1. Pin it together, like the others have suggested. Something back in my mind tells me that this was less common in Italy than elsewhere, but it was still done, and will be a most period approach.
Lacing is easier to deal with in terms of adjusting a dress; in period times important for pregnancies and such, as well as for comfort. It allows you to adjust a dress a size or three, which at least I appreciate if I wear a thicker chemise or the weather is hot. Though, hooks and eyes is, as all the other options, very period, as Eleonora di Toledo's velvet underbodice shows.
no subject
1. Pin it together, like the others have suggested. Something back in my mind tells me that this was less common in Italy than elsewhere, but it was still done, and will be a most period approach.
2. Put the lacing in the back and let the front be purely decorative, like the crimson Pisa dress. I know side lacing was more common for noble ladies, as it classified them as "immobile" and not breastfeeding. But again, it wasn't uncommon for working class women, as this other Campi painting shows:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/cremona/campocremona1580s3.jpg
3. Make a lacing, either through worked eyelets, or loose rings sewn to the front. This is probably the most Italian approach, appearing both early and late in the 16th century. It appears in a Campi painting:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/cremona/campocremona1508s2.jpg
as well as various Tuscan working class depictions:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/renaissanceportraits/firenze3/zuccari1579villa.jpg
Lacing is easier to deal with in terms of adjusting a dress; in period times important for pregnancies and such, as well as for comfort. It allows you to adjust a dress a size or three, which at least I appreciate if I wear a thicker chemise or the weather is hot. Though, hooks and eyes is, as all the other options, very period, as Eleonora di Toledo's velvet underbodice shows.