Franklin Dean
A strapless wedding dress is a classic and elegant choice, but it can be tricky to wear. Many brides worry about their dress slipping down or feeling uncomfortable due to a lack of support. To prevent this, it's important to choose the right fit and consider enlisting the help of a seamstress for alterations. A professional stylist should measure your bust, waist, and hips to ensure the dress stays in place without slipping or tugging. You can also add sleeves to a strapless dress by purchasing matching fabric and sewing it to the neckline. Additionally, accessories like a simple necklace or earrings can enhance your look and draw attention to your neckline and shoulders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fit | A professional stylist should measure the bust, waist, and hips to provide a size recommendation. |
| Weight fluctuations | Purchase the dress as close to the wedding date as possible to account for weight changes. |
| Last-minute alterations | A seamstress can add corset boning, bra cups, or a waistband for extra support. |
| Accessories | A simple necklace or earrings can draw attention to the neckline, while a belt or sash can accentuate the waistline. |
| Shoes | Choose comfortable shoes that fit well, such as lower heels or even sneakers. |
| Rehearsals | Practice walking, dancing, and sitting in the dress to get comfortable. |
| Slipping | Use double-sided fashion tape on the inside of the dress, especially around the neckline, to prevent slipping. |
| Straps | Removable straps can be added for extra support and can be snapped on and off as needed. |
| Taking in the dress | Avoid tailors who want to take up the dress from the center back, as this can ruin the front-to-back proportions. Instead, opt for alterations at the side seams for a better shape. |
| Anchoring | Anchor the dress to a strapless bra to prevent sliding and provide more security, especially for heavy gowns. |
| Cup size adjustment | For larger cup sizes, a skilled dressmaker can adjust the gaping in front at the neckline without it showing on the outside of the dress. |
| Sexy back | Add lace or lower the back of the dress for a sexy yet understated look. |
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What You'll Learn
Anchoring the dress to a bra
Anchoring your dress to your bra is a great way to prevent your strapless wedding dress from slipping down. This method is especially helpful for brides with heavy gowns that tend to slide down.
Firstly, purchase a padded bra or a regular bra with added push-up cups. You can ask your seamstress to sew the cups into your dress. If you are a C cup or above, you may need a "cup size adjustment" to your dress. This is necessary if you still see gaping at the front neckline after pinning the dress tight at the sides. A skilled dressmaker will ensure that this adjustment is not visible from the outside of the dress.
If you are uncomfortable with the idea of sewing cups into your dress, you can opt for a strapless bra with removable straps. This gives you the option to add straps if you feel uncomfortable throughout the day. You can also ask your tailor to create custom removable straps that snap on and off your dress.
To ensure that your dress fits securely, it needs to hit your body in the correct spots. Colleen Giresei, creative design and alterations director at Castle Couture, recommends a test to ensure the gown is sitting correctly. Measure under your arm at a two-finger width on an angle—this is the golden rule of a strapless gown.
Fashion tape can also be used to alter the fit of your dress without making permanent alterations. However, this is only suitable for areas with slight gaping and will not replace the need for a bra.
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Using fashion tape
Fashion tape is a double-sided adhesive that can be used to secure clothing to your body. It is a great way to alter the fit of a strapless wedding dress without any alterations. It can be used to keep the dress from slipping down and also to hold your boobs in.
- Do your research, read reviews, and consider the fabric of your dress and the environment of your wedding. For example, if your wedding will be hot and humid, go for extra-strength tape. If your dress is made of gossamer silk or tulle, choose a clear, ultra-low-profile option.
- Practice wearing the tape with your dress beforehand to figure out the most effective places to stick it and how much you need.
- Bring your tape with you to your final fitting and ask your tailor to help you figure out the best places for tape.
- Clean and prepare your skin before applying the tape to ensure it adheres properly and stays in place.
- Cut three separate strips of tape: one for each side of the chest and one for the centre of the dress.
- Peel off the backing from one side of the tape and attach it to the desired area on your skin. Press it firmly to ensure a secure hold.
- Remove the backing from the other side of the tape and slowly attach it to the fabric of your dress. Smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles for a seamless look.
