I bought a long dress from the thrift store even though I knew it was too tight for me in the bodice. The waist and hips were plenty roomy. The dress is rayon with a small rose print on a black background.
The style featured ties emerging from the side seams below the bust further emphasizing the too tight fit in that area.
I was being a little dramatic making it look like I popped the button in the photo!
When I bought the dress I thought I would make it into a skirt, but I really preferred to have a dress. I don’t have enough dresses, and need more for the ease of wearing – no matching of a top and bottom needed – and hopefully figure lengthening properties.
What to do?
I made three little changes that made a big difference!
I hemmed the dress at knee length.
I removed the side ties, sewed them together, and made a belt to be worn at the natural waist.
I cut the neckline lower into a v-shape removing the top button. That gave me more “give” across the bust, and suddenly the bodice fit. I also wore a different bra that helped the fit, and I might have lost a few pounds, but not many as both before and after photos were taken in the same month.
I was going to make inseam pockets with the leftover fabric, but was having a really hard time unpicking the seam, so I ended up scrapping that idea.
Just a few little changes, and my figure looks much more balanced. Wouldn’t you agree?
Stitch It Again 
Oh wow! Love the upcycled version. Thanks for mentioning how you lowerred. the neckline and it suddenly fit at the bust. Amazing! Now I keep tj
……thinking of the mathematical reason for the sudden fit. Hmmm
The lowered V neckline did the trick! It was surprising because I was thinking of much more complicated ways of getting more bust room like cutting and adding inserts.