...And before I offend anyone with that statement, let me just say I think strapless is GORGEOUS - on women who can pull it off.
Given that I have no boobs, there's just nothing in my anatomy that would hold up a strapless gown. I've never worn a strapless anything in my whole life, and I'd feel so horribly insecure if my gown was strapless I'd spend the whole wedding just pulling at it.
So, I'm going with a gown I love, but it's a V neck so it can safely rely on other body parts to keep it from falling off.
And I'm wondering - are there other brides out there who have gowns with straps? How did you decide to bravely go where no other bride seems to be going?
You're not alone! :-) My gown has a lace off the shoulder. I wanted to stand out a bit from all my friends gowns, which were lovely, but all strapless.
My gown has straps, very thin straps, but straps none the less. I knew all along that I wanted a dress with straps as I wanted a deep v-neck dress and strapless dresses don't come that way. Plus, it didn't feel like me to wear a strapless dress as I never wear them.
I think it is about knowing your body and knowing what looks best on you.
I just got so excited when I saw the title of your post! The only thing I know for certain about my dress is that it will have straps!! I have been told "oh but you can so do strapless" and I say "thank you, it's just not for me" ... and "but you have nice shoulders" "wow thanks! but i really just want to have straps" ... I even had someone at the first place I tried on gowns tell me "but everyone wears strapless" as I had a beautiful gown with straps in my hands ... that just made me know that the decision I made was right! I dont want to be like everyone else!! I think straps add a little something. I also am fairly bottom heavy -- so I want everyone's focus UP not down! So I'm using straps to do just that.
I so very very very wanted a vneck dress, but after searching high and low for THE dress, i could not find one that looked great on me.... I decided for a strapless maggie sottero dress, but now, I'm searching high and low for a bolero to wear to the reception.
As you can tell, I do not like strapless and do not think it is flattering on me...but the I do love the maggie sottero dress very much...just not the strapless part...hehe!
You're not alone! A couple of my friends and I all got engaged about the same time, and we've all been looking for something with straps...but it seems like 90% of the dresses in the shops are strapless -- probably the reason that so many people are wearing them, not necessarily the other way around
There are some really beautiful strapless dresses out there, but I have scary images on me on the dance floor in something strapless after a glass or two of champagne. (That stuff goes straight to my head!)
I don't know why you would even think that every gown is strapless! There are lots of gorgeous gowns with straps and even sleeves. I was astonished at how many halter styles there seemed to be.
My dress had a little pleated off-the-shoulder sleeve/strap - about 1.5 inches wide. I have great boobs, but I just don't like (and have never liked) strapless styles - its sort of boring kind of neckline to me. Whereas a little off-the-shoulder number frames everything (neck, shoulders, and boobs) quite nicely.
I knew from the start what style I wanted, and there were dozens of them at my bridal salon. So if you're having trouble finding one, you probably just need a salon with a better selection.
As far as what everybody else seems to be wearing - why would you want to look like some kind of *generic*bride* - if that's what the strapless dress says to you? Do something that is more your own style! You'll look great.
My dress has a halter neck. I too wanted something not strapless and had trouble finding it. I never thought I would pick a halter neck, none of the photos I cut out of magazines or bookmarked online were halters, but it turned out to be really flattering on me.
I haven't bought my dress yet, but I am certain I want some sort of strap. Besides, if you do find a strapless dress, cap sleeves/straps, etc. can be added fairly easily. I LOVE the look of the lacy slightly off the shoulder thin sleeve. I think its sexier than the bare shoulders.
Yes everyones doing strapless, but it doesn't mean it looks good on them. I was photographing a beautiful plus-size bride and she kept saying to me, try not to photograph my fat arms. Honey, if you aren't comfortable it'll definitely SHOW. She should have bought a cute little bolero to wear and she wouldn't have been so self-conscious.
I had to laugh when I read this because I thought the same thing. I have been to countless weddings where the bride is wearing a strapless gown and yes, there are some beautiful choices out there but I too wanted to be different. I am wearing a 2Be Bridal silk dress with a deep v in the front and back with straps at my wedding in April and I cant wait!
I'll be having straps, but for the opposite reason from thefuturemrsjay - my boobs are way too BIG for strapless! It would take a major feat of engineering to keep my girls up where they should be with a strapless dress, so I'll be having straps!
hahaha! Marianneinvan - I'm in exactly the same situation. I was trying to imagine a strapless bra that fit tight enought not to have to mess with it all night and I think I wouldn't be able to breathe. A bra with straps is the reason I won't be strapless.
I haven't gotten a dress yet, but for those of you looking for something with straps and affordable, check out Jasmine Bridal's collection. They've got beautiful dresses with straps and sleeves.
