Why Alterations and the Price of Your Dress Are Entirely Separate Conversations
It’s a common misconception that the price of your wedding or formal dress is somehow tied to the cost of alterations. Let’s set the record straight: the cost of a dress and the cost of alterations are entirely unrelated. One is a product, the other is a service—and they operate on very different principles.
The Difference Between Goods and Services
When you purchase a dress, you're paying for a product—something that has been manufactured, often in bulk, to a pre-designed standard. Many dresses are made overseas, in countries with lower wages, and sometimes in less-than-ideal conditions. Factories rely on mass production techniques, like laser cutters and standardized sizing, which help bring down the cost.
Alterations, on the other hand, are a bespoke service tailored specifically to you and your body. They require skill, time, and precision. Every stitch, every adjustment, is done by hand by skilled professionals who are paid a fair wage. Alterations are not mass-produced—they’re custom work.
The Process of Altering a Dress
When you bring your dress to be altered, the seamstress doesn’t start with a blank slate. We often need to unpick the original construction, carefully removing stitches without damaging the fabric or design. Once that’s done, we then re-sew it to fit your exact measurements. This process can take just as long—if not longer—than making the dress in a factory setting.
Here’s the kicker: it doesn’t matter if your dress cost $10,000 or $10 from an op shop—the work required to alter it remains nearly the same. In some cases, cheaper dresses are actually harder to work with because:
The fabric frays easily: Lower-quality materials can be fragile and tricky to handle.
Beads and embellishments are sewn through multiple layers: This means extra time spent delicately unpicking and reworking the design.
Shortcuts in construction: Cheap dresses often use techniques that save time during production but make alterations much more challenging.
Budgeting for Both Your Dress and Alterations
When planning your budget, it’s essential to treat your dress and alterations as two separate expenses. Sometimes you’ll only need a minor tweak, like hemming the length or taking in the sides. Other times, your dress may require a full reconstruction to achieve the perfect fit. Either way, it’s best to plan for alterations as part of your overall dress budget to avoid surprises.
Think of it this way: you wouldn’t compare the price of getting your nails done to the cost of getting your brows or tan done. Yes, they’re all about enhancing your appearance, but they’re entirely separate services, each with its own process, materials, and expertise.
The Bottom Line
Alterations are about making your dress fit you—your body, your shape, and your style. It’s not about how much the dress cost but about how much work is needed to make it perfect for you. Whether you’re wearing a couture gown or a thrifted treasure, alterations are what make your dress truly yours.
So, next time you think about alterations, remember: you’re investing in a service that’s tailored specifically to you, not just your dress. Budget for both, and you’ll be one step closer to feeling amazing on your big day.
