Strapless Dresses: 8 Structured Designer Styles That Stay Put
Strapless Dresses: 8 Structured Designer Styles That Stay Put
The short answer: a strapless dress stays up because of what is inside it: a boned bodice, a firm lining and a neckline cut to sit against the body. For an evening, our first pick is the Venus Gown in Black by Rebecca Vallance, a strapless column gown with a custom diamante embellished bow. For a party, choose the Cambridge Mini Dress in Gold, a strapless sequin mini with an A-line skirt. The brand files eight pieces on Coveti in its own Strapless Dresses edit. See every style in designer dresses and evening gowns.
Strapless is the most flattering neckline for showing off the shoulders and collarbones, and the most anxious one to wear. The fix is engineering. A well made strapless dress carries the weight on the waist and ribs, not the bust, so you never need to hitch it up. Rebecca Vallance builds internal boning into most of its fitted bodices, which is why its strapless pieces hold their line.
Strapless dresses at a glance
| Occasion | Our pick | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Black tie | Venus Gown in Black | Column gown, diamante bow |
| Black tie, colour | Windermere Gown | Strapless V neckline, boned bodice, sapphire |
| Holiday party | Cambridge Mini Dress in Gold | Sequin mini, A-line skirt |
| Cocktail | Kensington Midi Dress | Curved neckline, boned cotton bodice |
| Party, playful | Imogen Mini Dress in Black | Oversized bow with diamante trim |
Our picks
1. Venus Gown in Black
A strapless column gown in a polyester and acetate blend with a custom diamante embellished bow. Clean, formal and very easy to accessorise.
2. Venus Gown in Gold
The same gown in gold. For a gala, a winter wedding and anywhere you want to be found across the room.
3. Windermere Gown
Sapphire, in polyester with silk, with a strapless V neckline, a boned bodice and a skirt overlay. The most dramatic gown here.
4. Glimmer Gown
Liquid sequins and diamante in chocolate, with custom hand made trims and a strapless neckline. A strapless gown for a black tie night.
5. Kensington Midi Dress
Black stretch cotton with a strapless curved neckline, a boned bodice and a pencil midi skirt. The sharpest strapless midi we stock.
6. Cambridge Mini Dress in Gold
Gold sequins, a strapless neckline and an A-line mini. The party dress of the season.
7. Cambridge Mini Dress in Blue Topaz
The same sequin mini in blue topaz, if gold is too much.
8. Imogen Mini Dress in Black
Black, strapless, with an A-line skirt and an oversized bow edged in diamante. Fun, and it stays put.
How to make a strapless dress stay up
Buy the right size at the ribs. The bodice should be snug around the rib cage, since that is what holds it. If it fits the bust but is loose at the ribs, it will slip.
Look for boning and a lining. Internal boning keeps the neckline upright. Every bodice in this edit is lined, and most are boned.
Choose the right bra. A strapless bra with a silicone grip at the top and back is best. With a well boned bodice, some women go without.
Keep a wrap for the ceremony. Some churches and some formal enclosures expect covered shoulders. A cape, such as the Cambridge Cape in Blue Topaz, solves it. Read our cape gowns guide.
A note on size: Rebecca Vallance says its dresses fit true to size, and AU sizing matches UK sizing. Our size guide has the chart.
Frequently asked questions
How do you keep a strapless dress from falling down?
Choose a dress with a boned, lined bodice that fits snugly at the rib cage, and wear a strapless bra with a silicone grip. The dress should be held by the waist and ribs, not the bust.
Can you wear a strapless dress to a wedding?
Yes, at most evening and black tie weddings. For a church ceremony, bring something to cover the shoulders, such as a wrap, a cape, a cropped jacket.
Are strapless dresses flattering?
A strapless neckline shows off the shoulders, collarbones and neck, so it flatters most women. A sweetheart neckline, which curves over the bust, is the softest version. See our sweetheart neckline dresses guide.
Can you wear a strapless dress to Royal Ascot?
Not in the Royal Enclosure, where strapless dresses are not permitted. Read our dresses for the races guide for race day rules.
For more, see our embellished mini dresses edit, the Rebecca Vallance gowns guide and black tie dresses.
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