How to Alter a Low-Cut Dress or Top in Order to Hide Cleavage

I am not the type of woman who lives to shop, but needing some new clothes I went to a nearby department store, actually I went to several, and found that most of today's styles with regard to women's tops and dresses were either very low cut or cut at the base of the neck. I am 50 and am too old to have a lot of cleavage showing, plus I am starting to get what is termed the turkey neck, so high necklines are out, unless it is a turtleneck, which can hide that unsightly flab of skin. However, these new styles did not perturb me as over the years I have learned to alter clothing and knew I could make the low cut styles work, so I purchased several tops that I really liked.

When I returned home, I tried them on for my husband and his first comments were, "They're nice, but aren't they a little low cut?" My husband is so observant.

"Yes." I responded. "I can fix that."

Until I hit the age of 40 I was a size eight. That does not sound so small these days, as sizing has changed in the clothing industry, but back in the 70's a size eight was considered very petite. I believe by the current standards a size eight in the 70's would be about a size six or four today. That is a big difference. Being small as a teenager, plus not having any petite shops near where I lived, forced me to learn how to sew and alter clothing.

Anyone who owns a needle and thread can make a low cut top not so low cut. You simply cover the area by using a piece of lace, stretch fabric, rickrack, piping, or other material. Make sure the material you chose to cover the area matches and compliments the top.

To attach the material to the top, you simply position it where you want it on the inside, pin it in place, and then sew it on by hand with a hidden stitch.

However, let us not stop there. If you have a square low cut top, consider using piping, rickrack, or even thin (1/4 inch) ribbon to cover the area. Many ribbons today come with embroidered designs such as flowers, butterflies, animals, and more already on them. Simply cut three or four strips of the ribbon the width of the top opening, leaving enough on each end for a seam allowance. Space them equal distances apart, pin in place, and sew.