Welcome to the Hervé Léger Sale For Alterations Guide. This resource is designed to help you ensure the perfect fit for your bandage dresses and evening knits.
When considering alterations, keep the following points in mind:
- Fit: Assess how the garment fits your body shape. Consider areas that may need adjustments such as the bust, waist, and hips.
- Length: Check the hemline. Ensure it falls at the desired length for your style preference.
- Comfort: Make sure the fabric allows for comfortable movement. Adjustments may be necessary for a better fit.
- Style: Think about how the alterations will affect the overall look of the dress. Maintain the design integrity while making necessary changes.
For your convenience, we recommend consulting with a professional tailor who has experience with delicate fabrics and structured designs. They can provide expert advice tailored to your specific needs.
By following this guide, you can achieve a flawless fit that enhances your Hervé Léger pieces. Enjoy your shopping experience!
What Tailors Can and Can't Change on a Bandage Dress
Bandage dresses are built differently from woven eveningwear, so it helps to know how they're made before booking a fitting. Most are constructed from horizontal or angled strips of stretch knit, often a blend of rayon, nylon and elastane, sewn edge to edge so that the bands themselves do the shaping. That construction is why the dress holds you in, and it's also why some alterations are straightforward while others are best avoided.
Usually workable
- Taking in side seams: A skilled tailor can often remove a small amount at the side seams, tapering evenly so the bands still meet cleanly. Keep changes modest. The knit already has negative ease, and over-tightening can cause the bands to ripple or pull at the seams.
- Shortening the hem: Removing a full band from the bottom is often the cleanest option. It keeps the finished edge consistent with the rest of the dress.
- Adjusting straps: Shoulder straps can sometimes be shortened to lift the bodice and fix gaping at the neckline.
Approach with caution
- Letting out: Seam allowances on bandage knits tend to be narrow, so there is rarely much fabric to release. If a dress feels tight, try the next size rather than counting on extra room.
- Altering zips: Back zips are stitched into stretch fabric under tension. Replacing or moving one takes care to avoid a wavy closure.
- Restructuring panels: Reworking the bands themselves can change the silhouette the dress was designed around.
Preparing for your fitting
Bring the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear, since both affect hem length and how the bodice sits. Ask the tailor whether they sew stretch knits regularly and whether they use a stretch stitch or a coverstitch machine. A straight stitch can snap the first time the fabric is pulled on. Allow extra time before an event in case you need a second fitting.
Before you buy, compare your measurements against our size guide. Starting with the closest fit keeps alterations small. For ideas on hem lengths and how different cuts are styled, browse the lookbook.
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