Am I the only one????

vchuchman

I don't want a strapless gown. It is BEYOND frustrating. I thought it would narrow the search. Instead it has created a problem in bridal shops that carry 90% strapless gowns and a weak selection of "others". What to do? I'm scared to order a gown from a photo, even if I think I know what features are best for my figure.

melissa<3bryan

You're not the only one! I haven't started looking in stores yet but so far a lot of my favorite dresses are from Mormon shops based solely in Utah. I've been looking at lace boleros online. I'm considering buying one to wear over a strapless dress. It's not exactly what I was wanting though. I'm also worried that I'll step on the dress and wind up pulling it down or I'll lift my arms up and my breasts will pop out. LOL I've found two designers that make "modest" dresses that seem to be more nationwide. Eternity and Bonny. Have you checked them out to see if there are any stores near you that carry their dresses?

Revenwyn

I don't want strapless, spaghetti straps or anything that shows ANY cleavage.And I won't buy from the Mormons. I am not Mormon and in fact I don't support their religion at all. If the dress company is owned by Mormons, chances are they will give some of their money to support their local Mormon church and I don't want any of MY money eventually ending up supporting that!So I'm making my own dress.

bcnoelle

I didn't know what I wanted, but wound up with a dress with straps. I would try on dresses based on style and fit and then ask the salesperson/store seamstress if straps might be added to the dress. There are plenty of talented seamstresses. You might want to ask you local area board for recommendations.

christinec_313

I agree with the last post. I would prefer straps if possible, but i'm going to try on anything because the majority of dresses have atleast 2 or 3 sleeve/strap options that can be added to it. It is really annoying though.

Mouche1

I'm very blessed that the dress I wanted and knew was the one the moment I put it on, came with straps or can be worn without. I love it with the straps!!!

mbcdefg

I would ask your local board to recommend a shop with a lot of non-strapless samples. And tell the saleswoman that you are ONLY interested in dresses with straps or sleeves, or that can be ordered with them (a lot of Maggie Sottero dresses, for example, have a sleeve/strap option that might not necessarily be on the salon's sample dress). Another idea would be to find a gown you love, and if it's strapless, have a local seamstress add sleeves, a jacket or a sheer shrug to the dress. I know some knot girls (mrs_daffodil_jill, for example) had sleeves added with great results. If you don't want a very elaborate gown, you could look into order a sleeved bridesmaid's dress in white or your desired color. Here's a pretty Watters gown that's just so pretty, elegant and sophisticated: http://watters.com/product.php?coll=watters&showid=606And here's a real bride wearing it as her wedding dress: http://watters.com/wedding.php?weddingid=181

Christiejoy

I decided not to go strapless either and ended up getting an Alfred Angelo that initially showed a LOT of cleavage but I had a modest panel put in. I don't know how you feel about the dresses at David's Bridal but I know there is an option to put various styles of straps on pretty much all of their strapless dresses. Good luck!

goldgold

Don't forget you can always get a seamstress to add straps or sleeves!

thebarefootbride

I purchased a strapless gown that I'm having cap sleeves added to. Many dress shops have sample sleeves that they can drape over your shoulder and sort of tuck into the dress so that you can get a good idea of what it will look like once the sleeves are added.It's not easy to find non-strapless gowns that look nice, but it's very simple to get sleeves or straps added.Blessings,Rebekah

jed15

i definitely don't want a strapless dress. I think the way they cut a woman's body is not flattering. I am looking for a dress with a fanastic neck line, I love deep v-necks and scalloped edges. Take a look at San Patrick- The dresses are beautiful and much more unique than all the cookie cutter strapless corset dresses.

ksmooney

I initially did not want a strapless dress AT ALL, so I understand your frustration. I'm a little busty and thought a strapless dress would be unflattering and I didn't want to worry about it falling down on me. When I went dress shopping, I realized that the dresses with straps/sleeves were the ones that were unflattering for my figure and the strapless gowns were the most flattering. They are also pretty well constructed (or at least the ones I tried on were) and form fitting, so I don't need to worry about wardrobe malfunctions. No cleavage shows either with the gown I bought. I'm just saying that you never really know what will look best on you until you try it on.

