Do you like Strapless dresses?

Jessica Wells123

I know everyone has their own opinions on wedding dresses but, I’m wondering what the members think about strapless. I personally don’t like it; it overdone and unoriginal. I rarely see a strapless dress that is original. It looks like a towel that you wrap around after a shower or something. My best friend who got married last year told me that 80%+ of wedding gowns in the stores are strapless.  OMG!!!!

Anyone else what to chime in?

Avion22

I knew immediately that I didn't want a strapless dress.  First of all, I have a scar on my chest that I wanted to cover.  Second, strapless just isn't a flattering style on me.  I'm short and kind of chubby, and something that cuts a straight line across the top of my chest (and is level with the fattest part of my arm) just doesn't look good on me.

I went for a lace V-neck dress instead.   Limmiting my search to non-strapless dresses only really helped narrow down my options.  Each of the 3 salons I went to had probably 10-12 non-strapless dresses in my prince rance (as opposed to hundreds of strapless dresses), so it made the search much less overwhelming.

After the Royal Wedding, we're already seeing a lot more dresses with sleeves, illusion necklines, v-necks, lace overlays, etc.  I think these dresses are classy and very pretty.   

egeurts

I thought I didn't want a strapless dress, for all the reasons you cited... but once I tried one on, I fell in love. It worked so well with my body type and the ones that had straps felt constraining, just like every other dress I've ever worn. It really all depends on the detailing of the dress whether you think it looks like a towel. 

Eliz77

I knew I wouldn't be wearing a strapless dress. The way I am built, strapless tops look awkward on me, like the distance from the top of dress to my shoulder is too shallow. So, the dress I ended up loving best is strapless and the seamstress is adding straps. I think some people look awesome in strapless. Some look bettet with various straps/necklines. Just got to go and try on a bunch and see what you are most comfortable in and like the look of!

calliopeia2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_do-you-like-strapless-dresses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:a5a73e71-375b-4204-b930-3aee70fb0e10Post:dc351e25-f978-479c-be7d-65c2433444f2">Re: Do you like Strapless dresses?</a>:
[QUOTE]I thought I didn't want a strapless dress, for all the reasons you cited... but once I tried one on, I fell in love. It worked so well with my body type and the ones that had straps felt constraining, just like every other dress I've ever worn. It really all depends on the detailing of the dress whether you think it looks like a towel. 
Posted by egeurts[/QUOTE]

I had a very similar experience- I had assumed I wouldn't wear a strapless dress and ended up finding one I really liked.

But I was also deliberately looking for a dress style that you might call unoriginal- I wanted something very simple style-wise, because I ended up doing some very non-traditional things with color.

AurorasEnvy

I've always known that I'd wear a strapless wedding gown (even before it became all the rage).  I'm very petite (5'1", 102lbs) so most straps and sleeves are not flattering on me as they overwhelm me (like the dress is wearing me, not me wearing the dress).  Unless they are very thin or delicate straps (for look more than actual support), I feel like I'm a kid playing dress up in my mom's clothes for some reason, probably for the same reason that the dress is wearing me.

I do feel like they are designing a lot more gowns with sleeves/straps, which I think is great because being honest, I don't think strapless looks good on all body types.

Besides being popular, I think another reason why salons carry so many strapless dresses is because they are so versatile - you can probably squeeze a size 20 girl into a strapless size 16 dress with it totally unlaced/zipped to give her an idea of what it's going to look like.  If it's got sleeves?  Not happening.  My mom is plus sized, and when we went shopping for MOB dresses if it had straps/sleeves she couldn't even pretend to try it on if the sample size was much smaller, but if it was strapless she could just step into it and pull it up.  Plus, straps/sleeves are easy to rip/tear, making the sample less likely to be able to be resold for a decent price.

AdeleDazeem

I actually really like strapless.  I love having my shoulders exposed - I feel freer or more elegant like that.  My AHR dress was a v-neck and I thought that looked great, too, but wouldn't have been my first choice.

Different styles look great on different people.  What works for one might not work for someone else.  Strapless is a fad that is going through hard core right now.  Think about the 80s - everything was puffy sleeves!  This, too, shall pass. 

Remember that seamstresses can alter the neckline of the gown if you want so don't avoid trying on strapless, just have an open mind about what could be done to it if you love it otherwise.

Elle1036

I think strapless dresses are gorgeous on women with nice soulders and necks.  I personally didn't want one because I'm flat-chested and everytime I've worn something strapless, I've spent the whole time pulling it back up.  I also agree with you that they're overdone.

