Can You Get Straps Added or Changed on a Wedding Gown?

Strapless gowns are dramatic but they're not for everyone.

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and the thought you put into your wedding dress should reflect that. Many wedding gowns are sleeveless, which can be beautiful but is not suitable for everyone. Or perhaps you've inherited a wedding gown but can't deal with the sleeves or are wearing it in a warmer season than it was originally intended for. You can change it but if you are not a proficient seamstress you should take your dress to be altered by a professional.

Adding Straps

This should be a fairly easy task to accomplish. Not only are strapless gowns unflattering on many people, they have the logistical difficulty of being more prone to slipping down. They also must be worn with a strapless bra, which is not always ideal. Straps should solve this problem. Try tiny spaghetti straps, which are often attractive in sets of two. Thicker straps are also easily sewn on and can be faced with a material matching the dress or a complementary antique lace or ribbon.

Strapless Gown

There's no denying the drama and visual power of a beautiful strapless gown. In order to take the straps off, though, you have to be sure the dress will stay up without them. This may entail tailoring the dress to make it fit more exactly, adding sticky plastic to the inside, or adding boning.

Changing Strap Styles

This is a useful option if you just do not like the straps on your dress or if they cause the dress to fit awkwardly. For instance, straps that constantly slip off can be made to fit better by shortening them or removing them and replacing them further in toward the middle. If you want new straps that match your dress exactly but can't find them, consider having straps in a complementary color, such as yellow or light blue. You can add matching trim as well.

Sleeves

Although wedding gowns with sleeves have fallen a bit out of fashion, they are a good option if the sleeveless gown isn't working for you or for a winter wedding. A sleeveless gown can have sleeves added to it. Off-the-shoulder and cap sleeves are two good options.

References

• Ribbons and Pearls: Wedding Dress Style Guide