I actually bought a strapless gown and am having straps added...I am going strapless for the ceremony (b/c my FH freaked out once after seeing me in a strapless BM dress I wore a few years ago...talk about someone making you feel beautiful...it was wonderful!! haha) and then I'm attaching straps for the reception. I'll feel a million times more comfortable with the added security of the straps. Plus, it's like 2 dresses in one!
GNAK17 is on to something. If you can find an affordable dress that you just absolutely love that happens to be strapless, if it's cost effective, then you might want to consider adding sleeves. But I know how you feel. It seems like most of the dresses are either strapless or halter style. I ended up having a dress made because I got sick of looking for one that would work up top. There's really no easy answer...just keep looking. You're bound to find something that works for you eventually!
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one too. The one requirement I had for my wedding dress was that it had to have staps or the ability to add straps! I've worn strappless dresses before to formal events and spent half the day with my fingers stuck down it trying to pull it up. Um... not very flattering! In fact, I tend to be a little self conscious even in spaghetti straps so I got a cardigan and had our married monogram embroidered on it. I went without it for the ceremony and some of the reception, but it was so nice to have it if I started feeling uncomfortable. Good luck with finding your dress! And I can saying that having straps on my dress was one of the best things I did for myself.
I didn't want strapless either. I can pull it off, but it wasn't the bridal look I had in mind. I wanted a cross over v-neck (not unlike J Crew's Sophia dress,) and when I went shopping, it sure did feel like nobody wore anything but strapless. Anyway, I ended up having a dress made.
(as an aside, a well fitted strapless gown should really be held up by your waist and hips, not your boobs.)
...And before I offend anyone with that statement, let me just say I think strapless is GORGEOUS - on women who can pull it off.
Given that I have no boobs, there's just nothing in my anatomy that would hold up a strapless gown. I've never worn a strapless anything in my whole life, and I'd feel so horribly insecure if my gown was strapless I'd spend the whole wedding just pulling at it.
So, I'm going with a gown I love, but it's a V neck so it can safely rely on other body parts to keep it from falling off.
And I'm wondering - are there other brides out there who have gowns with straps? How did you decide to bravely go where no other bride seems to be going?
posted by thefuturemrsjay 7 posts 2 months agoYou're not alone! :-) My gown has a lace off the shoulder. I wanted to stand out a bit from all my friends gowns, which were lovely, but all strapless.
posted by AOEBuckeye 143 posts 2 months agoYou are not the only one.
My gown has straps, very thin straps, but straps none the less. I knew all along that I wanted a dress with straps as I wanted a deep v-neck dress and strapless dresses don't come that way. Plus, it didn't feel like me to wear a strapless dress as I never wear them.
I think it is about knowing your body and knowing what looks best on you.
posted by chicagoseattle 22 posts 2 months agoI just got so excited when I saw the title of your post! The only thing I know for certain about my dress is that it will have straps!! I have been told "oh but you can so do strapless" and I say "thank you, it's just not for me" ... and "but you have nice shoulders" "wow thanks! but i really just want to have straps" ... I even had someone at the first place I tried on gowns tell me "but everyone wears strapless" as I had a beautiful gown with straps in my hands ... that just made me know that the decision I made was right! I dont want to be like everyone else!! I think straps add a little something. I also am fairly bottom heavy -- so I want everyone's focus UP not down! So I'm using straps to do just that.
Phew! Sorry long post but no, you're not alone!!
posted by HumarockBride 179 posts 2 months agoI so very very very wanted a vneck dress, but after searching high and low for THE dress, i could not find one that looked great on me.... I decided for a strapless maggie sottero dress, but now, I'm searching high and low for a bolero to wear to the reception.
As you can tell, I do not like strapless and do not think it is flattering on me...but the I do love the maggie sottero dress very much...just not the strapless part...hehe!
posted by Novbride08 60 posts 2 months agoNope! Mine has wide-set spaghetti straps that criss-cross in the back, and a deep-v faux wrap bodice.
posted by CarolineG 284 posts 2 months agoYou're not alone! A couple of my friends and I all got engaged about the same time, and we've all been looking for something with straps...but it seems like 90% of the dresses in the shops are strapless -- probably the reason that so many people are wearing them, not necessarily the other way around
There are some really beautiful strapless dresses out there, but I have scary images on me on the dance floor in something strapless after a glass or two of champagne. (That stuff goes straight to my head!)
posted by DCbrideinATL 77 posts 2 months agoI don't know why you would even think that every gown is strapless! There are lots of gorgeous gowns with straps and even sleeves. I was astonished at how many halter styles there seemed to be.