Of course, when I went dress shopping, strapless was really all I could find, so I did end up buying a strapless dress.  I love my dress regardless, and I've been told that once it's altered it will stay up on it's own, so we'll see. 

random4180

I love my strapless dress! I think if you're not comfortable in it, then that really affects how the dress looks. Whatever you choose, you have to feel comfortable and confident in it or it won't work for you. I think in a lot of cases, it's as simple as that. I'm on the shorter side, chubby, and not very big chest-wise...and my dress looks great! I would keep and open mind because while strapless tops don't really work for me (short torso tends to look odd in them) dresses can create a longer line and look fine!

PJSPJS

I also didn't want a strapless gown. I just didn't feel comfortable in one. The gown I bought (Justin Alexander 8522) is indeed strapless but has a bolero jacket, so there's a bit more coverage:

http://www.thebridalshop.com/justinalexanderbridal/8522.htm

dewingedpixie

I agree I feel strapless is very over done right now.I think strapless can be very lovely on the right figure, but on others not so much. I feel like it can have the effect of making you look emaciated or like a sausage stuffed in a casing if you arent the right shape for it.

I had a variety of dresses on my list to try some strapless some not. I ended up going with one that the dress comes up as thick straps. I'm going to have the straps put off the shouder since I have really great collar bones, and I'm athletic/lean. I'm also considering long gloves to my biceps because we're doing the ceremony outside in October. I developed secondary Raynauds phenomenom about 4 years back and nobody wants to see a bride with dead blue fingers so long gloves will alleviate that worry for me and make me feel like Belle from Beauty and the beast which he refers to me as all the time . This will also fit our venue that we're putting a payment on next week a castle up in MD.

B

snuff9861

I didnt want a strapless dress either. I have a very small chest and a larger bottom so strapless tends not to stay put. I was after a one shoulder dress. The bridal salon did not have a single thing that was not strapless and looked made for a bride under the age of 60. So I did end up with strapless. I love my dress, it flatters me more than I thought a strapless could. And it's fitted properly so it stays put.

mtbentley

I originally wanted to look for something with straps just because it does seem like most dresses are strapless and I wanted something different. Then I tried one on and didn't like it at all. I also found the straps to be very itchy because they were lace. The dress I ended up choosing was strapless and as soon as I put it on I couldn't imagine myself wearing anything else. 

monkeysip

I personally don't really like the look of strapless, but I know I'm definitely getting a dress with sleeves for religious/modesty issues anyways.  It's definitely very frustrating because there are very few choices of wedding gowns with sleeves.

I know they make specifically "modest" wedding gowns, but I really hate the way they look.  They all look the same to me (like THIS), just really boring.  I'm probably going to get my dress custom made because of this.

scstar17

I did NOT want a strapless.  I am, well, fat and that is gross on women with big arms.  I've been to so many weddings that the fat bride is wearing strapless and I can't get over the unpleasant look.  AND not to mention the strapless have to be held up by having a totally uncomfortably tight mid-section!

Of course, almost all dresses are strapless and the ones with v-necks or sleeves are not my style.  I ended up falling in love with a gorgeous all lace dress that IS strapless and I will be wearing a cute little purple cotton and lace cardigan to cover my arms. 

I think very few women have the body shape to look good in the things without a coverup and I hope the trend ends soon.

monkeysip

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_do-you-like-strapless-dresses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:a5a73e71-375b-4204-b930-3aee70fb0e10Post:6b8e2557-0da6-4adb-ad61-516c18769c63">Re: Do you like Strapless dresses?</a>:
[QUOTE]I did NOT want a strapless.  I am, well, fat and that is gross on women with big arms.  I've been to so many weddings that the fat bride is wearing strapless and I can't get over the unpleasant look.  AND not to mention the strapless have to be held up by having a totally uncomfortably tight mid-section! Of course, almost all dresses are strapless and the ones with v-necks or sleeves are not my style.  I ended up falling in love with a gorgeous all lace dress that IS strapless and I will be wearing <strong>a cute little purple cotton and lace cardigan to cover my arms.</strong>  I think very few women have the body shape to look good in the things without a coverup and I hope the trend ends soon.
Posted by scstar17[/QUOTE]

I actually love the look of a cute little cardigan with a wedding dress! 

jesslynn1012

Definitely not a fan of strapless dresses with DDD boobs.  NO strapless bra can hold these girls up!  LOL.  So, I'm making my own dress.  Solves a lot of problems:)

scstar17

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_do-you-like-strapless-dresses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:a5a73e71-375b-4204-b930-3aee70fb0e10Post:2a85c868-e58a-4235-96bb-2662fe00a535">Re: Do you like Strapless dresses?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Do you like Strapless dresses? : I actually love the look of a cute little cardigan with a wedding dress! 
Posted by monkeysip[/QUOTE]

I looooove mine, it's from AE and it solved all my strapless problems - except being able to sit down.