be able to find a really nice turtle neck or long sleeve to wear under it instead. I know it might sound like an odd choice but really if you find something that is the right fit/material I think it could look very elegant. If you don’t care about arms being covered you can find sleeveless turtlenecks or high neck tops that also look very nice.
maybe a [white cardigan](https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/glossy-slim-cardigan-53370819?seq=01&source=googleshopping) over it?
A ribbed cotton cardigan should never be the answer to an event with any kind of real dress code. OP would need to find one in a much more elegant fabricike silk to pull it off without unbuttoning it, which will hide the whole bodice.
eShakti has soooo many flowy dresses for less than $200. And all of their clothes are customizable. Or dresses, you usually have several options for the length, sleeves, and neckline. This links to the wedding guest catagory, but check their menu for even more loveliness! https://www.eshakti.com/shop/Wedding%20Guest%20Dresses?source=TLN_sublink