Not Strapless.

Not Strapless.

November 14th, 2010 @ 11:15 am by Mrs. Prairie Dog
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Some days, I feel like the only bride on the planet who wants sleeves on her wedding gown for non-religious reasons.

I do have a reason—I have several—but people don’t seem to understand any of them. Strapless dresses just aren’t my style—never have been, never will be. I’m 5’4″ with an…immodest…bustline and a sense of modesty that is anachronistic to my generation.

Suffice it to say that strapless dresses don’t work on me. Since I’m painfully self-conscious about my chest, I tug at strapless dresses, I slouch in them, I feel restricted because they have to be tight enough through my torso to keep my chest in. If I stand up as straight as I should in them, it looks like I’m sticking my chest out, hereby making me and my stupid chest look, in fact, stupid.

It doesn’t make sense to me that I’d choose a style that doesn’t jive with my body shape and sense of style even if it is the dominant trend. Like I said: I know what works for my body, and I don’t think that’s crazy.

Yet, when I say I want sleeves, people act like I’m saying I want to wear a nun’s habit down the aisle. Their eyebrows furrow as if they are imaging some full-blown, 1980s poufy-sleeved dress. Or a full-sleeved, lacy ’70s number. One bridal consultant eked out this response: “I’m sorry, I’m trying to understand. You’re saying you want a dress that has sleeves.” Yes, and a wimple instead of a veil! Come on.

So, to the other be-sleeved brides: you are not crazy. In fact, I noticed quite a few sleeved dresses in Pengy’s Bridal Market post. Maybe the style is making a comeback! If not, take comfort in this ode I have created, to the sleeved dress:

(Oscar de la Renta)

(Priscilla of Boston)

(Vera Wang)

(Kitty Chen)

One look at the last dress, and I’m humming this opening sequence. You know the one.

MARRY ME COLIN FIRTH AS MR. DARCY.

Um…what were we talking about? Dresses? Oh yeah.

Please tell me other “no strapless” brides are out there. I can’t be the only one, right? I’d love to see what you’ve chosen…

Tags: cincinnati, wedding-dress |

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102 Responses to “Not Strapless.”

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Member

SpicedWine (message) 26 posts, Newbee

I chose a lovely Marisa v-neck dress. My husband said he was SO HAPPY that I did not get a strapless dress. It was very difficult to find the one I loved. Actually of the past 5 weddings I’ve been to (inc mine), 4 of the 5 dresses had straps!

11/14/10 @ 11:20 am (reply)

Member

MsTerrapin (message) 609 posts, Busy bee

I also am not a big fan of strapless, but for the opposite reason. I am tall with a very small chest and broad shoulders and strapless things tend to make me look boxy and wide. My dress had small lace cap sleeves and a square neckline– perfect for me.
Also, LOVE that last dress– totally Pride and Prejudice!

11/14/10 @ 11:29 am (reply)

Member

daniellealys (message) 4,290 posts, Honey bee

I am also I sleeved bride! Since it is almost impossible to find sleeved dresses these days, I bought a sleeveless and added my own sleeves It turned out great. I also have a very very large chest so strapless/sleeves was not an option for me either. My husband was also very pleased that I did not wear a strapless dress. Although we had a religious ceremony, it was not religion that made me want to have sleeves. Strapless/sleeveless just does not work for me body! So, Miss Praire Dog…to answer your question, NO, you are not the only bride who wants sleeves/straps on your dress and you are not crazy! Good luck in your search for you dress. You are going to look classic, elegant and beautiful!

11/14/10 @ 11:33 am (reply)

Member

Amelia417 (message) 123 posts, Blushing bee

I am still on the hunt for a sleeved dress. I am just not comfortable with my arms and would LOVE to cover them up. I just feel like I don’t have enough clothes on too. I haven’t liked any of the dresses that are available where I am, and so I am thinking of getting a strapless dress and a lace jacket. It is the short little jacket I am talking about. I have found some beautiful lace ones and other fabric, and they do the just just as well.

11/14/10 @ 11:41 am (reply)

Member

TLH21 (message) 289 posts, Helper bee

I haven’t found my perfect dress yet but decided well in advance no strapless because of twins and my tats…a lil modesty never hurt, plus there are alot of nice dresses out there that arent strapless and look freakin awesome

11/14/10 @ 11:43 am (reply)

Guest

popcorn610

I’m totally with your sentiment about strapless dresses. While strapless looks fine on me, I’m no lemming. I wanted a dress that stands out. My dress has straps, which really gives the dress a old hollywood elegance. My sister got married two years ago and she bought a dress that had lace cap sleeves. Your not alone! We hear you sister!

11/14/10 @ 11:46 am (reply)

Member

aleshia.marie (message) 4 posts, Wannabee

I went into the store not wanting a strapless dress at all. I had not particular reason, I just do not want to wear one on my wedding day. I left with an amazing v-neck dress with wide straps! It’s perfect for me and NOT strapless

11/14/10 @ 11:51 am (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Labrador (message) 1,805 posts, Buzzing bee

I didn’t have sleeves, but did have a v-neck. It’s the first thing people point out when they see my dress. “It’s so unique and NOT strapless!”

