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The modern strapless dress first appeared in the 1930s, popularised by designers such as Mainbocher and Christian Dior. However, it was in the 1990s that strapless wedding dresses began to increase in popularity, with brides embracing more streamlined and sexy looks. By 2012, the style was described as the most widely requested for Western weddings, with Kim Forrest, the editor of WeddingWire, declaring it the standard for wedding dresses. While strapless wedding dresses remain popular, recent years have seen a shift towards dresses with sleeves or straps, with Kate Middleton's wedding gown featuring long, lacy sleeves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Increased in the 1990s |
| Became the standard for wedding dresses | |
| Considered by some to be a "rejection of the virginal ideal" | |
| Popular in the early 2000s | |
| May be on the decline | |
| First appeared | 1930s |
| Popularised by designers such as Mainbocher and Christian Dior | |
| Predated by actress Libby Holman in 1930 | |
| Popularised by heiress Brenda Frazier in 1938 |
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What You'll Learn
The modern strapless dress emerged in the 1930s
The modern strapless dress first appeared in the 1930s, popularised by designers such as Mainbocher, who created a black satin strapless gown in 1934. The style was also associated with actress Libby Holman, who was photographed wearing a strapless dress in 1930, and heiress Brenda Frazier, who wore a strapless dress for her debut in 1938.
Strapless dresses remained popular after the Second World War, with one of the most famous examples being the black satin gown worn by Rita Hayworth in the film Gilda. However, the style was sometimes described as the "naked look" and was considered immodest by more conservative customers and religious groups.
In the 1990s, strapless wedding dresses began to increase in popularity, with brides embracing more streamlined and sexy looks. This trend continued into the early 2000s, with celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Jessica Simpson, and Madonna wearing strapless dresses for their weddings.
Today, strapless wedding dresses are considered a classic bridal choice, with many different versions of the strapless neckline available, including the popular sweetheart design and straight-across styles. However, some brides may prefer dresses with straps for additional support and comfort, especially those with a bigger bust.
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The style was popularised by designers like Mainbocher
The strapless wedding dress is a style that has become increasingly popular in recent decades. The style first appeared in the 1930s and was popularised by designers such as Mainbocher, who in 1934 produced his first strapless gown, a black satin design which has been described as the first strapless evening dress.
Mainbocher was not alone in pioneering the style. The actress Libby Holman is also credited with inventing the style or, at the very least, being one of its first high-profile wearers. In 1930, Holman was photographed in an apparently strapless dress, and she became associated with the style. The heiress Brenda Frazier is also credited with popularising the style when she wore a strapless debutante dress for her debut and appeared in it on the cover of Life magazine on November 14, 1938.
From the late 1940s onwards, Christian Dior also popularised the style. However, it was not until the 1990s that strapless dresses became an increasingly valid option for brides, with the growing popularity of formal civil weddings. Vera Wang is sometimes credited with introducing the style of the bridal dress in the first decade of the 21st century.
Today, the strapless wedding dress is one of the most popular styles worn down the aisle, with brides being more daring in their fashion choices. The style is considered universally flattering as it elongates the neck and highlights the shoulders and collarbones. The ultra-structured bodice and exposure of the décolletage make the style universally complementing, comfortable, and feminine.
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Actresses like Libby Holman were among the first high-profile wearers
The modern strapless dress first appeared in the 1930s, popularised by designers such as Mainbocher and, from the late 1940s, Christian Dior. However, actress Libby Holman, known for her bold personality and complex personal life, had already been photographed wearing a strapless dress in 1930.
Holman, born into a once-prosperous Jewish family in Ohio, had a career that spanned Broadway, film, and music. She was known for her bold personality, wit, and stunning figure. She was frequently the subject of contemporary gossip columns, and her relationships with both men and women were the subject of much discussion. She was also known for her enthusiasm for the Harlem Renaissance, and she often socialised in Harlem with friends at gay speakeasies.
Holman became associated with the strapless dress and is often credited with inventing it or, at the very least, being one of its earliest high-profile wearers. She was photographed in an apparently strapless dress in 1930, and her bold fashion choices, such as wearing men's suits with her partner, DuPont heiress Louisa d'Andelot Carpenter, made her a frequent topic of discussion.
