Wedding Blog
I picked up my last “wedding related” clothing purchase at Anthropologie this weekend…a cute little teal strapless number for the Rehearsal Dinner. So that means, I wore strapless dresses for both my showers, and will wear strapless dresses for my RD and for the wedding. Funny thing is, I’ve never once, in my entire life, ever wore a strapless dress before I got engaged. Not even for prom. Truth be told, I just don’t think strapless dresses are very flattering on me. So why oh why, now that I’m getting married, do I feel the need to be wearing them all the time? I think it’s because they make me feel “bridal”. Which is clearly a pretty strange reason to wear a dress that isn’t super flattering on me, yet, I continue to be drawn to them throughout the planning process.
It’s a mystery to me as to why the majority of wedding dresses are strapless, and it’s an even bigger mystery to me why I chose one. Granted, I only tried on 5 dresses, so I never really gave myself a chance to try more than one non-strapless dress. I think I look just fine in the dress, but I would never wear my hair up with it, knowing that I’d feel self concious with my “swimmer-shoulders-turned-ex-swimmer-shoulders” hanging out there all bare for the world to see.
I can’t be the only gal out there who’s wearing strapless dresses for the first time now that she’s getting married.
Have you gone out of your comfort zone (clothing or otherwise) because of your wedding?
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My wedding dress is my first strapless one also! But since then I have bought 2 more strapless dresses.
I look awful in strapless dresses. My prom dress was strapless and when I look back at pics, I shudder. My chubby arm fat is all out in its full glory. It’s just not a good look. My outfit isn’t strapless, but it does have cap sleeves which are also unkind to chubby arms. Not sure why I did that!
i swore up and down that i would never wear a strapless dress for my wedding - but alas, the dress i fell in love with is strapless. and i think it boosted my confidence in strapless (i’m a busty girl) and i ended up finding two other strapless dresses for a day-before the wedding shower and the rehearsal. who knew!
I am another straples-aphobe. Oddly, the sleeveless dresses I favor (including my wedding dress) still reveal my big honkin’ upper arms, but somehow that doesn’t phase me.
Please Pengy, can we see pic of RD dress? Because, whatever you may think, you one hot mama– straps or no straps!
I never wear strapless and was determined to not buy a strapless wedding dress because I wanted something different and ‘unbridal’ and yet I bought one slinky strapless Pronovias number! I’m regretting it now though and trying to figure out what can be done without buying a new dress…. I thought I could do it but I do miss my straps! x
I did Not want a strapless dress but had a hellova time finding a dress that was Not strapless. I finally gave in and bought one that was strapless (b/c it was on sale and I didn’t think I really cared what the dress was like in the end). However, I’ve come full circle and just bought a wedding dress that Does have straps. I’m going to sell the strapless one on eBay or something. I don’t understand the strapless phenomenon either. WHY is strapless the big thing? So few women feel good about their arms… it doesn’t make sense.
my name is missm, and i am a former strapless-o-phobe…
what is it about weddings and strapless dresses? i was not only determined to not get a strapless dress, but also a non-white dress without poof. my dress?
white - check
strapless - check
pouf - check (well, more full than poufy, but you get the pic)
since my initial foray into strapless for the wedding, i’ve since purchased a strapless RD dress *and* a strapless for the honeymoon. perhaps wedding dresses are the gateway dresses for a strapless invasion?
to be fair, the RD dress was just an excuse to justify purchasing the most amazing pink vintage-y silk cropped jacket ever, but this strapless thing just keeps coming up!
I was determined not to buy strapless either (I haven’ t worn a strapless dress since my first “formal” dance in seventh grade) but surprised at how much better strapless looked when compared to all of the ridiculous attempts at hiding fat arms like cap sleeves, sheer straps, sheer cap sleeves, and sheer shrugs which were far from flattering on me. Since then, I bought another strapless dress to wear to a black tie affair we attended about a month ago and I felt comfortable–it was a good trial run. I’m with you, though, Miss Penguin. I wouldn’t dare wear my hair up and do strapless.
I have never worn strapless until I got my strapless gown (and found a great strapless bra to hold my big bewbies). Now I am thinking of getting a strapless dress for RD and such. It feels liberating that I can wear it!
I’m most definitely not going out of my comfort zone for my wedding garb. But this was a purposeful choice - I wanted to be as comfy as possible. I don’t want to be yanking up a dress all day long - which I would TOTALLY do no matter how well the dress was fitted to my body. I’d feel retarded and unclassy all day.
With that said, I think you look FANTASTIC in your dress and I think it’s great that it makes you feel “bridal” - because that’s how you should feel. 
I am boycotting strapless for my wedding. I’m not wearing it, the sisters will not wear it, the bridesmaids will not wear it, and the moms will not wear it. I am doing this because 1. I look ridiculous in strapless because I have horrid posture and you can’t pull of strapless without good posture 2. I feel terribly uncomfortable in strapless because I feel continually as if I should be adjusting myself 3. I am getting married in December and it doesn’t seem to make sense to have half your torso uncovered in the middle of winter and 4. Strapless tends to give even really skinny women armpit flab. There shall be no unflattering clothing at my wedding!
i didn’t want a strapless dress.
i am scared of strapless dresses.
i bought a strapless dress.
this makes no sense.
now i spend my days thinking about how i have nothing to contain my upper body fat……geeze….
