Embroidered Flutter Sleeve Cotton Blend Midi Dress

I bought this dress about two weeks ago and washed it before deciding whether to have it shortened. For anyone who isn't aware, it's always a good idea to wash any washable garment before having it tailored, since some fabrics can shrink after laundering. Unfortunately, after the very first wash (cold water and air dry), the cotton outer fabric shrank while the polyester lining did not, leaving the lining noticeably longer than the dress itself. Thankfully, I have access to an excellent tailor at my local mall, and they were able to hem the lining for me. They also wisely shortened it a bit more than necessary in case the dress shrinks further with future washes. While I appreciate that the dress is lined, I think the lining should have either been made from cotton like the outer fabric or omitted altogether. That said, there are many things I really like about this dress. It has a nice structure, and the fabric is true eyelet rather than a printed imitation. The scalloped detail around the bodice is a beautiful touch as well. The midsection is comfortably roomy while the bust is more fitted, which I especially appreciate as someone with a fuller bust. My only other fit concern is that the straps don't fully conceal wider bra straps, and the back dips just a little too low for my regular bras. It looks like I'll be shopping for a strapless bra for the first time in years. Overall, it's a lovely dress, but potential buyers should be aware of the shrinkage issue and the possibility that the lining may need alteration after washing