Good Fabrics for a Strapless Sundress

Shirred sundresses are less structured and formal than boned dresses.

Strapless sundresses are a cool, stylish and wearable choice for summertime, whether you're looking for something casual for the beach or a playful dress for an evening on the town. Strapless dresses do pose some challenges, as the wrong fabric may sag or droop. In the right fabric, a strapless sundress will show off your bust and shoulders, create a curvy hourglass shape and let you relax and enjoy your summer day or evening.

Shirred All-Around Sundresses

Shirred sundresses use elastic thread to shirr or smock the bodice of the dress. These strapless sundresses are soft, casual and comfortable. Shirring requires a lightweight fabric that gathers well, but can be made in either a knit or woven. Cotton and cotton blends are the best choice for lightweight shirred dresses. These dresses offer little bust support or structure.

Smocked-Back Strapless Dresses

Some strapless sundresses feature a fitted front bodice with a shirred or smocked back. The shirring provides a snug fit, while the fitted front bodice creates a smooth and polished look that works for both casual and dressier situations. Choose light- to mid-weight woven fabrics, including cotton, poly-cotton blends or rayon for a smocked-back sundress. Some shirred-back dresses include boning or lining for additional bust support in the front of the dress.

Boned Strapless Dresses

A fully fitted boned sundress offers bust support and shaping with flexible nylon boning in the sides and front. These dresses must fit quite closely and should be made of a woven, non-stretch, light- to mid-weight fabric. Cotton and cotton blends are appropriate for day wear, but the same styles may be made in silk or satin for evening wear. A small amount of spandex included in a stretch cotton or satin may provide a slightly more forgiving fit. The bodice must be fully lined to accommodate boning in the seams.

Prints and Patterns

While the weight and weave of the fabric is the first priority when choosing a fabric for strapless sundresses, print and pattern are also factors to consider. Sundresses can be made in large- or small-scale prints; however, matching large-scale patterns or stripes is challenging, and you may not be happy with misaligned prints. Smaller prints may be more forgiving, particularly in a very structured strapless dress.

References

• Blog for Better Sewing: Picking Out Dress Fabrics
• Oprah: How to Wear a Strapless Dress