The popularity of the strapless dress continued after the Second World War, with one of the most famous examples being the black satin gown worn by Rita Hayworth in the 1946 film Gilda. In the 1950s, strapless dresses were considered controversial and immodest by some conservative groups, and in 1954 the United States Army tried to ban Army wives and daughters in Germany from wearing them, except at "appropriate social functions".
It wasn't until the 1990s that strapless wedding dresses began to increase in popularity, with brides embracing more daring fashion choices. By 2012, the strapless style was the most widely requested for Western wedding dresses, and it continues to be a popular choice today.
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Strapless wedding dresses became popular in the 1990s
The 1990s saw a shift in bridal fashion, with strapless wedding dresses becoming increasingly popular. This trend emerged as social and religious rules around bridal attire began to relax, allowing brides to embrace more streamlined and sexy looks. The desire to move away from the puffy balloon sleeves and frilly lace collars of the past also fuelled the rise in strapless styles.
The trend was kickstarted in 1996 when Carolyn Bessette wore a spaghetti strap gown for her wedding to John F. Kennedy Jr. The simple sheath style contrasted sharply with the heavily embellished, princess-like looks that were previously in vogue. Celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Jessica Simpson, and Madonna further popularised the trend in the early 2000s, solidifying the strapless silhouette as the standard for wedding dresses.
The appeal of strapless wedding dresses lies in their ability to showcase the décolletage, draw attention to the face, and flatter a range of figures. The versatility of this style is evident in the various shapes it offers, from the classic sweetheart neckline to modern architectural designs. The strapless neckline also provides a blank canvas for adding statement sleeves or creating a minimalist look.
While the popularity of strapless wedding dresses is undeniable, they may not work for every bride. Some brides may prefer the support and comfort offered by straps, especially those with a larger bust or those who wish to dance the night away without worry. Additionally, for religious weddings, the exposure of the shoulders and décolletage may be considered controversial, departing from the "virginal ideal".
Despite these considerations, strapless wedding dresses remain a classic choice, with many brides opting for this style to showcase their unique fashion sense. The popularity of strapless gowns has endured for decades, and it continues to be a go-to option for brides seeking a timeless yet chic look on their special day.
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They are considered sexy, chic, and minimalist
The modern strapless dress first appeared in the 1930s, popularised by designers such as Mainbocher, and from the late 1940s, Christian Dior. However, it was actress Libby Holman who was photographed in 1930 wearing an apparently strapless dress, and she is often credited with inventing it or at least being one of its earliest high-profile wearers. The style remained popular after World War II, with one of the most famous strapless dresses of this period being the black satin gown worn by Rita Hayworth in the film Gilda.
In the 1990s, strapless wedding dresses became increasingly popular, with brides embracing more streamlined and sexy looks. This trend was kickstarted by Carolyn Bessette, who wore a spaghetti strap gown for her wedding to John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1996. Celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Jessica Simpson, and Madonna soon followed suit, and strapless dresses became the most widely requested style for Western wedding dresses.
Despite their popularity, some consider strapless wedding dresses to be a "rejection of the virginal ideal", and they are potentially controversial for religious weddings. They are also associated with being uncomfortable and difficult to wear, with some brides worrying that the dress will fall down. However, they are considered sexy, chic, and minimalist, with the style drawing attention to the face and décolletage.
A simple strapless gown can create an oh-so-chic minimalist look, with a sleek and timeless silhouette. A straight-across strapless bodice, for example, can create a clean and minimalist bridal silhouette, while a sweetheart neckline can add a figure-flattering element that draws the eye toward the waist. A strapless dress can also be combined with a modern corset-inspired bodice and fitted silhouette for an elegant yet sexy look.
While some brides opt for a simple, chic, and minimalist strapless dress, others might choose to add removable sleeves for a second look. For example, the Martina Liana Luxe Style LE1379 features a strapless sweetheart bodice with tulle frill and pearl beading, with detachable off-the-shoulder sleeves for a romantic touch.
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Frequently asked questions
Strapless wedding dresses became popular in the 1990s, with brides embracing more streamlined and sexy looks.
Vera Wang is sometimes credited with introducing this style of bridal dress in the first decade of the 21st century. However, strapless dresses were an increasingly valid option from the 1990s onwards.
Yes, the modern strapless dress first appeared in the 1930s, popularised by designers such as Mainbocher and, from the late 1940s, Christian Dior. The actress Libby Holman was photographed in an apparently strapless dress in 1930 and became associated with the style.
