Discover our tips for shaping a tunic or dress.

Do you have a dress or tunic in your closet that you love, but it’s too loose for your figure? 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 believe that clothing should feel like a second skin and therefore must be comfortable to wear. This is why I particularly enjoy bohemian style with its flowing and loose cuts.

However, wearing comfortable clothes doesn’t mean they have to hide our shapes or fail to enhance our silhouette!

Today, I’m sharing an easy sewing technique along with some super simple no-sew tips to tailor your clothes to enhance your look.

To create a waistline on a tunic or dress using a sewing machine, wear it inside out and use pins to mark your waist. Next, lay it flat and, using your machine and the measurements you’ve taken, sew a new, narrower seam around 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 define your silhouette and elegantly accentuate your curves!

Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:

• Reasons why tailoring a garment is a great idea,
• A very easy sewing tutorial to take in a tunic at the waist,
• How to use a belt to enhance your silhouette,
• More information on a very handy accessory: the cardigan clip,
• Additional tips and inspiring outfit examples featuring bohemian dresses and tunics.

Why Tailor a Garment?

Do you have a dress or tunic that’s a bit loose, and you wish it flattered your silhouette a little more? This is a common issue: most clothing is designed to fit a standard body type. Fortunately, we are all wonderfully different!

Most of the time, it’s not too complicated to solve this issue: you usually just need to cinch your clothing a bit at the waist.

This will give you a more feminine look by highlighting your curves, especially your hips. As a result, your silhouette will appear slimmer, and the tunic or dress you choose will finally showcase your figure beautifully!

How to Cinch a Tunic? [Sewing Tutorial 🧵]

To start, I’ll introduce a technique that makes it easy to shape a garment using a simple sewing method. If you don’t know how to sew, don’t worry; no-sew methods will be covered later in this article.

For those who know a little about sewing, this is totally within your reach. It’s a simple and quick trick that should take you just about 15 minutes if you have a sewing machine.

👉 You can watch the entire tutorial in this very clear video, which helps you visualize the steps to take for bending.

Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric and Work Surface

Your fabric needs to be clean and, if it’s cotton or linen, perfectly ironed. Any wrinkles in these materials could misalign your seams and ruin the process!

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

• Thread,
• Pins,
• A pair of scissors,
• A marker.

Step 2: Mark the Folds

Put your top or dress inside-out, then, making sure your garment is straight, pinch the fabric at the point where you want to cinch 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 while you pin it in place.

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

Step 3: Redesign the Size and Sew It

On the reverse side, mark the waistline where you plan to sew using a fabric pen or special marker. Be sure to create a smooth curve (or triangle, as shown in the video) so that the resulting cut looks natural.

Next, using your sewing machine, stitch along the line you drew. Then, turn your garment right-side out and try it on. And there you have it, you’re all set!

👉 Don’t forget to remove the pins!

How to Shape a Dress Without Sewing?

Don’t know how to sew or don’t have a sewing machine, and you’re looking for a simple and effective solution? Don’t worry, I’ve put together a small selection of no-sew techniques to tailor your clothing. 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 pants, a tunic, or a dress. In the latter case, it helps tighten and accentuate the waist, while redefining the proportions of your silhouette.

➡ Indeed, it is 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. This effect can be achieved by wearing a wide belt at your waist.

For a chic bohemian style, choose a wide natural brown leather belt with a beautiful buckle. Be sure to adjust your clothing properly after putting on the belt to avoid any bunching or pinching.

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’s a small elastic or adjustable clip with a clasp at each end, which you can secure at your back to pinch your garment at the waist.

👉 You can order this accessory on Etsy or Amazon by searching for “Cardigan Clip.” There are many varieties and colors available!

3 Easy Tips to Cinch a Dress or Tunic

To wrap up, here are three tips that require no special tools and will help you temporarily adjust a piece of clothing very easily. This is handy if someone lends you a dress that’s a bit too big, if you’re short on time, or if you want to wear that top you just bought right away! 😉

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

No matter your body shape, if the garment you want to cinch isn’t too long, you can slightly tuck it into the front of your shorts, pants, or skirt.

You have two options:

• You tuck your blouse completely into your pants or shorts, as flat as possible, for a very professional and work-appropriate look,
• You tuck your top into your pants and then let it drape, meaning it slightly flares out at your waist, for a more relaxed appearance.

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

Make a Fake Belt!

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

• A long-sleeve garment that you can tie around your waist,
• A light scarf,
• A string or cord,
• A scarf,
• A piece of somewhat wide fabric…

Learn How to Create the Illusion of a Fitted Outfit 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 bulk, I have one last tip for you. By wearing a long vest or a kimono, you will redefine the shape of the top, dress, or blouse you have on underneath, thanks to the weight of this garment.

👉 By layering your outfits, you can also choose to wear your dress or shirt with a corset! In this case, there’s no need to cinch it; this accessory will instantly create a slim and elongated waist for you!

You now know plenty of simple tips to tailor a dress, blouse, or tunic, whether you know how to sew or not!

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

discover our chic bohemian dresses