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 shape? Would you like to learn how to take in the waist of a garment easily, so you can highlight your curves?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I firmly believe that our clothes should feel like a second skin, which is why they must be comfortable to wear. This is particularly why I have a fondness for bohemian fashion and its flowing, loose fits.

However, wearing comfortable clothes doesn't mean they should hide our shapes or fail to enhance our figure!

Today, I'm sharing an easy sewing technique along with a few super simple no-sew tips for tailoring your clothes, so that they enhance your appearance.

To shape a tunic or dress using a sewing machine, turn it inside out and pin it at your waist to mark the desired fit. Then, lay it flat and using your sewing machine and the measurements you've taken, sew a new, narrower seam at the waist in a gently 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 to enhance your silhouette and elegantly highlight your curves!

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:

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

Why Tailor Your Clothes?

Do you have a dress or tunic that's a bit loose and you wish it would flatter your figure a bit more? This is quite a common issue: in fact, most clothes are designed to fit a standard shape. Thankfully, we are all wonderfully different!

Most of the time, it's not too difficult to solve this problem: you usually just need to tighten your garment a bit at the waist.

This will give you a more feminine look by emphasising your curves, especially around your hips. Your silhouette will appear smoother, and the top or dress in question will finally truly enhance your figure!

How to Shape a Tunic? [Sewing Tutorial 🧵]

To begin with, I’d like to share 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 entirely within your reach. It's a simple and quick trick that should take you only about quarter of an hour, provided you have a sewing machine.

👉 You can watch the full tutorial in this clear video, which helps you easily visualise the steps needed to complete your bending project.

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric and Work Surface

Your fabric needs to be clean and, if it’s cotton or linen, completely ironed. Any wrinkles on these materials could throw off your seams and ruin the whole project!

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

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

Step 2: Mark the Folds

Put on your top or dress inside out, then, making sure that your garment is straight, pinch the fabric at the waist where you want to tighten it with a pin. Do this symmetrically on both sides.

👉 If possible, ask a friend or family member to help you ensure that your blouse is straight when you’re pinning it.

Next, lay down your clothing, making sure not to prick yourself.

Step 3: Redesign the fit and sew it

On the reverse side, mark the shape at the point where you’ll be sewing with a fabric pen or special marker. Be sure to carefully create a curve (or triangle, as shown in the video), so that the cut looks 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, job done!

👉 Don't forget to remove the pins!

How to Drape a Seamless Dress?

Don't know how to sew or don't have a sewing machine and looking for a simple and effective solution? No worries, I've put together a handy list of no-sew techniques to help you shape your garment. Check them out in the following lines!

The Belt: Your Best Ally for Tightening Oversized Clothing

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

➡ In fact, it's often recommended that when choosing an outfit, you aim for a proportion ratio of ⅓ for the top and ⅔ for the bottom to achieve a balanced look. You can achieve this by wearing a wide belt at your waist.

For a chic bohemian style, opt for a nice wide brown natural leather belt with a lovely buckle. Make sure to adjust your clothes properly after putting on the belt to ensure they don’t get caught up in it.

A brilliant trick: discover the cardigan clip!

Are you looking for a discreet solution that works well with formal work attire, for instance? Allow me to introduce you to a tiny accessory with a big impact: the cardigan clip. It consists of a small elastic or adjustable-length barrette with a clasp on each end, which you can attach to your back to pin your garment at the waist.

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

3 Other Super Simple Tips to Taper a Dress or Tunic

To wrap things up, I’ll share three tips that require no special materials and will help you easily adjust a garment temporarily. This is handy if someone lends you a dress that’s a bit large, if you’re short on time, or if you want to wear that top you just bought right away! 😉

Why Tucking Your Top into Your Waist is a Good Idea

Whatever your shape, if the garment you want to tuck in isn't too long, you can easily tuck it slightly into the front of your shorts, trousers, or skirt.

You have two options:

• You tuck your blouse completely into your trousers or shorts, making it as flat as possible for a very professional look that's suitable for work,
• You tuck your top into your trousers, then let it blouse out, allowing it to sit slightly above your waist for a more relaxed appearance.

Whichever option you choose, it will help define your waist, giving the illusion of a fitted and tailored top.

Craft a Fake Belt!

If you don’t have a belt to hand, you can also use something else to make one, for example:

• A long-sleeved top that you can tie around your waist,
• A light scarf,
• A length of cord,
• A headscarf,
• A piece of slightly wide fabric…

Learn how 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 you still want the garment you’re wearing to elongate your silhouette without adding bulk, I’ve got one last tip for you. By wearing a long cardigan or a kimono, you’ll reshape the look of the tunic, dress or blouse underneath, thanks to the weight of this outer layer.

👉 By layering, 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 elegant waist!

Now you know plenty of simple tips to tailor a dress, blouse, or tunic, whether you're experienced in sewing or not!

In the meantime, I invite you to check out our collection of bohemian clothing, where you’ll find dresses and tops that are beautifully tailored and perfectly fitted to flatter you, no matter your body shape! 😉

discover our chic bohemian dresses