Check out our tips for cinching a tunic or dress.

Do you have a dress or tunic in your wardrobe that you love, but it's too big for your frame? Would you like to learn how to take in the waist of a garment easily, so you can accentuate your curves?

I'm here to help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I firmly believe that clothing should feel like a second skin and therefore be comfortable to wear. This is why I particularly enjoy bohemian fashion with its flowing and loose silhouettes.

However, wearing comfortable clothing doesn't mean it should hide our shapes or not enhance our figure!

Today, I'm sharing an easy sewing technique along with some super simple no-sew tips to adjust your clothes so that they flatter your figure.

To shape a tunic or dress using a sewing machine, wear it inside out and pin it to mark your waistline. Then, lay it flat and, using your machine and the measurements you've taken, sew a new, narrower seam at the waist in a curved shape. If you prefer not to sew your garment, you can use a belt or a cardigan clip to cinch it at the waist. This will help create a more defined silhouette and elegantly highlight your curves!

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:

• Why altering a garment is a great idea,
• An easy sewing tutorial to tighten a tunic at the waist,
• How to use a belt to enhance your silhouette,
• More information about a handy accessory: the cardigan clip,
• More tips and inspiring outfit examples featuring bohemian dresses and tunics.

Why Tailor Your Clothes?

Do you have a dress or a loose tunic that you'd like to enhance your figure a bit more? This issue is quite common: most clothing is designed to fit a typical body shape. Fortunately, we're all wonderfully unique!

Most of the time, it’s not too difficult to solve this issue: you generally just need to tighten your clothing slightly at the waist.

This will give you a more feminine look by highlighting your curves, especially your hips. Your silhouette will be refined, and the tunic or dress in question will truly enhance your appearance!

How to Shape a Tunic? [Sewing Tutorial 🧵]

To begin with, I’d like to introduce a technique that makes it easy to shape a garment using a simple sewing technique. If you’re not familiar with sewing, don’t worry; we’ll also cover some no-sew methods later in this article.

For those who have a bit of sewing knowledge, this is well within your reach. It's a simple and quick tip that should only take you about fifteen minutes if you have a sewing machine.

👉 You can watch the entire tutorial in this clear video, which allows you to clearly see the steps needed to perform your bending.

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric and Work Surface

Your fabric needs to be clean and, if it's made from cotton or linen, perfectly ironed. Any creases in these materials could misalign your seams and ruin the job!

Set up your sewing machine on a clean, clear table. Also, gather a few necessary tools and supplies for this DIY project, including:

• Some thread,
• Some pins,
• A pair of scissors,
• A marker.

Step 2: Mark the Folds

Put your top or dress inside out, then, ensuring that your garment is straight, pin your waist where you'd like it to be tighter. Do this symmetrically on both sides.

👉 If you can, ask a friend or family member to help you make sure your blouse is straight when you pin it down.

Next, place your clothing carefully to avoid pricking yourself.

Step 3: Redesign the Fit and Sew It

On the reverse side, mark the size at the point where you will sew with a fabric marker or a special sewing pen. Be sure to create a curve (or triangle, as shown in the video) so that the resulting cut appears natural.

Next, using your sewing machine, stitch along the drawn line. You can then turn your garment right side out and try it on. And there you have it, all done!

👉 Don’t forget to remove the pins!

How to Shape a Seamless Dress?

Don’t know how to sew or don’t have a sewing machine, but want a simple and effective solution? Don’t worry, I’ve put together a handy selection of no-sew techniques to fit your garment. Check them out in the following sections!

The Belt: Your Best Ally for Tightening a Loose Garment

Both stylish and practical, a belt is a highly versatile accessory that can be used with trousers, a tunic, or a dress. In the latter case, it helps to cinch and define the waist, while redefining the proportions of your silhouette.

➡ Indeed, it’s often recommended that when selecting an outfit, you aim to establish a proportion ratio of ⅓ for the top and ⅔ for the bottom, to achieve a harmonious look. This can be accomplished by wearing a wide belt at your waist.

For a chic bohemian style, opt for a fairly wide brown natural leather belt with a beautiful buckle. Make sure to adjust your clothes properly after putting on the belt so they don't get caught in it.

A miracle tip: discover the cardigan clip!

Are you looking for a discreet solution suitable for a somewhat formal work outfit? Let me introduce you to a tiny accessory with great potential: the cardigan clip. It consists of a small elastic or adjustable barrette with a clip at each end, which you can attach at the back to pinch your garment at the waist.

👉 You can order this accessory on Etsy or Amazon by searching for "Cardigan Clip". There are plenty of varieties and colours available!

3 other super simple tips to tighten a dress or tunic

To wrap things up, I'd like to share three tips that require no special equipment and will allow you to temporarily adjust a garment with ease. This is really handy if you're borrowing a dress that's a bit large, if you're short on time, or if you simply want to wear that top you just bought right away! 😉

Why Tucking in Your Top at the Waist is a Great Idea

No matter your shape, if the garment you want to tuck in isn't too long, you can slightly tuck it into the front of your shorts, trousers, or skirt.

You've got two options available to you:

• You tuck your shirt fully into your trousers or shorts, as flat as possible, for a very professional look that's suitable for work,
• You tuck your top into your trousers and then let it blouse out, slightly at your waist, for a more relaxed appearance.

No matter which option you choose, it will help define your waist, creating the illusion of a fitted and tailored top.

Make a Fake Belt!

If you don't have a belt handy, you can use something else to make one, for instance:

• A long-sleeve garment that you can tie around your waist,
• A lightweight scarf,
• A thin cord,
• A headscarf,
• A piece of somewhat wide fabric…

Learn to Create the Illusion of a Fitted Garment by Playing with Layers

If you don't want to cinch your outfit at the waist with a belt or any other accessory, but still want your clothing to elongate your silhouette without adding width, I have one last tip for you. By wearing a long vest or a kimono, you'll redefine the shape of the tunic, dress, or blouse you're wearing underneath, thanks to the weight of this garment.

👉 By playing with layers, you can also choose to wear your dress or shirt with a corset! In this case, there's no need to cinch it, as this accessory will instantly give you a slim and elongated waist!

Now you know plenty of simple tricks to tailor a dress, a blouse, or a tunic, whether you're skilled at sewing or not!

In the meantime, I invite you to check out our bohemian clothing collection. You'll find beautifully tailored dresses and tops that fit perfectly and highlight your figure, no matter your shape! 😉

discover our chic bohemian dresses