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Monday, July 4, 2011

No Sew Tutorial: Make a Neckline More Modest

As you may already know, I am a HUGE fan of maxi dresses but I find many of them to be a bit too revealing in the bust area - especially ones with a sweetheart neckline.  If I don't have to, I prefer not to have to do any major overhauls on my purchases (though hemming is always a must for shorties like me).  Here's a super easy and fast fix without any sewing needed.  All you need is a scarf!

Dress:  Old Navy Tiered Maxi Dress (old)
Scarf:  The Limited, $5 (didn't see online, but should be in stores)

What You'll Need:

  • Dress / Top 
  • Coordinating Scarf - the long, rectangular ones work best 

Step 1:  Slide your scarf behind the shoulder straps against your skin and center.  My dress conveniently had a loop here that added extra security.  You can either use a safety pin to secure or leave as is.

Step 2:  Take one end and thread it upwards at the middle of the bust.  Do the same thing with the other end.

(It will then look like this)

Step 3:  Now grab an end again and thread up through the opposite side.  Repeat with other end.

(Looks like this)

Step 4:  Take one end and wrap the shoulder straps with the scarf.  Take any excess and tuck into the back.  Repeat for the other side.

And you're done!  You should wind up with a pretzel-esque neckline :)



What do you think?  Would you try this?
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23 comments:

  1. LePetiteLemonJuly 4, 2011 at 8:23 AM

    Wow! This is ever-so CLEVER! I'm like squirming in my seat to try this out!! =D I guess I could stand to modest-fy some of my outfits...^_~ I love how your scarf matches so perfectly well with your maxi dress...love that color!

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  2. UnknownJuly 4, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    So SMART! I'm always so weary of showing too much of my non existent chest LOL!! I always put my there when I'm moving around which probably draws even more attention. I love this!

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  3. ElleJuly 4, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Just in time! I was thinking of ways to make that new F21 dress I got more modest, keep 'em coming. I really appreciate it! :)

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  4. Selvaggia CapizziJuly 4, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    This is a great tip!!! i want to try it!!! I have plenty of scarves!
    xx
    http://dontcallmefashionblogger.blogspot.com

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  5. mrs hbooJuly 4, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    I've always been uncomfortable in spaghetti strap dresses, so this is a great tutorial! I'm saving this for future reference. Genius!

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  6. PingJuly 4, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    how did you think to do that?! so clever! such a pretty scarf too.

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  7. vivalablondaJuly 4, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Hey nice DIY, your blog is really nice and the ideas are very original, thanks for sharing!

    xx

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  8. Lady SakuraJuly 4, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    Thanks for sharing this great tip! :D It's very pretty and clever.

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  9. AnonymousJuly 4, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    That is so clever!! It only works for sleeveless tops/dresses so I'll have to figure something out for those with sleeves ;D Thank you for this!

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  10. CJuly 4, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Oh my gosh, this is such a clever trick! I was excited about the "no sew tutorial" in the headline and the post didn't disappoint! Thank you for sharing; now I can give those items with revealing necklines a chance instead of just glossing over them quickly!

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  11. Karrisa_TJuly 4, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Great idea! While watching old Jane Austen movies, the characters would put lace under their revealing empire dresses to be more modest but this looks way cooler. :)

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  12. aki!July 4, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    OHHHH~ I can do this one.

    I also have a tank top I was wearing earlier today that had this problem. You're a genius.

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  13. GraceJuly 4, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    This is such a great idea, thanks so much!

    xx Grace
    Dream-Boating

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  14. SouthernScrapsJuly 5, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    I love this and would definitely try it. I'm always worring about low necklines. This is a fabulous idea.

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  15. AnonymousJuly 5, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Brilliant! I've been filling in deep v-necks with a knotted scarf (the buckaroo square knot is really fun to tie once you get the hang of it, and will preserve the V silhouette), but I have one particular baby-doll dress that I've never been able to wear comfortably. Can't wait to try it!

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  16. KileenJuly 5, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    this is genius! i have lots of v-necks that are just a little too low cut. will have to try this!

    cute & little
    Tru Luxe Jeans Giveaway

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  17. UnknownJuly 6, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    OMG this is awesome!!! I love love the look and it doesn't involve any sewing! LOL I have a BR dress that is so low cut that I no longer wear it!! Thanks SPG!

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  18. Natalie RykerJuly 6, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    love it! this is so different!

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  19. nooneJuly 6, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    that's a really nice DIY, it makes the dress unique and so much more interesting! and its easy too :D

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  20. LisaJuly 6, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    you are TRUELY a sewing goddess!! i actually love what you did because i really think that scarf you added makes your maxi a lot more interesting than it was before tehehe!

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  21. Fashion and NumberJuly 10, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Ah! You are so good and talented. Well, after reading your post, I actually tried my own way of doing it but to no avail. The scarf can't stay put at all. This clearly shows that I have no skill. I really need to have your blog opened on my iPhone and then try it in front of the mirror next time I want to work on this again.

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  22. SewPetiteGalJuly 10, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    LePetiteLemon - I saw this scarf at the store and just had to have it! Plus the $5 price tag was nice too ;) Would love to see how it works out for you!

    Elaine - Me too! I don't have much of a chest but what I do have I try to hide like crazy. :)

    Elle - Hehe, I actually just got a F21 maxi that I revamped this way too. I cut off the excess hem and pretzeled it around the straps for more coverage :)

    Francesca - Thanks! Would love to see your finished look! :)

    Olyvia - Aww, thanks so much! Hope it works out well!

    Ping - Hehe, I've been a little obsessed with alternate ways to tie scarves lately and wanted to see where else I could take it :)

    Vivalablonda - Thanks for stopping by and leaving such kind words! :)

    Lady Sakura - Thank you for the sweet comment!

    Jessy - I haven't figured out how to make sleeved items more modest yet either aside from just wearing a cami underneath, but if I think of one, I'll post it!

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  23. SewPetiteGalJuly 10, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Cee - Hehe, I'll think of some more no-sew tutorials then :)

    Hurricanekerrie - Ooh lace sounds so romantic - I'll have to try that too :)

    Aki - Thanks doll! Let me know how it turns out!

    Grace - Thank you! Hope it works well for you!

    Southern Scraps - Thanks! I worry about low necklines all the time - hope it works well for you!

    throughkseyes - I'm going to have to look up the buckaroo square knot! Thanks for the tip :)

    Kileen - Thanks so much! Would love to see how it turns out!

    Annie - Thanks sweetie! Hope it works for your BR dress!

    Natalie - Thanks so much!

    Pop Champagne - Thank you! I do love the pop of color this adds to the maxi :)

    Lisa - Thank you doll! I like how it adds some color to it for sure! Also love that accessories can be worn during and post pregnancy :)

    Fashion and Number - Oh no! Tutorial fail :( Which part comes loose?

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I'm the type of gal who gets giddy when I receive mail - it's no different with comments! I really appreciate the feedback and love hearing from you :)