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Photo: Stewart Cohen

Should I Go Strapless For My Wedding Dress?

A strapless wedding dress is one of the most popular and universal styles and because a strapless bridal gown is built with enough structure to hold itself up, the style is beautifully flattering and supportive.  An enduring favourite with our brides, strapless wedding gowns are perfect for summer weddings or ceremonies abroad. The wonderful thing about strapless wedding dresses is that they allow brides to add lace bridal tops, beaded bridal jackets or a cape and make it individual.

Designer: Galia Lahav

Designer: Galia Lahav

Why Are Strapless Wedding Gowns So Popular?

As ball gowns and big, long skirts are so popular, women prefer to show more skin on top as not to seem too covered up, which can make them look conservative and older. Even women who don’t wear strapless dresses in day-to-day life often feel drawn to them for their weddings. Every bride wants to feel like a princess and this is their chance to wow everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a classic, modern or bohemian bride, figuring out the most flattering silhouette for your wedding dress is a serious challenge. Taking your body shape into consideration is a great starting point whether you’re hoping to accentuate your favorited feature or aiming to conceal a few trouble zones (. One timeless silhouette we’re in favour of no matter your shape or size is a strapless bridal dress. With the ability to highlight your arms, shoulders, and neckline, it’s the sort of silhouette that’s incredibly flattering for the upper body and versatile on the bottom.

Designer: Adrianna Papell

Designer: Adrianna Papell

Tips to Prevent Strapless Bridal Gowns From Falling Down

Here’s how to wear a strapless gown gracefully and comfortably—and without the distraction of constant adjustment.

1. Communicate During Fittings

Imitate the movements you’ll make on the big day: sit, stand, raise your arms to hug someone, and (though it feels a bit odd) dance around a little bit. Does it feel easy and natural? Does the bodice stay up? The dress should fit the waist, and ribcage and the rim should sit close to you.

Photo: Stewart Cohen

Photo: Stewart Cohen

2. Select the Right Undergarments

Bring your undergarments to any and all fittings. The proper foundation—strapless bra, corset, longline bustier, or Spanx—will set you up for a no-slip style. Look for designs that have silicone grips along the sides, which hug the body. If your gown has one shoulder or a deep V, you can wear a convertible strapless bra or adhesive backless version, which sticks to your skin. Or, ask your bridal store to sew in cups so you don’t have to worry about fit issues.

Courtesy-Brides Magazine

Courtesy-Brides Magazine

3. Engage a Dressmaker

A good bridal dressmaker can add boning or an interior waist belt, or elongate the boning to help support the dress, all of which can help prevent your dress from falling. An expert can fashion a cap sleeve or a shrug in a see-through fabric, or build up a more modest neckline, camouflaging what you want hidden without changing the look significantly.

Designer: d’Italia

Designer: d’Italia

4. Be Ready For A Quick Fix

If there’s no time to alter, or if you’re a bridesmaid, have a backup plan ready. For a quick fix you could use tape, If your dress has a waist belt, try making it tighter by using a safety pin. If you’re good with a needle and thread, you can easily adjust the waist belt. You could also stitch the bustier from the inside to the dress—it should help give it additional support.

5. Boning

If you’ve already got cups sewn to your dress, ask if your seamstress or bridal designer can add boning to the dress, if it already doesn’t come with it. Boning will help secure the shape of the bust, and prevent anything from slipping off, even if it may seem a little loose at the chest area.

Designer: Alon Livne White

Designer: Alon Livne White

Ways to Accessories a Strapless Bridal Gown

While bridal trends are constantly changing, one trend has stayed true- strapless wedding dresses are the most popular neckline. Universally flattering and timeless, brides often choose a strapless style – especially because they are easy to accessorize! The open neckline that strapless bridal gowns create is a great base to add on some styling additions should you wish! Your dress can then transition from day to evening with two very different looks. The best part of adding an accessory to a strapless wedding dress is that it gives you two looks in one – wear the accessory for the ceremony and pop it off when the dance floor opens!

1. Statement Earrings

Jazz up a simpler style with a fun pair of statement earrings and a chic chignon. Diamond drops, colourful fringe, oversized pearls—whatever suits your fancy. Another great way to incorporate this style is to keep things more traditional for the ceremony with a classic bridal hairstyle and veil, and then sweep your hair up into a sleek pony, pop in some fun earrings and swipe on a red lip for the reception. The possibilities are endless.

Photo: KT Merry

Photo: KT Merry

2. Embellished Veil

We love the way a beautifully embellished veil looks with a simple strapless gown, such as a satin mermaid or a silk mikado fit and flare, like the styles featured above. By choosing a plain bridal fabric without embellishment for your gown, you’re free to add a veil that WOWS—think beading, sequins, lace appliqués, or satin trim.

Designer: d’Italia

Designer: d’Italia

3. Simple Headpiece

With a dress that speaks for itself, like a princess-inspired ruffled ballgown or a sexy crystal encrusted mermaid, all you need is something simple to top it off. Our suggestion: a small comb, delicate hair vine or barely-there headband should do the trick.

4. Statement Heels

If you just so happen to be interested in baring a little leg, we’ve got styles for you! We love how fun and flirty a statement shoe (think a bold red heel, or your something blue) looks with a strapless gown featuring a high-low hem or a daring slit.

5. A Bolero

Boleros are a great option if you’d like two looks in one, or if you’re getting married in a religious ceremony with a reception elsewhere. Whether you purchase a style with a bolero included or you add one suggested by accessories consultant boleros add a classic and traditional look to your wedding dress.

Picture: Pintrest

Picture: Pintrest

Bridal dress strapless can have different neckline shapes. Straight necklines are strapless with the top of the bodice cut in a straight line. The straight neckline of a strapless gown can be embellished with beading, lace or a cuff. You can also add your own accessories to strapless wedding gowns – classic pearls, bold jewels, or your ‘something blue.’ Or let the dress stand on its own. A simple strapless wedding dress can often be the most striking look.

We hope that our recommendations will help you to find your perfect gown, offered by Bridal Stores in Melbourne. Shopping for strapless bridal gowns doesn’t have to be a scary or discouraging experience. No matter what size you are, every bride can find their perfect dream wedding gown. If you don’t know where to start or who to turn to, our tips and tricks and guidelines are there to help you design and create the perfect piece. Click here to book an appointment with our team of highly talented wedding dress designers. Contact us today, for your free in-store design consultation and over the phone styling advice service from our lovely team of bridal designers who have been creating dream wedding dresses in Melbourne for the past 19 years!

You could argue that strapless wedding dresses are the most versatile styles on the market. The bare shoulders and open neckline give you infinite styling possibilities – statement jewelry, a jacket, or just collarbone contouring to enhance your already amazing features.  Plus, strapless wedding dresses never go out of style!