The off-the-shoulder dress has become a classic in the fashion world. It's one of the symbols of elegance and charm because of the aesthetics it brings. It's becoming more and more popular because of how versatile and practical it is. It comes in many styles and designs and you can find a dress for every occasion, from casual coffee dates to classy and elegant wedding and dinner party dresses.
History of the Off-the-Shoulder Dress
This is a dress that was made to make a statement. It has a history filled with elegance and rebellion. It has its roots in the 18th century in Europe where showing off some skin and collarbones was the biggest fashion statement. It was bold and liberating and a huge contrast to the conservative fashion. It was feminine, and graceful and allowed women to express themselves.
In the 20th century, it became iconic, especially in the 1950s when Brigitte Bardot and Audrey Hepburn wore them and made them a staple in every woman’s wardrobe. During the 1980s it became even bolder. Designers started to play with fabrics and cuts and made elegant and casual off-the-shoulder dresses for every occasion.
How to Choose One for Your Body Shape
Hourglass
If your body type is an hourglass, embrace your curves with an off-the-shoulder dress that will hug your curves and accentuate them in the best possible way. Always go for dresses that will accentuate your waistline as the narrowest part of your body. This way you’ll highlight your feminine proportions.
Look for a sweetheart neckline because the curvature it has will mirror your natural curves and add more definition to your body. Structural bodices will look great on you. Also, buying a dress with an open back will make you look elegant and sophisticated. It will balance the coverage you have in the front.
Pear-Shaped
If you have a pear-shaped body, there’s some balancing to do. Look for a dress that will highlight your upper body but cover your hips softly. This will balance your proportions. When it comes to style, A-line skirts and fitted bodices will look most flattering on you because of the symmetry they provide.
Go for off-shoulder horizontal bateau necklines. They'll draw the attention to your upper body. Wider hips look balanced with a straight across-cut neckline with short sleeves or cap sleeves. A strapless dress will also work and the boat neck variation will add definition to your shoulder line (particularly on A-line dresses).
Rectangular
Rectangular-shaped bodies don’t have a lot of curvature. That's why, buying the right off-the-shoulder dress is important. To accentuate your body, look for styles with draping, ruching, or embellishments around the waist and bust. Consider whether your dress would look better with a belt or sash around your waist to accentuate your waist and create an hourglass look.
A sweetheart neckline will look great on you because it’ll add curves. A cowl neck will also be flattering and bring some movement into the picture. You can also go with bell sleeves. They bring volume and shape to your shoulder area. Low backs are perfect for pear-shaped bodies because they create an elegant definition.
Apple
The off-the-shoulder dresses that elongate the torso and highlight the décolletage are a great way for women with apple-shaped bodies. To detract attention from the waist and create a more balanced appearance, look for dresses with sweetheart or V-necklines. Flowy skirts will give you a nice, flattering drape as well. An asymmetric neckline will also work and a deep V-neck will also have an elongating effect.
Inverted Triangle
Having an inverted triangle-shaped body means that you have to balance between the proportions of your shoulders and hips. Choose off-the-shoulder gowns with voluminous skirts or frills because they'll elongate your torso and create a sense of symmetry.
Buy a Good Strapless Bra
One of the main rules about the women's off-the-shoulder dress, is to never wear a bra with straps underneath. Instead, invest in a high-quality strapless bra. They come in several colours but the 3 main ones are black, white and a neutral beige. Many women prefer the neutral option which is often the safest choice. However, choosing the bra’s colour can depend on the dress’s material.
Wear Your Hair Up
One benefit of wearing an off-the-shoulder dress is that it accentuates your shoulders, chest, and neck. That's the main reason you should pull your hair back. You may think there’s a lot of skin showing, but isn’t that the goal of these dresses? Your shoulders and neck will get full exposure and the appreciation they deserve.
To add some soft details to the picture, you can pull down a few pieces of hair. They can frame your face and add more elegance and sophistication to your appearance. Having your hair in curls will add softness to the whole look and a subtle braid can give you some structure. Half-up and half-down hairstyles will also work their magic with off-the-shoulder dresses.
Feel Free to Accessorise
These dresses are a statement of their own. However, accessorising can make them even better. If the dress is very detailed and has more flow in the bottom part, wear a softer, more delicate necklace. If you want to be bold, choose a necklace that complements the dress’s structure.
Less is always more when it comes to earrings and off-the-shoulder dresses. Think about wearing little drop earrings or modest studs. These types of dresses work perfectly with bracelets. They'll add the perfect finishing touch to the whole look. Don't be afraid to experiment and play with the jewellery. Try different combinations and see which ones you like the most.
How to Prevent It from Sliding
One thing that can be very annoying with these dresses is that they can easily slide off the shoulder and come up to your neck. This is an issue many women face. There isn’t a permanent solution to this problem but you can make things easier. The first thing you can try is to buy dresses with thicker elastics because they will stay in place better than thin ones. Sometimes, pulling the dress at the back helps as well. There are some helpful tips and tricks online you can try to see if they work for you.