vchuchman

Wow...the responses are great. THANKS If anything, Im all about asking the knot message board questions now. (Im trying not to bore friends with "wedding talk" so this might be my outlet) OK... the adding sleeves thing, good idea that I can look into. Has anyone ordered a dress from just a gut feeling/ photo/ website? Im looking at an Alfred Sung, so this is not a couple hundred dollars lost if my gut is wrong. Im also staring down the six month lead time square in the eyes. 8-/

jjax214

Hey! I understand you frustrations - I didn't care so much about strapless but I wanted short and casual...you wouldn't believe have many dress shop owners look at you like you've gone crazy when you say that!!!I actually cruised around on Nordstrom's dress site and found several I really liked - I bought 4 dresses, 3 days later they were at my house. I tried them all on and dress number 3 was THE ONE - I returned the rest, got all my money back and have the perfect dress...You can shop online, try everything on and return right to the store at Nordstroms - it was fantastic! Not to mention WAY cheaper!! Good luck!!

dojo1

Keep looking!  You can always ask to have a strapless dress modified to include sleeves. Good luck!

heyjude65

I know and understand that a lot of girls would hesitate to do this, but I ordered my gown from an on-line bridal shop called aprilbridal.com.  They have dresses in sizes or they will make to order, and they have a decent selection of dresses with sleeves.  My gown is very simple with straps, but then has a full length lace jacket that goes over it and has long lace sleeves.  I absolutely love it!! The prices are unbelievably reasonable because the gowns come direct from China.  You cut out the middle man - meaning bridal store.  All the dresses are made in China anyway, they send them to the states and the bridal stores up the prices beyond reason.  It's like extortion!  Then they order the gowns larger so you have to pay a fortune for alterations.  No kidding, my friend bought a dress for $650 and paid $250 in alterations.  I saw almost the same dress on the website I bought from for like $100.  I know it's scary to order something so important that you never saw or tried on, but the prices are so reasonable, it was worth the risk to me and for me it turned out great! 

hdcolw01

Check out www.maggiesottero.com I am wearing the Grace Kelly. You can search for it. I was just like you. I hated the idea of a strapless gown for me. Maggie has several other dresses that are not strapless as well. Good luck! If you don't want strapless don't cave you will be happier sticking to your choice.

RTrepanier

Hi--I totally understand your concerns.  I was also having a hard time finding non-strapless gowns in store to try on.  I did not want to add something to a strapless gown to make it non-strapless, to me that is just a strapless gown with straps added, but the body of the gown still fits like a strapless.  I did try doing that in a few stores, and I was not happy with the result.  My advice to you would be keep looking, call stores ahead of time and ask what kinds of dresses they carry that are not strapless and make a trip if you think it is necessary.  You will find a gown that is very YOU, it might just take a little more effort than the strapless lovers.  The dress I ended up finding was from Mori Lee - style# 2164.  I had to try it on in a way smaller size, but was able to tell it was the right material/style that I wanted.  Good luck to you!

dg2008

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I did NOT want a strapless gown, and it was so frustrating looking for gowns b/c 99% of them are strapless...I actually ended up getting my dress from J.Crew. Their wedding selection is amazing and fits true to size. They don't carry the gowns in stores so there's no way to try them on (although I think maybe they have special viewings at select stores around the country). But, if you get the dress and don't like it, you can return it within 60 or 90 days.I ordered the Francesca (sp?) gown and love it. It's not on the site right now, but they post dresses as they come in and usually only have 1 or 2 of each size.Good luck!

shellysmom

Hopefully these designers will wake up.  Some of these dresses look like freaking nightgowns! And no you can't just add sleeves to a strapless dress.  One hangs from the shoulders and the other grabs you by the ribs.   Caps are not sleeves.

stacy78

I don't know your budget, but Pronovias has a lot of gowns with straps. Also, if you find a strapless one oyu like, you could look into having a seamstress add ones on for you.