- Repeat the above steps for the remaining strips, making sure to adjust the position as needed for desired support.
- If you prefer a gentler removal, use a little bit of water to loosen the adhesive before peeling off the tape.
- If you're going braless or want some extra lift, try wrapping the tape vertically under your breasts.
Remember, even the best tape will lose its power if you keep readjusting it, so make sure to place each strip carefully.
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Adding sleeves
First, select a sleeve style. Decide how much coverage you want. If you want a lot of coverage or will be wearing the dress to a very formal event, consider adding full-length or three-quarter sleeves. If your dress is casual or loose, you might prefer a capped sleeve or off-the-shoulder sleeve. You can also add detachable sleeves, allowing you to change your look between the ceremony and reception.
If you want to attach the sleeves directly to the dress, you will need to create quick straps for the neckline. You can use excess fabric from the dress or buy fabric that complements the dress. Then, sew capped sleeves onto the straps where they meet the neckline. You can also add sleeves by stitching them directly onto spaghetti straps.
If you are unsure what style of sleeve to use, look for dresses with a similar style to yours in fashion magazines, or work with a seamstress to narrow down the types of sleeves that will work with your dress.
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Taking in the seams
When taking in the seams, it is generally better to do so at the side seams rather than the centre back. This is because altering the centre back can ruin the front-to-back proportions of the dress and pull the side seams to the back of your body. However, there are rare cases where taking in the centre back is necessary, such as when there is intricate detail on the sides that cannot be removed or lifted off easily. A skilled dressmaker should be able to lift off and re-attach details like lace and beading if needed.
When taking in the side seams, it is important to be careful not to make the seam look wonky. It is also important to ensure that the dress still feels comfortable and doesn't compromise the style line of the bodice, creating a "muffin top" effect. If there is boning in the dress, taking in the seams can help the dress fit better, but it won't solve the problem if the dress is gaping away from your body.
If you have a large cup size, you may need to have darts sewn into the dress. However, this is rare and should only be done by a skilled seamstress who can ensure that the darts are inconspicuous. A true sewing professional will take the time to reshape the dress for your cup size, even if it takes longer, to ensure that the dress looks like the original design.
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Lowering the back
Before altering the back, it is crucial to ensure the dress fits well in other areas, such as the bust and waist. A professional stylist or seamstress can help with these adjustments, ensuring the dress stays in place without slipping or tugging. They may suggest taking in the side seams or, in rare cases, the centre back seam. Additionally, they can add cups, corset boning, or a waistband for extra support and structure.
If you are considering lowering the back, it is essential to choose a talented and skilled seamstress or dressmaker. While it may be tempting to opt for a cheaper option, alterations to the centre back seam can ruin the front-to-back proportions of the dress. A good dressmaker should be able to lift off and re-attach lace, re-bead, and make adjustments without compromising the original design.
Some brides have shared their experiences with lowering the back of their strapless wedding dresses. One bride mentioned that her dress gapped out at the sides during the ceremony, requiring double-sided tape to prevent a wardrobe malfunction. Another bride suggested that instead of altering the back, it might be more feasible to add a lace panel or choose a dress with a plunging back.
Ultimately, the decision to lower the back of a strapless wedding dress involves considering the structure of the dress, the skill of the seamstress, and the potential risks and costs of the alteration. While it is possible to achieve a lower back, it may be more practical to choose a dress with the desired back design or work with a skilled seamstress to make informed decisions about alterations.
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Frequently asked questions
A tailor can adjust the waist and bust for a snug fit. You can also use double-sided fashion tape on the inside of your dress, especially where the dress meets your skin.
A skilled dressmaker can perform a cup size adjustment. They will ensure that any alterations don't show on the outside of the dress.
Yes, a tailor can create custom removable straps that snap on and off. You can also add sleeves by purchasing matching fabric and sewing them to the neckline.
Simple jewellery, such as a necklace or earrings, can accentuate your neckline and shoulders. A belt or sash can highlight your waistline. For cooler weather, you might want a jacket, bolero, or shawl.
Look for a reputable alterations place with good reviews. Ask tailors about their approach to taking in a strapless dress, as it's usually best to do this at the side seams rather than the centre back.
