What is the deal with strapless wedding gowns?

Question

They do look pretty and all but I always seem to see strapless dresses on the people who don't look good with that kind of dress. Why is it that we never even see off-the-shoulder straps anymore; much less, long-sleeved?

Answer 1

There are some pretty strapless dresses but they are not flattering on most women.

How it works with any fashion is that one designer or a group of them decide something is going to be the next big thing. Then that becomes the only thing supplied to the stores and the public either loves it or doesn't. The ones who don't love it are usually in the minority. Until a mass group of public protests, the stores are going to keep selling what the designers decide everyone should love.

At the moment, strapless is the in thing, even though it doesn't look good on alot of women and many women can't wear strapless whether due to religious restrictions or it doesn't work with their body type (nothing to hold the dress up on top, too much on top and it spills out everywhere, etc) or they are just not comfortable in that style. No one should be forced to wear something that they aren't comfortable in. Yes some stores offer the option of having a wrap for churches that don't allow strapless (and many churches don't allow that as an alternative) or having sleeves sewn on last minute. If a bride wants sleeves, whatever length they are, she should have the option that the dress already comes with them. But unless she chooses to get a dress custom made, she is screwed over by the dress designers and stores.

Also, many women feel that since strapless is the only option in the stores, that they're stuck with that style. Some may want to get a custom dress but they don't know where to look or where to ask to get started. So they end up being stuck with a dress they don't love and, if they are getting married in a church, something that the church doesn't allow them to wear. Dresses are not cheap so a bride should be able to get what she wants, whether strapless or not. I think it's a load of crap as to why strapless dresses are the only options available to most women.

Answer 2

I think that is just the way the bridal industry has been trending. The upcoming seasons will still have a ton of strapless, but the designers are catching on. Davids Bridal now gives you the option to add sleeves to any strapless gown. There a 7 styles to choose from.
http://www.davidsbridal.com/accessory_detail.jsp?stid=2951&prodgroup=201

As for those people who clearly shouldn't wear strapless dresses: it happens everyday, people who wear stuff they just shouldn't be wearing. I see people and think- what went through their head, I mean seriously, did you think you looked good? I know it sounds mean and superficial, which is not me at all, but sometimes I just don't get it. I joke about starting a website called people who don't own mirrors.com.
I had issues with finding a dress that didn't give me uber cleavage and line backer shoulders. I opted for two different strapless dresses. (I had a second dress to use at the reception because I was having girly issues and needed to be able to move around the ladies room.)
At the end of the day, as long as the bride feels beautiful, then she's in the right dress for her!!!

This is what worked out for me:
Ceremony
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/bayleenorman/02130303.jpg
Reception
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w104/bayleenorman/newwed.jpg

Hope this helped!!!!

Answer 3

Overweight girls and short girls look "not so nice" in strapless dresses [and overly endowed]. Some look as though the dress will fall off any minute. Dresses that are too mini are no better. Classical styles look good though the ages. People in the 1930's had some really simple but pretty long wedding dresses. They still look trendy. They were mostly sheath dresses with lace overlays. I just think a pretty and happy bride's face should be the focal point... the dress should not take away any attention from her happy eyes and enchanting smile.

Answer 4

Keep looking. The places I went had hundreds of dresses with long sleeves--though as a June bride that wasn't what I was looking for.

I tried on mostly halter neck lines. And Demetrios has mostly off-the-shoulder styles. I saw several capped sleeves (though I don't like it). The dress I almost bought had sleeves that you slip on. Sorta like garters that slide up your arms and hold on your biceps. The sleeves drape from there. But the long sleeves are very popular. True more weddings are in May, June and July--but not more than in every other month. It's just hard to find an informal, destination wedding that has sleeves. Normally a shorter length, destination wedding is in a hotter location.

I think you just need to keep looking and perhaps look at bigger stores if you have having so much trouble finding anything that isn't strapless.

Answer 5

When I went shopping for my dress (this time last year) I had the worst time finding a dress that wasn't strapless. The best that most of the salons I visited could do for me was offer to add cap sleeves to a strapless dress- but I wanted a dress with actual sleeves.

I ended up with a strapless dress that came with a shrug jacket- it looked like a dress with sleeves. I kept the jacket on all night. I guess so few girls get dresses with sleeves/straps that most shops don't even carry anything else!

Answer 6

Bridal dresses go through the same thing as regular high street clothes in that fashions change, a few years ago wedding dresses were all about puff sleeves and huge skirts. It is just that the current fashion for dresses is strapless. If you don't like that style you could always have a dress made for you with sleeves.

Answer 7

I agree 100%. I have no idea. The vast majority of people aside from the models in wedding magazines cannot wear strapless gowns and look good. The flat chested look even flatter and shapeless, and overweight women look either saggy, imodest, or chubby. Most people can benefit from bust support and larger women tend to look better in sleeves, unless they happen to have thin toned arms.

Of course, a bride has the right to wear anything she feels comfortable in, but a bride should also look her best.

The fact is, strapless gowns look best on thin, delicate women with medium to large chests (implants work best since no support is needed), unless you are extremely thin and want to pull off a waif look without any definition. Average size women will look undefined and flat chested, without curves, and larger women will be unsupported and spilling out like a stuffed sausage roll.

I think all brides are beautiful, large and small. But that doesn't mean that anyone can wear any dress and look good.

I personally prefer v-necks, with or without sleeves. Flattering for all.

Answer 8

I thought the same thing when I went to shop for my wedding dress! I was adamant about not wanting a strapless dress. I am not comfortable in them, don't like the way they look, don't want to be pulling my bra up all night etc etc

buuutttt then I finally tried on a strapless dress and uh, it was perfect and ended up being the one I wore in my wedding.

Answer 9

I think the strapless dresses are very nice. I don't have a problem with the style and each bride can decide what they want to wear. Not for me to judge.

Personally, I do like other styles like halter, v-necks, etc.

However, I don't like long sleeves or anything that is too buttoned up. Brides are usually young w/ the average age of a bride about 25/26.

Most younger women want sometime that is modern, sleek and flattering to the figure. Most long-sleeved dresses or on that that have fuller short sleeves are a bit frumpy and have too much excess material. Excess material can make one appear to have excess pounds, which is not attractive. Plus, some of those gowns are too matronly.

To each is there own.

Answer 10

I know! It's so frustrating! I wanted a dress with off the shoulder sleeves or halter sleeves but it's impossible to fine something!

I'll probably just stick with strapless. :(