To Strap Or Not To Strap? That Is The Question

We have many brides come into the shop, immediately saying they definitely want straps or they definitely don't. For some, though, the decision is harder, and it's all about what looks right with each dress. We try to stock dress with a variety of necklines, with or without straps, but we are able to add straps to any of our dresses. Some lend themselves to a halter, some to one strap, and some to sleeves, and depending on the style, we can order the right fabric for the dress.

Take, for instance, sleeves. Most requests for sleeves are for lace ones, to go with our more vintage styles. We order in a lace that matches the dress if it already has some on; otherwise we can show you plenty of lace samples for you to choose your favourite. However, we can make sleeves from tulle, organza, satin or taffeta, whichever goes best with your dress.

To show you the style of sleeve we can make, here are before and after photographs of our dress Monique. A customer had a winter wedding, and loved this dress. We thought that adding sleeves was a great idea. It looks like two different dresses. Monique can be found on our website here. 

Some people like the idea of sleeves, but don't want them to be there all the time. For these people, we have the jacket. We know what you're thinking, surely jackets are only for winter weddings? well, you thought wrong. We sell jackets all year round, in many different shapes and styles. Many have full length sleeves, some have simple capped sleeves, and others are a back-to-front style, with buttons running up the back. These are brilliant for adding a bit extra to a very plain dress, or customizing a dress to make it unique to you. Then, if you decide halfway through the big day that you're ready to 'let loose and dance', you can take off the jacket and transform your dress! Here are a few that we have in stock, although we can make to order as well.

 This cover-up is exactly that, it has a very high neckline and adds something different to any wedding dress. The button up back and ribbon edged bottom finish it off perfectly, along with the pearl embroidery.

































This jacket is also a button up back, but it has long sleeves, and isn't at all beaded. It's quite a soft and romantic style, perfect for someone looking for a vintage style dress. The lace on this jacket is absolutely stunning, with the sleeves reaching the elbow.

For those who want a sleeve length that is
something in between the two previous styles, then these are the jackets for you. One is in the same design as the others, with a high collar and buttons up the back the other, however, is a bolero. The bolero is a very popular style in our shop, maybe because on the wedding day it is easier to take off, the others take some time to unbutton (a minor problem for the effect achieved)

 The edging on the bolero is particularly detailed and finishes the style off perfectly. It's a personal favourite of ours, but don't tell!





So, we're sure you've seen enough lace jackets to last a life time. Perhaps we should moving on to, as the title of this post suggests, straps (you may think it's a long time coming!). Usually, when deciding what kind of straps to have, we usually advise the customer to look at the neckline of their dress. A sweetheart neckline often lends itself to slightly angled straps, or maybe a halter, a neckline with pleating wants straps that follow the pleat direction. To make lace straps, we order extra lace, cut out the right shape, and usually line it with an organza fabric for the brides comfort. Here are some of the straps we have made before.

 On the left is a thick lace strap with minimal beading. This is to go with a specific dress, the lace matching exactly. The strap on the right is a beaded style stitched onto organza fabric and tapered at each end, the effect is stunning.

Here is an example of when the same strap can be made either as a halter or as two straps. We simply increase the strap length, and make sure - if a halter - fits nicely around the neck so it doesn't stand away.

Left: The front of the strap.
Top right: The strap as a halter neck.
Bottom right: The back of the strap.


We hope we have given you some ideas about your own dress, maybe you've decide a bolero is definitely the way forward, or a halter strap would suit your dresses neckline. Comment below to let us know what you thought of this instalment of Wedding Wednesday, we always love reading your feedback. Until next week.