[Asra*]

I think the first costume looks very good on you, but if you don't feel good in it I agree with others that have said you might be better off selling it for something you like better.

What if you buy some matching beads and sequins and bead and decorate the L. Rose skirt? I have done the same with velvet skirts I make myself, it's not hard. Then you will have a pretty decoated skirt you feel good in AND a costume you can resell when you're ready for something else.

As for the dress - I am an amateur seamstress. Very amateur. I have tried making cutouts on a pre-made dress and it's not easy to get them right. It's not impossible but if you've never done it before you might end up with a ruined dress. It also depends how much time you have.

If you consider the time and money in materials you'd be putting in, it might be easier to keep looking for a sexy balady dress. The thing about self-made costumes is they usually have very little resale value. If you spend a bit more and buy something well-made you can get a healthy percentage of your money back if you decide to sell it.

I wonder if L. Rose would make a dress with a hip cutout if you asked? They have done other custom-work for people that wasn't stuff they advertised in their catalogue.