What to wear with my strapless dress?

Knottie52149119

I have a strapless dress (photos below) and initially planned on adding detachable lace straps or cap sleeves to it.  I am self-conscious of my broad shoulders and felt like I need something to break up my neckline.  I have a lace shrug I'll be wearing during the ceremony.  I plan on taking off the shrug for the reception.  When I met with the seamstress, we thought that lace straps detracted from the dress so now I'm thinking of just going strapless when I'm not wearing the shrug.

Should I add straps/sleeves or use a necklace?  If a necklace, should it be a simple drop necklace?  I don't want to do anything too elaborate as it will be too much with the shrug.

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of the dress without the shrug.  The final photo is with a different shrug than what I bought.  But it emulates what we had been thinking of with adding lace straps/cap sleeves.

Thanks very much!

doeydo

Personally, I think with that dress that the lace sleeves or bolero look added on and they don't really go with the dress.  On SYTTD, they usually find that broader shouldered brides actually look better in strapless gowns than with straps or sleeves, which the brides always find surprising.  That said, I don't think you look dispropotionate at all.

Knottie52149119

Okay, I've realized now what I've been calling a "shrug" is actually a bolero. Are you saying even the lace mid-length sleeve bolero doesn't go with the dress? And thanks for the good feedback!

sarahjane222

I think you should go without the bolero. I know you didn't post a pic without it but I think you'd look great with bare shoulders and then choose a necklace that you love or some drop earrings. 

Ndelible

Agree with PPs.  The dress is gorgeous and you look gorgeous in it!

MandyMost

I love the lace boleros with your dress. I don't understand why you would want to take it off for the reception, especially with the sleeveless one on the right. I'd have the seamstress attach it right to the dress, if possible. 

I guess I could maybe understand taking off the longer-sleeved ones after the ceremony. Why don't you put on a necklace after you take it off? It'll be like a while new look for the reception. 

cafarrie

Are you planning to wear a veil or wear your hair down?  I ask because I got worried about a strapless dress (broader shoulders, in church, not a necklace wearer, and am a usual hater of updos) when I realized that the only detail of the dress was on the bust and I didn't want to cover it up with my long hair.  I ended up finding an updo I could live with, and was pleasantly surprised that when I had my veil on, it covered just enough of my shoulders that I didn't feel bare or self conscious at all!  

Knottie52149119

Thanks for the feedback, all!  I really appreciate it.