Contact Us
Philadelphia Location:
706 S. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Montgomery County Location:
1612 Norristown Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002
Contact Us
Philadelphia Location:
706 S. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Montgomery County Location:
1612 Norristown Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002
With inflation and rising wedding costs, more brides are looking for meaningful, cost-effective alternatives to buying a new gown. One trend seeing a major revival is the use of vintage wedding dresses—often passed down from mothers or grandmothers. These heirloom pieces offer more than just sustainable decisions, they tell a story, carry emotional value, and offer an opportunity to create something completely unique.
However, wearing a vintage dress as-is isn’t always feasible. Fabrics may have aged, sizing is often outdated, and stories have changed dramatically over the decades. That’s where expert vintage dress alterations come in—to preserve the story while making the dress feel like it was made for you.
The first step is assessing the gown’s condition. Alter My Dress team will check for fabric integrity, discoloration, and stitching that may need reinforcement. This is especially important for older dresses made of delicate lace, silk, or satin, which may not hold modern alterations without proper stabilization.
Next comes understanding the bride’s vision. Some want to preserve the silhouette but modernize details like sleeves, necklines, or length. Others prefer to use portions of the gown—like the lace or beading—and redesign the rest entirely. This stage includes:
Once a design plan is approved, the vintage dress alteration process begins. This may include reshaping bodices, resizing, adding linings, or merging fabrics from multiple dresses. Vintage dress work requires precision and patience; the amount of fittings depends on the intricacy of the project.
Pricing depends on the complexity of the work and the condition of the vintage gown. Are we talking about removing the sleeves, or reconstructing the bodice? Cost of dress alterations will be discussed in detail during our by appointment only complimentary discovery section.
We recommend contacting us as soon as you decide to begin with alterations of a vintage dress—whether the vintage dress is already in your possession or still stored elsewhere. If you have questions about starting from a vintage gown and need clarification on fit, fabric condition, or potential customizations, feel free to reach out.
For standard wedding dress alterations, we recommend starting 3 to 6 months before the wedding. Vintage dress transformations often require more time due to the delicate nature of older materials and the careful preservation they demand. The earlier you begin, the more flexibility and creative freedom you’ll have.
Absolutely. Many brides choose to retain key features—like lace from a 1960s gown or the neckline from an Edwardian dress—while updating fit and function. The result is a one-of-a-kind gown that respects tradition and reflects your personal style.
Even if the gown can’t be worn in its original form, parts of it can often be salvaged and repurposed. Brides frequently turn vintage pieces into:
Choosing to alter a vintage dress is a personal and meaningful decision. It’s ideal for brides who value sustainability, heritage, and uniqueness—and who are open to collaborating closely with a skilled artisan on their vision.
The process isn’t fast, and it’s not one-size-fits-all. But with the right team and enough lead time, a vintage gown can be transformed into something truly unforgettable.
“My dress was perfectly altered by my second fitting (three weeks later) and the dress fit like a glove. Priscilla's prices are transparent and she does not try to push anything on you. Super happy with the service and outcome of my dress.”
~ Linda Mak Google review
Next Alter My Dress blog article: How Much Do Wedding Dress Alterations Cost?
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Booking your vintage wedding dress alterations in Philadelphia and surrounding areas with Alter My Dress is simple. Just fill out the form at the bottom of this page and tell us about your dress and event date. We’ll take care of the rest.
Alter My Dress accepts fittings by appointment only. To book your vintage dress or formalwear fitting, fill out the contact form at the bottom of the website. Whether you found your gown online, inherited a vintage formal dress, or purchased it off‑the‑rack, our skilled seamstresses offer custom tailoring, precise gown alterations, and creative dress redesigns that adapt to your style, fit, and timeline. We understand that every dress, body, and formalwear vision is unique. That’s why we treat every project — whether it’s a prom gown hem, a cocktail dress modification, or a full silhouette transformation — with the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Alter My Dress proudly serves clients across:
If you’re searching for “dress alterations near me,” “formal gown tailoring,” or “prom dress fitting Philadelphia” — chances are, we’re already nearby.
See what others are saying: Read our Google Reviews
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Fill out the form below to book your first fitting with Alter My Dress today.
"Priscilla and her team are great. I got my dress perfectly altered, and she is very responsive. She even honored the lower price she had quoted me because I reached out so early that her going rate had changed. I definitely recommend for wedding dresses!"
"Priscilla altered my wedding gown and did it perfectly! She and her team were very thoughtful to make sure I felt beautiful in my gown and listened to all my points of concern. She delivered it timely and well pressed. It was a pleasure working with her. Highly recommend!"
Contact Us
Philadelphia Location:
706 S. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Montgomery County Location:
1612 Norristown Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002
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