Sparkette19

I recently ordered my dress from HOB, in the Chicago 'burbs. My dress has spaghetti straps, not really all that functional but straps none-the-less. It's a PC Mary's dress, very formal, but not at all gawdy like in the pictures. I was actually quite surpised that it was a PC Mary's....anyway, I digress! Many people have had terrible experiences the HOB, and I'm quite nervous about my dress coming in on time for alterations, but they had a decent selection of dresses with straps...spaghetti straps and wider straps too. If you want to get an idea, start there or another big chain. You don't have to order the dress from that particular shop, but it will give you an idea and maybe you can find a dress you like elsewhere to order. I hope my ramblings help!

ajd2477

Looking for a dress with sleeves that I could try on was ridiculous!  I think these designers and dress shops need to realize not everyone wants sleeveless or spaghetti straps!  I got my dress from Alfred Angelo and it came with its own little jacket.  My bridesmaids bought strapless dresses there as well and we bought little jackets for them at David's Bridal.  There is a dress by Maggie Sottero that I just loved but I couldn't find anyplace that actually carried it for me to try on...it's call the Grace Kelly and you can find it on her website.  It's hard but you just have to keep looking.  Beautifullymodest.com also carried sleeved dresses...they seem to be designed to match the dresses you see in magazines but with sleeves.  Happy hunting...don't let the frustration get you down!

DezirayM

In addition to the previous suggestions of cap sleeves, straps, or bolero jackets, have you considered looking at dresses with halter necklines? I know Maggie Sottero makes some like this, and I've seen other designers too. Your arms would be exposed, but most of these dresses cover the bust area pretty well, if you're concerned about modesty.

mizu22

I got a strapless gown and had straps added to it. It worked wonderfully Don't forget that adding straps is always an option, if you have the right seamstress!!

harrypotterrocks13

I know some places, like David's Bridal, can add straps to a gown for you. Maybe you can check them out or other bridal/seamstress shops around you.

cynasmin

i'm the same way. pictures of my dress in profile thats an alfred angleo that they no longer make i was fortunate enough to get the sample! its more challenging but it can be done

AJG456

I didn't want a strapless dress either, I felt like they all look too similar (with some exceptions) and I didn't want to just add spaghetti straps either. Consider halter dresses, I tried one of those that I liked, and I remember that Jasmine Bridal has quite a few non-strapless dresses. The dress I ended up getting is Mikaella #1313. I also tried on a Pronovias that wasn't strapless that I loved. Mostly you'll probably just have to try on a few more. I went to two stores and probably tried about 15 dresses. It can be done, I promise!!

jasmine831

I had the same problem! I ended up getting mine at David's Bridal and it actually came with attachable straps that weren't pictured. Good luck in your search!

Budnotes

I completely feel your pain!!!  I'm overweight so I didn't want a strapless or sleeveless gown because I was self-conscious about my arms.  I definitely wanted a long sleeve dress.  I went online and found a beautiful dress and then found a bridal salon in my area that carried that designer.  They ordered me a sample to try on.  I was able to see it in person and try it on to decide on whether or not I liked it.  Turns out I loved it and it's the dress I'm getting!http://www.formalsource.com/AURORA%20DPARADISO/ADP_SPR%2005/7415/7415FL.htmlDon't be afraid to look online.  You'll be surprised at what you'll find!  Good luck!

rands09

I'm right there with ya! I also didn't want a strapless gown, but was open to spaghetti straps or some other style. In the end, I got an Enzoani gown with hand sewn cystal straps - it is really lovely. Mine is a sheath, but they have several styles of gowns with straps.I seem to be having an issue copying the dress from the designer's site, but it is on the knot site. The designer, again, is Enzoani (www.enzoani.com) and the dress is from the 2009 collection, and is called "Denise". If you go to the designer's site, you can also see the back of the dress. The only alteration that I made to the one pictured is that I paid an additional $175 to have the covered buttons go all the way down the back of the dress...Good luck!