Skip to content

How to Shorten a Dress Without Sewing?

by JiangAshley 12 Feb 2025

Do you have a beautiful dress that's just a bit too long, and you're eager to wear it for the upcoming party but don't want to go through the hassle of sewing? Many women face a situation when their favorite dress turns out to be a little longer than it should be. In this guide, we'll explore some amazing techniques on how to shorten a dress without sewing. Whether it's that elegant evening gown that drags on the floor or a cute summer dress that could use a length adjustment, these methods are going to be your new best friends. To shorten a dress, you can belt it up, knot it up roll it up as well as use hem tape.

Before you start the process of shortening your dress, it is important to determine what length suits you. Take a look in the mirror and decide where exactly you want the dress to end. Some people like a shorter length to show off their legs, while others prefer to cut the dress to a more conservative length. Choose what you like and what suits your style.

a lady in a tweed bow tie neck jacket and a white mini skirt two-piece set
a lady in a lapel white shirt, a black tweed vest and a skirt two-piece set

Belt It Up to Create a Stylish Look

Adding a belt to the waist of your dress will help shorten it visually. Choose an accessory that matches the style of the dress and secure it at the waist. This will make the dress more harmonious and visually shorter.

The belt will play an important role in shortening your dress, so choose it carefully. The best belt is one that matches your dress or, on the contrary, contrasts with it. When choosing a color, consider the color of your dress and your accessory. A black or brown belt is a classic option, and they go well with most dresses.

Steps for Shortening Dress with Belt

Try on the dress. Before you start shortening, put on the dress and estimate the length you would like to get. Keep in mind that when the sole of your shoe increases, the dress may seem shorter or even become shorter. Therefore, have an idea of the desired length taking into account your shoes.

Fix the belt. Determine the point where you want to fix the dress with a belt. It all depends on the desired effect. After that, fasten the belt so that the dress is securely held, but you do not feel discomfort.

Check the result. Look in the mirror and access whether the resulting length meets your expectations. You may want to adjust the belt fastener and the dress shortening line to achieve the best result.

Tips on Belt Dressing

Belt High Waist. If your dress is too long, you can make it shorter by simply lifting it above your waist and securing it with a belt. This is a great way to accentuate your waist and create a dramatic look.

Belt Wrap. If you have a belt that is long enough, you can wrap it around your waist several times and tie it in a knot or a bow. This will lift the dress and make it appear shorter. This method creates an elegant and romantic look.

Two-tiered Belt. To create an interesting and stylish look, you can use two belts of different widths or colors. One belt will be below the waist, and the second one will be above. This will help to accentuate the waist and add elegance to the dress.

Belt at the back. If the dress has an open back or neckline, you can use a belt by pinning it on the back. This will create an interesting accent and allow you to change the length of the dress due to its stepdaughter.

Professional stylists say, “Shortening a dress with a belt is like magic, which allows you to turn an ordinary dress into a smart and fashionable thing. This simple trick will help you stand out from the crowd and give your image a special twist.”

Shortening a dress with a belt is a simple and stylish way to transform your clothes. With this technique, you can give a dress a new life while maintaining its original cut and style. Try using a belt to shorten a dress and achieve amazing results.

Change the Hem of Your Dress

If your dress has a hem, you can use it to shorten it. Simply fold the hem inward and pin it to ensure the dress fits perfectly. This method is especially effective if you want to shorten your dress for a short period of time, such as for a party or event. Once the evening is over, you can easily return the hem to its original position.

Tie the hem. It is a quick and easy way to shorten a dress. Spread the two sides of the hem and tie them in a knot. You can tie it on the side or on the back. The choice is yours. This method is suitable for dresses made of lightweight fabric, as it creates a romantic and playful look.

Gathering the hem is another easy way to shorten a dress. Gather the hem on one or more sides and secure it with a pin or invisible hairpin. This method is suitable for dresses with voluminous hems, because it emphasizes shape and volume.

Create a ruffle effect is also a great way to shorten a dress and give it an interesting look. Take a small piece of fabric from the bottom of the dress and pin it at the desired length. Then smooth out the remaining folds and secure the resulting ruffles with a pin or invisible pin.

a lady in a black top, a brown blazer and a brown skirt
a lady in a black top, a grey pleated skirt and a grey long wool coat

Hem your Dress

One of the easiest ways to hem a dress is to use pleats. You can create pleats to adjust the length of the dress and make it more suitable. To do this, you need to lay small pleats in the right places and secure them with invisible loops or pins.

But be careful that the folds do not create excessively voluminous or unpleasant folds that can spoil the overall appearance of the dress. Try different options to find what suits your dress best.

Another way to hem a dress is to use a special double-sided tape. This tape can be sewn on the inside of the hem and will help hold it in the desired position.

To use this tape, simply cut it to the desired length and glue it to the inside of the hem. Glue it to the back of the seam so that the tape is invisible. Hem the dress to the desired length and the tape will hold it invisibly.

Dressing with Accessories

If you still feel that your dress is too long, you can use accessories to create a certain effect. A long dress can be worn with a belt or scarf to make it more compact and visually shortened. You can also add volume with a petticoat or a layered highlight. These accessories will not only shorten your dress, but also add interest and style to your look.

If you want to shorten your dress but don't want to cut it or make other major alterations, you may want to consider purchasing accessories. Here are other elegant solutions for shortening your dress.

Ruffle. Buy a beautiful ruffle that can be sewn on the bottom of the dress. This will add extra length and style to the dress.

Lace. If you are looking for a soft and feminine option, lace is the perfect choice. Buy lace inserts or lace strips and sew them to the bottom of the dress.

Lining skirt. Buy a skirt lining at the desired length and wear it under your dress. This will add extra length and also create an elegant layer.

Choose the accessory that suits your dress and style, and your look will look elegant and stylish, even if you decide to shorten the dress.

a lady in a black ruffle collared mini dress
a lady in a plaid tweed dress with a belt

Tuck It in to Shorten the Hemline

If your dress has a voluminous top or a long skirt, try tucking it into the corset or skirt to create a shortening effect. Leave the top of the dress loose to preserve its style and silhouette.

Choose the Right Dress

When choosing a dress, pay attention to the length of the product. If you want to make it shorter without using scissors, pay attention to models that have fairly simple and easily changeable lines and shapes. This will allow you to make changes without much difficulty and maintain the harmony and elegance of your image.

Also, pay attention to the material and style of the dress. Summer dresses made of light and airy fabrics, such as cotton or linen, can easily be adapted to a shorter style. They usually have simple lines and minimal embellishments, making the process of changing the length easier.

Also pay attention to the proportions and silhouette of your figure. If you have long legs, then making the dress shorter will be even easier, as you can enjoy the effect of elongated legs. However, if you have short legs, you should be careful when shortening the length so as not to harm the proportionality of your figure.

Blog Left Arrow previous post
next post Blog Right Arrow
Blog Left Arrow Blog Left Arrow How to Wear a Pencil Dress?
What Shirt to Wear with Brown Pants? Blog Right Arrow Blog Right Arrow

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Close
Edit Option
this is just a warning
Close
Size Chart

Color:
Size: XXS
Close
LOGIN OR CREATE ACCOUNT
Close
Shopping Cart
0 items
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
All promotional items listed below are final sale*.
*Final sale: no returns or exchanges.

Shop Local, Get 10% Off!

  • Vietnam
  • Philippines
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand
  • Singapore
  • Myanmar
  • Brunei

Sign Up & Save 10%
Exclusive Local Styles