I’m also scared of strapless dresses. I have purchased strapless dresses in the past, but they just sit in my closet…so I was determined not to buy a strapless wedding dress even though almost all the gowns I loved in the magazines were strapless.
I bought a non-strapless dress
You look gorgeous in your strapless dress!
My problem is in refusing to go out of my comfort zone (/personal fashion rules according to things that look bad on me or I don’t like). Which makes the following rules for my dress:
- must have sleeves/straps (but not the skinny little “I’m really strapless but pretending not to be” straps)
-no sequins/flashy beading
-no “cheap”/low-quality lace
-no empire waist
-no diamond white
Actually, I hate wearing anything close to white which is really a problem for me in finding a wedding dress 
I’m probably gonna go for gold or a darker ivory…. But! As you see, I have ruled out the majority of wedding dresses and pretty much any that I can afford (less than $700). Luckily, I sew, so that is likely the route I am going.
I think strapless dresses are pretty hard to pull off unless your BMI is under 20 (which excludes moi). Of course the ladies up on this board are gorgeous (including you) and make it look easy. I bowed not to be enticed by the strapless mirage and got a V neck, empire waist, sleeveless dress, which is so flattering on me (only if I can zip it up!). Although it’s sleeveless, the strap does make a big difference.
Hey there girly. I was just thinking bout you and thought I’d pop onto WB to see if you’re around and here you is, all bare shouldered. To answer your question, I too have been drawn to strapless Bridaly things. Hmm…
weird.
Send an email if you have a half a moment (because I know this close to the wed you don’t have a whole moment) and let me know if you need any help with stuff. I know there’s little I can do from down here, but don’t hesitate to ask. Smooches Pengho!
OMG, I totally feel you on the swimmer-shoulder thing…I wore a strapless ballgown as the MOH in my friend’s wedding last weekend, and at first glance at the ‘teaser’ pix from her photog all I could see was my massive upper back looming above the dress. But then my mom pointed out that the expanse of shoulder made my waist look tiny (at least from the back) and I felt a little better 
Peng, where’s the standing on the toilet shot of you in the teal dress? We want to seeeee! I’m pretty sure it’s the same one my friend Carolyn wore to her RD = hot.
I think it’s nearly impossible to find non-strapless gowns now for the same reason it was nearly impossible to find non-poofy-sleeved gowns in the 80’s — it’s just what the designers deem trendy. Of course, strapless is far nicer looking than the ridiculous poofy sleeves. But you get my drift : )
I always thought I would want some extravagant number dripping with beads, but I just bought a beautiful silk J Crew gown (off of eBay, no less!) and am just having it gussied up a little.
awesome post. i never wore anything strapless before my wedding dress either. and now i love strapless dresses!
Yes Yes Yes, I am in the same boat and I totally understand. I also used to swim and feel the same thing Miss P. I of course got the strapless gown too. I couldn’t say no to the strapless.
No way! I wore a gown with cute cap sleeves. I hate strapless..I am uh..full figured and a strapless gown would have looked really bad on me-and my church frowns on them anyway!
Absolutely. I swore up and down I wasn’t going to get a strapless wedding gown (I’m a bit on the busty side and didn’t think it would be supportive enough), but like so many of you, I fell in love with a strapless dress. I tried on other styles but it was the strapless one that incited “bouncing” as my salesperson called it. . . and not in the way I figured it would be meant.
I actually found myself looking at a strapless dress for the first time ever this very day! What perfect timing with your post I think investing in that really supportive strapless, low back bra has given me the confidence to venture into uncharted waters with my big boobs :p
I don’t like strapless. It makes me feel like a half-squeezed tube of toothpaste.
Yup me too Pengy. I never thought I could wear a strapless dress until I chose my wedding dress!!
omg, I used to be all about the straplessness. Alas, nevermore. It’s just too much of a boobage battle.
And lol@”swimming shoulders turned ex swimming shoulders”
Oh my god. I totally know what you mean. I went wedding dress shopping last weekend wsith my mother and told the nice girl who was helping us I wanted a v-neck, aline dress. I ended up with strapless, something that I never thought was possible since I’m quite endowed up top!!!
After looking at bridal magazines and numerous pictures to find my dress I decided: I don’t want to be like everyone else. I don’t want a strapless, I want a halter top.
It’s with that set of mind that I went shopping for a dress. I tried some strapless but they seemed to make my arms look fatter.
Halter was the way to go, I just liked it.
Well, guess what? My dress, the one I fell in love with and wish Hubby (we’re habing a family wedding) was out of the house so I could try it on again. That dress is strapless. And I love it.
Not I’m not sure it’ll make me buy other strapless dresses, but hey, only time will tell.
I am so confused by the big strapless trend for wedding dresses. I look forward to the day the strapless A-line goes back out of fashion and brides start to look interesting again. (No offence to anyone choosing strapless, I know they can be lovely, it’s just everyone looks the same!)
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Mrs. Penguin, Northern California
Age and Occupation: 27, Weddingbee Editor in Chief
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Engagement Date: January 29, 2007
Wedding Date: June 7, 2008
Blogging Since: September 14, 2007
Venue: Winery in the Gold Country
About Me: I love the Spice Girls, dogs with underbites, bean burritos, making messes, high fives, avoiding showers, crossword puzzles, blogs, weddings, and blogs about weddings!
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