As soon as your dress arrives, don't wait until a few weeks before formal night. Our calendar fills quickly during formal season, and rushing alterations leads to rushed results. We recommend booking the moment your dress is confirmed, even if your event is still months away.

Most formal alterations require two appointments: a fitting to pin and assess the work required, and a final fitting to confirm everything sits perfectly before you take your dress home. More complex alterations may need a third visit, which we'll let you know upfront.

Hemming is the most frequent, as formal gowns are rarely the right length off the rack. We also regularly take in or let out side seams, adjust straps and necklines, add modesty panels or boning, and repair or reinforce construction. Corset back conversions are also popular.

Yes, though online purchases often need more work than boutique dresses due to inconsistent sizing. We'll assess the dress at your first fitting and give you a clear scope and price before any work begins.

For rented dresses we work with temporary methods only, so nothing that can't be undone before it goes back. That includes adding cups, taking in with tacks, and fitting a waist stay. These changes make a real difference to how a dress feels and sits on the night without affecting the garment permanently. Just let us know at booking that it's a rental so we can plan accordingly.

Yes, these are common requests and ones we're very familiar with. Built-in cups give support without a bra, boning helps structure stay where it should through the night, and a waist stay stops the dress from dropping or twisting on the dance floor. If your dress doesn't have these and you think you'd benefit from them, just mention it at your fitting and we'll have a look at what's possible with the construction.

Alteration costs vary depending on the dress construction, the amount of work required, and the fabric involved. We provide a written quote at your first fitting appointment. Our minimum for non-bridal services is $120.

Let us know at the time of booking. If significant time separates your first fitting from formal night, we'll schedule your final fitting closer to the event date to account for any changes.

Wear or bring the undergarments and shoes you plan to wear on the night. These make a real difference to how a dress sits and how the hem is measured.

We triage jobs based on event date, so the closer your formal night, the sooner your alteration gets scheduled. Book as early as you can and we'll work backwards from your date to make sure everything is done in time. Last minute bookings can sometimes be accommodated but it's never guaranteed, so don't leave it too long.

Every dress gets a complimentary quick steam before it goes home with you. If you'd like a thorough, finish-perfect steam, we offer that for a small additional charge. Just ask at your fitting or when you book.