Post # 1
Member
4480 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: March 2010 - Calamigos Ranch
So this past weekend I was a bridesmaid in a wedding where I *had* to wear a strapless dress (did I mention that I HATE wearing those?). I swear the dress (which was too big at the last minute thanks to weight I didn’t mean to lose) AND the bra (which was not too big) both kept sliding down my back all night, and it drove me completely batty.
The problem is that the wedding dress that I am in love with is strapless (dang it!), and, really, no other will do! Any suggestions on what I can do to make it more comfortable? I’d hate to be adjusting and, well, pulling things up all night. So other than getting my alterations finished up much closer to the date to guard against last minute pound dropping, is there anything to be done?
Post # 3
Member
89 posts
Worker bee
I won’t speak from experience because I haven’t done this, but every place I have tried on dresses, the consultants have said that it is an easy alteration to add straps. They have even gone as far as pulling pieces of fabric and using it as a “makeshift” strap to show me what it would look like. I’m sure if you talk to whoever is altering your dress, they can give you some good suggestions.
There are lots of pretty straps out there, slim beaded straps, lace capsleeves, you name it, i’m sure someone can fix it for you! I’m in the same boat as you, strapless dresses DO NOT stay up on me, so i’m hoping that when altered to fit my body, it won’t be as bad, but my backup plan is to add tiny beaded straps!
Post # 4
Member
256 posts
Helper bee
Sorry, I have no advice but I would like to say that I, too, hate strapless dresses!
Post # 5
Member
2889 posts
Sugar bee
I was also told you can add straps to any strapless dress and shown options involving small cap sleeves but ultimately, I bought a dress that is not strapless so it was not an issue for me. Talk to your tailor, Iäm sure they can do something.
Post # 6
Member
248 posts
Helper bee
It sounds like you don’t want to add sleeves? What about that double sided fashion tape, so you could stick it to you? I’ve never tried it so I don’t know how comfortable/long lasting (e.g. sweat-resistant) it is but could be worth a look.
Post # 7
Member
898 posts
Busy bee
I’m not well endowed, so strapless always slips down on me. It’s so aggravating. I haven’t been gown shopping yet, so I’m not sure if bridal gowns have this, but i know that strapless bras sometimes have non-slip silicone edging. Perhaps you could ask the person who does alterations if this could be added?
Post # 8
Member
853 posts
Busy bee
bras with silicon edging help as flip flop bride suggested. i’ve also known brides to add thin spaghetti straps to the dress. it doesn’t give you a ton of support but at least it stops it from slipping. i think if you get something w/ corseting, that will help too b/c it’ll hold your torso. if you sew your bra into your dress (or have a dress with built in support, it’ll be one less piece to fidget with, and if either piece fits you well, that should be fine.
Post # 9
Member
774 posts
Busy bee
i have also ben told that alterations adding straps are no problem. Many of the dresses I have tried on actually have straps included with snaps on the inside of the dress. Have you tried on your dress already? Maybe your dress has this option.
Post # 10
Member
495 posts
Helper bee
My Maid/Matron of Honor got married last year and fell in love with a lacy/beaded strapless dress, and since she had to have it hemmed, her seamstress made gorgeous lace cap sleeves out of the extra material. I’d do that or any of the ideas above and that should definitely help! 🙂
Post # 11
Member
2007 posts
Buzzing bee
Actually, I wouldn’t worry about it at all. I very strongly dislike normal strapless dresses because they usually don’t stay up on me and if they do, they look bad. However, since wedding dresses are typically so structured they tend to stay up due to the support they get from your waist/hips. The strapless dresses I tried on felt very secure and didn’t feel like they would shift at all.
That said, it’s also very easy to add straps.
Post # 12
Member
4480 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: March 2010 - Calamigos Ranch
Thanks ladies! @FlipFlopBride, I have to say that it’s not just about being well-endowed or not… I’m a D and they still fall off of me ALL THE TIME. :-/ I’ve tried the dress and it didn’t seem very structured inside like I was hoping, but I’ll see what the seamstress can do… maybe I can get a corset sewn in. Straps are an option, but I’m afraid they might ruin the look of the neckline.
Post # 13
Member
7082 posts
Busy Beekeeper
What @cait said…
I was mortally opposed to strapless dresses, and was only convinced to wear one when I learned about how the boning structure in the bodice is designed to keep the dress up.
I didn’t have to tug at mine once during the wedding… but when it was not fitting correctly, I tugged at it all the time. I went to the seamstress and got an inch and a half taken in on each side, and lo and behold no need for the tug!