My dress had a little pleated off-the-shoulder sleeve/strap - about 1.5 inches wide. I have great boobs, but I just don't like (and have never liked) strapless styles - its sort of boring kind of neckline to me. Whereas a little off-the-shoulder number frames everything (neck, shoulders, and boobs) quite nicely.
I knew from the start what style I wanted, and there were dozens of them at my bridal salon. So if you're having trouble finding one, you probably just need a salon with a better selection.
As far as what everybody else seems to be wearing - why would you want to look like some kind of *generic*bride* - if that's what the strapless dress says to you? Do something that is more your own style! You'll look great.
posted by suzanno 1,955 posts 2 months agoNov. Bride -- let me know if/when you find the bolero! I'm hoping to do something similar...
posted by DCbrideinATL 77 posts 2 months agoMy dress has a halter neck. I too wanted something not strapless and had trouble finding it. I never thought I would pick a halter neck, none of the photos I cut out of magazines or bookmarked online were halters, but it turned out to be really flattering on me.
posted by kerry81480 20 posts 2 months agoI haven't bought my dress yet, but I am certain I want some sort of strap. Besides, if you do find a strapless dress, cap sleeves/straps, etc. can be added fairly easily. I LOVE the look of the lacy slightly off the shoulder thin sleeve. I think its sexier than the bare shoulders.
Yes everyones doing strapless, but it doesn't mean it looks good on them. I was photographing a beautiful plus-size bride and she kept saying to me, try not to photograph my fat arms. Honey, if you aren't comfortable it'll definitely SHOW. She should have bought a cute little bolero to wear and she wouldn't have been so self-conscious.
posted by MissCamera 75 posts 2 months agoI had to laugh when I read this because I thought the same thing. I have been to countless weddings where the bride is wearing a strapless gown and yes, there are some beautiful choices out there but I too wanted to be different. I am wearing a 2Be Bridal silk dress with a deep v in the front and back with straps at my wedding in April and I cant wait!
posted by millernj13 2 posts 2 months agoI'll be having straps, but for the opposite reason from thefuturemrsjay - my boobs are way too BIG for strapless! It would take a major feat of engineering to keep my girls up where they should be with a strapless dress, so I'll be having straps!
posted by marianneinvan 69 posts 2 months agohahaha! Marianneinvan - I'm in exactly the same situation. I was trying to imagine a strapless bra that fit tight enought not to have to mess with it all night and I think I wouldn't be able to breathe. A bra with straps is the reason I won't be strapless.
I haven't gotten a dress yet, but for those of you looking for something with straps and affordable, check out Jasmine Bridal's collection. They've got beautiful dresses with straps and sleeves.
posted by roseskier1 65 posts 2 months agoMy dress is v-neck with thick straps :)
posted by indecisivebride 80 posts 2 months agoI actually bought a strapless gown and am having straps added...I am going strapless for the ceremony (b/c my FH freaked out once after seeing me in a strapless BM dress I wore a few years ago...talk about someone making you feel beautiful...it was wonderful!! haha) and then I'm attaching straps for the reception. I'll feel a million times more comfortable with the added security of the straps. Plus, it's like 2 dresses in one!
posted by GNAK17 19 posts 2 months agoGNAK17 is on to something. If you can find an affordable dress that you just absolutely love that happens to be strapless, if it's cost effective, then you might want to consider adding sleeves. But I know how you feel. It seems like most of the dresses are either strapless or halter style. I ended up having a dress made because I got sick of looking for one that would work up top. There's really no easy answer...just keep looking. You're bound to find something that works for you eventually!
posted by mlindsey 175 posts 2 months agoI'm going halter, not strapless. I have big boobs, so in a strapless I just felt too naked! :o)
posted by PrettyKitty 34 posts 2 months agoI'm glad to know I'm not the only one too. The one requirement I had for my wedding dress was that it had to have staps or the ability to add straps! I've worn strappless dresses before to formal events and spent half the day with my fingers stuck down it trying to pull it up. Um... not very flattering! In fact, I tend to be a little self conscious even in spaghetti straps so I got a cardigan and had our married monogram embroidered on it. I went without it for the ceremony and some of the reception, but it was so nice to have it if I started feeling uncomfortable. Good luck with finding your dress! And I can saying that having straps on my dress was one of the best things I did for myself.
posted by bonniebelle101 291 posts 2 months agoI didn't want strapless either. I can pull it off, but it wasn't the bridal look I had in mind. I wanted a cross over v-neck (not unlike J Crew's Sophia dress,) and when I went shopping, it sure did feel like nobody wore anything but strapless. Anyway, I ended up having a dress made.
(as an aside, a well fitted strapless gown should really be held up by your waist and hips, not your boobs.)
posted by MsPopcorn 104 posts 2 months ago