Attire & Accessories Forum

Fear of strapless dresses, Help!

I am a fairly well endowed woman(38DD) and so I never wear strapless anything in my normal life.  Last time I wore strapless was in High school and I liked the dress but I had the arm pudge issue big time.  I was self conscious about it the for most of prom. 

The dress I love is strapless and they assure me that that won't happen and they can fit it well enough to prevent that kind of problem.  But I'm worried because I'm overweight and I do have extra fat right where the dress ends in the front and back.  Granted the dress didn't fit me and so they were clipping it to make it come close to fitting. 

Anyone else have this fear or a positive experience with strapless?  Thanks!

Re: Fear of strapless dresses, Help!

  • I'm not much of a strapless girl either (36DD here, I feel ya) but with a really good alteration department and a fairly good-quality gown and an awesome bra, you'll be just fine.  :)  If you're still not comfortable most places or you could find another alteration place if the dress boutique won't do it, will add straps or cap sleeves, etc.  Or you could wear a wrap/shawl.  You have plenty of options, don't sweat it!  And if you really aren't comfortable think about adding something to where you are comfortable...you don't want to feel that way on your wedding day.

    Either way you'll look beautiful!

    The dress I love...never thought I would love this kind of dress!  HAHA



  • Most places can add straps or sleeves. I am not a fan of strapless either--and when I was shopping for dresses, I did try on a couple strapless, and David's Bridal has various options for straps and sleeves. I ended up going with a haltar-style, razorback dress, but there are definitely options.  Ask your dress shop and if they can't, talk to some other boutiques or seamstresses to see if someone can help you.
    Crosswalk
  • I am NOT well endowed, but have the "extra hanging skin under my arms that older women get". Plus, depending on how a dress fits, I can wear strapless, but the area above the breast, under the arms, and the "back fat" (OK, let's call it what it is) gets pushed up. I'm wearing a strapless dress, and a lace bolero to cover the parts I'm not happy with.

    I agree with what everyone else said. A good alterations person can minimize whatever you don't like. For whatever is left, wear a shawl, bolero, whatever you want to call it. If you can't find what you like, perhaps you know someone who can make one for you that would match?


    Good luck.

  • My step mother told me when she went to a wedding the bride wore strapless and her father stepped on her dress and she flashed the priest... LOL! embarassing for her but funny that it happened. So knowing that I didn't want that to happen and I a decent set of "girls" myself I got a halter top. If you are worried about that I would buy a "coat" to go over the dress so you would feel comfortable.

    "coat":



    BabyFruit Ticker
  • I am also similarly endowed and my dress was strapless... I was SHOCKED, as I had always declared I would never wear a strapless wedding gown, but to my amazement that was what was most flattering to my body. I don't have a long enough neck to wear a halter top (they made me look like my head was srouting directly out of my shoulders), and I didn't find any with straps that looked remotely decent.

    However, I ended up LOVING my strapless gown. It looked fabulous on me, my seamstress made it fit me like a second skin. She let it out a bit around the bust so I didn't have "back cleavage," and nipped in the waist to completely conform to my figure. She also adjusted the neckline so it had a little dip between the girls (not the full sweetheart, just a slight indent)... made it look SO much better (no mono-boob). It was snug, but not too tight, it didn't slip down, I didn't have to tug it up all night long.

    I'm a little overweight too, but I decided right after we got engaged not to try to diet myself skinny for the wedding. This is the body my husband proposed to, this is the body he fell in love with, this is the body I got married in. If I drop some weight afterwards, at least I'll never be accused of "letting myself go" after getting married. Heh. :)

    Yes, I have more arm pudge than I'd like, but I still looked great and more importantly, I felt beautiful all day. If your dress makes you feel beautiful don't worry too much about the other stuff.



  • A proper fit in the bodice of the dress will prevent it from slipping down. Even with a dress that has straps, the strap shouldnt be what keeps the dress up. Support through the bodice is everything. That also means that the top of the dress is not cutting into your back or armpits. This is what any qualified seamstress will tell you. So have a thorough talk with your seamstress about all of your concerns....
  • I do NOT believe that great alterations can make a strapless dress fit perfectly. Women, no matter how well endowed we are, are I think quite naturally afraid of a strapless dress falling or a boob popping out. My SIL SWORE her dress fit perfectly, but kept pulling up on it all night at the reception.

    In my opinion, if you even THINK you're going to be uncomfortable, go for something with straps! I have a small chest (B), but absolutely knew I wanted something with straps (PIB). 
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