Strapless dress

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A strapless dress or top stays up without shoulder straps. It usually uses a built-in support like a corset or a special bra to keep it in place.

Origins and early popularity: The modern strapless look appeared in the 1930s, helped by designers like Mainbocher and later Christian Dior. Libby Holman is often noted as one of the first famous wearers in 1930. A notable early strapless gown was made by Mainbocher in 1934. Brenda Frazier helped make the style popular after her debut and a Life magazine cover in 1938.

Postwar popularity and examples: The style remained popular after World War II and was sometimes called the “naked look.” Rita Hayworth’s black satin dress in the movie Gilda showed that a strapless dress could be worn while dancing. Some people preferred to add straps for more modesty.

Modesty debates and rules: The strapless look met criticism from those who thought it was too immodest. In the 1940s and 1950s, some Catholic groups campaigned against revealing clothing. In 1954, the U.S. Army restricted strapless dresses for Army wives in Germany in certain settings.

Designers and evolution: In the 1950s, designers like Madame Grès created flowing strapless gowns with built-in support. In the 1970s, Halston popularized an unstructured strapless style. By the 1980s, stretchy fabrics let dresses be strapless without heavy boning.

Bridal trend and modern use: By 2012, strapless was the most requested style for Western wedding dresses. Vera Wang is sometimes credited with popularizing strapless bridal gowns in the 2000s, though the look grew in popularity from the 1990s with more civil weddings.

Context and rules today: Strapless dresses are common on red carpets but can clash with dress codes. Many schools and workplaces have restrictions, and some surveys have found people think strapless tops are not appropriate for the office. Some religious groups have condemned strapless clothing, and in many religious settings, shoulders may need to be covered.

Bottom line: Strapless dresses are a long-standing fashion choice known for a sleek look, but they aren’t always suitable for every setting due to modesty, rules, and personal beliefs.