My mother made me this dress two years ago, and I think that it is time to give it an update. I'm in prizewinner, if that helps any. I was thinking of adding more of that silver trim down the front of the bodice and more around the edge of the corset, but would love to hear more ideas! I also don't really know how to update the cape, or if I should get a new one all together.
If you have any input -- tell me!
Thank so much!!
-Erin

well, luckily you already have a drop waist and a soft skirt, so you are good there.

I think some serious blinging is in order with some larger and smaller stones. Maybe make an assymetrical swirly pattern in stones across the bodice?

I would also add some stones on the skirt.

There is nothing wrong with your cape, but making a new one can help the dress look fresher and feel newer to you.

If you have more of the blue satin and the lace, you could make a rah rah style skirt with three layers.

You didn't mention, are you an adult or teen dancer? If you are an adult PW, I'd update the shawl with something a bit smaller, perhaps a piece of your lace ruffled and sheered onto a band made of the silver-white fabric of your existing shawl. A teen PW dress would be a great candidate for the bling treatment Hop 123 suggested.

Here is just a quicky idea from fooling in photoshop. You could go as crazy as you like making the swirls with crystals (for an idea, look at China_dolls dtrs last dress here: www.dance.net . . . ) I can't draw that fancy in photoshop. Just wanted to give you ideas!

having fun in photoshop on a quiet Sunday afternoon!

I would use similar trim to what you have on the sleeves on the edge of the blue layer.

Sorry guys! I am a teen dancer in U15.

I knew that! I'm updating it with you in mind!

Oh I know just one person asked

I think it could do with lots of crystals adding. On the skirt Jet Hematite crystals in the centre of each of the flowers in the lace would look great. They are black but with a gunmetal coating which really makes them shine. You could create a necklace effect at the neckline using round crystals and also pear drop or navette shaped ones. Suggest clear crystals for these. The bodice also needs more decoration. You could try making a pattern in crystals or buy a ready made sequin applique. Glory's House sells some lovely ones. You could also add crystals along the dropped waist where the bodice meets the skirt.

I really like the idea of breaking up the black lace on the skirt with some of the blue material. Such great ideas!

Here's a couple ideas. I'd suggest taking the trim off the top of the bodice and doing something with stones. I'd also suggest shaping the neckline. Its not too difficult, Draw where you want the neckline, then straight stitch over that. Cut down next to the stitch. get some sulky iron on tear away stabilizer and iron it to the neckline from the inside. Then satin stitch over the edge, then tear off stabilizer. Did that make any sense?? lol If you need any technical help shoot me a message

Love your dress as is but you have some good suggestions for making it even better. I wonder if you worked with a pattern? I'm interested in making something similar with a sweetheart neckline and need suggestions on starting.

I really like Hop_123's idea for adding the blue on the skirt, as well as the black outline. For the cape, I think making it smaller and more "shaped" into a curve, e.g., by softly pleating it, would give a more up-to-date look. If you use the silver, I suggest adding some of the black trim to give it more pop, and outline that with stones. I like Hop-23's idea for the bodice, too, but an other option would be to have flared lines come down from the point in the sweetheart neckline toward the waistline (like inverted V's, but a little curvy). You could do that either in crystals or with the silver trim you used to outline the neckline.
Just some thoughts. The dress is very pretty - your mom did a great job!

The most recent dresses don't have multi-colored layered skirts. I'd add a belt to the bottom of the bodice to give it an even lower waisted appearance; do you have more of the silver fabric? Hop 123's crystal ideas are nice, too.

If your Mom has a serger or a good zigzag stitch on her machine, she can add some fishing line to your skirt. That technique can add a wavy, light ruffle to the bottom of your skirt.

I wouldn't worry too much about a new dress until you enter PC. This dress is nice, it just needs a bit "more."

Another idea too!

I would just add a belt or something to "drop" the waist even more- the trend lately seems to be the bodice looks SUPER long and the skirts look super small in comparison (of course, that has to be done while keep the skirt a good enough length on your body too lol).

I would also maybe cut the neckline a bit and give it some shape. Maybe use some black velvet (or whatever the bodice is made of) and make a wider "neckline" instead of the small black strip you have there. Then I would run the small silver fabric that you have outlining the sweetheart bodice along the shape of the neck, as well as at the edge of the "belt" too, lengthening the bodice. For sure, I would scatter some rhinestones along the skirt, and make that thing shine! Also, make a small "cuff" with black fabric on the sleeves, it's make the dress look more "complete" you know?

It's a very pretty dress and very simple, but elegant!

Thank you all soooooo much!