All of those dresses are so pretty. The de la Renta is divine!

11/14/10 @ 11:53 am (reply)

Member

MsMamaBear (message) 3,255 posts, Sugar bee

Not a bride yet, but I love dresses with sleeves. I LOVE that Pricilla of Boston there! I’ll robably get a strapless with a bolero though.

11/14/10 @ 11:55 am (reply)

10.

Member

MissCarolyn (message) 65 posts, Worker bee

I’m with you 100%! I’ve never been a fan of sleeveless dresses for the same, um, ample reason. I haven’t been dress shopping yet, but I’ve been focusing my search on dresses with sleeves. I’m curious to see how the shopping goes… and to see what you pick as well!

11/14/10 @ 11:57 am (reply)

11.

Member

mightywombat (message) 3,311 posts, Sugar bee

I am not a fan of strapless dresses. They simply don’t suit me and I absolutely don’t want to be tugging my dress up all night. My dress will have straps (not sleeves, though).

11/14/10 @ 11:58 am (reply)

12.

Member

Belle2Be (message) 2,007 posts, Buzzing bee

Not that you have to have a love for strapless dresses, but there ARE strapless wedding gowns out there that don’t make you tug and have to have perfect posture It depends on the materials and quality of the dress (IE you’re probably not going to find one at Davids Bridal that is going to have a good fit), but they are out there! (Says the size 2 girl with a D bust).

11/14/10 @ 12:00 pm (reply)

13.

Member

Jenniphyr (message) 2,637 posts, Sugar bee

I want sleeves, too! (Also for non-religious reasons. I’m very short, fairly busty, and I have a paralyzing fear that my boobs would either pop out the top or the dress would slide down.)

Most of the dresses I’ve been finding in my price range (<$500CDN, preferrably <$100CDN) are “temple-ready” dresses that are quite frumpy, though, not the lovely samples above. : (

I may end up using the services of a seamstress, or just buying a damn prom dress from Sears.

11/14/10 @ 12:03 pm (reply)

14.

Member

nelle.ombre (message) 3 posts, Wannabee

I am like you in the respect that I have an immodest bust line and strapless just doesn’t work for me. I have all the same issues and feelings when wearing strapless gowns. I chose a dress with straps and let me tell you, I would never go back. the small detail that the sleeves bring just enhances my dress. I know people look at you like you’re crazy. I had the same looks, but those same people saw me in the dress with sleeves, they lit up. So, in all honesty, GO FOR IT! Own those sleeves! You are not alone!

11/14/10 @ 12:04 pm (reply)

15.

Member

SerenaSF (message) 661 posts, Busy bee

I’m actually a strapless bride, but i love love love the sleeved dress this bride wore! http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/10/weekly-wrap-up-catherine-eriks-wedding.html

11/14/10 @ 12:05 pm (reply)

16.

Member

October2010Bride (message) 335 posts, Helper bee

Glad to see so many great non-strapless options. When I was gown shopping, one bridal consultant told me that by wanting sleeves, I had narrowed down my gown choices to less than 5% of all the options out there.

I found this gown with sleeves online and traced it to a store in Southern California that carried the line. Then I bought it without trying it on. Thank goodness I loved it!

http://www.moderntrousseau.com/popups/jenni.html

11/14/10 @ 12:05 pm (reply)

17.

Member

feministbride (message) 283 posts, Helper bee

Lady, I am with you. I’ve never felt that strapless was the best look on me, but I do love a good v-neck. I willing to look at strapless dresses…. but only after I try on every v-neck or cap sleeve dress the salon has

11/14/10 @ 12:05 pm (reply)

18.

Guest

Kristen

The church I’m getting married at dictated a dress code- no strapless dresses allow. Very odd if you ask me. That was fine with me though because strapless dresses are not very flattering of me. I have a small chest and broad shoulders from lifting/swimming. Sleeves are just more flattering! I found a v-neck cut dress that is very flattering of the chest area

11/14/10 @ 12:09 pm (reply)

19.

Bee

Mrs. Star (message) 2,057 posts, Buzzing bee

I loved the off-the-shoulder sleeves on my dress. Can’t wait to see yours!

11/14/10 @ 12:18 pm (reply)

20.

Member

froggy518 (message) 268 posts, Helper bee

Three cheers for straps!

My dress doesn’t have sleeves, but it has beautiful (thick!) straps, and I love it! Of course, it was ridiculously difficult to find a decent selection of dresses that weren’t strapless.

Besides just feeling more comfortable overall in dresses with straps, I pretty much have the chest of a 12-year-old boy, so the fit-factor definitely was an issue.

I can’t wait to see what you end/have ended up with, Miss Prairie Dog! Those inspiration pics you posted are gorgeous (of course), and I’m sure your dress is/will be beautiful as well.

11/14/10 @ 12:23 pm (reply)

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