Note to self: invite a bra with clear straps that won’t show up shiny in photos.
“Invent”? ^^
Oops. Bad typing combined w/spellcheck. Yes, invent and then I’ll invite you all to buy it. 
I like a bra that matches the lace, so that the straps show intentionally and look like part of the design.
Yes, built in or matching lace sounds good to me.
The built in bra was nowhere near enough support for me. I bought a strapless and used clear straps that I bought separately. They did not show up in the photos, which were mostly taken outside in the shade. The nude straps were not the same color as my skin (I am very pale and freckled) and I could see them through the lace. I think it would be hard to find a french coral bra that would match the lace. The color difference would bother me.
Yes, the amount of suppport each of us needs varies widely. My D is fine with a camisole while that would never work for me. Glad the straps were fine for you. It is good to have some sample photos in similar settings to be sure you aren’t unhappy with how things appear, if it matters.
@HImom that’s exactly what we did! I put on the dress, looked at it at different angles in the mirror, and went outside to take different photos. I wanted to be sure I liked the look.
Yes, it’s important to be happy and confident rather than feeling uncomfortable and concerned about our appearance at important, happy events like weddings.
I guess this is related…in my opinion…having a good comfortable and supportive strapless bra is an essential in my lingerie drawer. If you have a gorgeous dress that needs no straps showing…go get fitted for a great and comfortable strapless.
Has anyone ever used Rent the Runway?
I was in Lord & Taylor last week and a young woman browsing next to me said she has used them. I just looked at their website and the dresses (some of them, anyway) are awesome. In fact, I tried to find one of the dresses from Rent the Runway on the designer’s site, but it must be last year’s.
For this particular dress, I read the reviews, saw lots of pictures, and really like it. But what if that’s what I count on wearing and, when it arrives, there’s a problem with it??!!
Assuming that you can find one in your size.
I’m a 46DD. I’ve tried on strapless bras, but the words I would use to describe them would never include “comfortable.” “Torture device” would be closer.
This consideration eliminated about half of the dresses that I might otherwise have considered buying for my daughter’s wedding.
@VeryHappy, D uses RTR often and always uses the “backup dress” option. One time she liked the backup better than the one she ordered. She has learned what sizes she takes in a number of the designers they carry and always reads the reviews. She enjoys being able to wear dresses she could not afford to buy and not repeating dresses.
A couple years ago, a UPS fail due to bad December weather in the NE meant her order did not arrive in time, so I’d recommend having something workable on hand just in case.
^^^That’s what I figured. I have two possibilities coming today from Nordstrom and they have the most generous return policy ever, so I might keep one of them and plan on renting another dress. If I have to, I’d wear the one from Nordie’s; if not, I’d return it.
@Marian, have you tried Nordstrom? I am a 36H, but their fitters almost always manage to find something that works for me.
More than 90% of support provided by a bra should come from the band. Straps are there to keep the band from moving around the chest and to add extra embellishments. Do a little experiment - put your everyday bra on - without the straps. If it feels uncomfortable, it is not the right size/style for your body. Time to go bra shopping! I would try a lingerie boutique for fitting.
One of these days someone on CC is going to open up an online bra support/distributor for CC’ers - I just know it!!!
I’ve never found a great strapless bra either but rarely wear anything that needs it either, so I haven’t invested all that much time in the search.
I think for folks who are more generously endowed, strapless styles generally aren’t that great an idea anyway. The only bra boutique in our state doesn’t have much in my size.
I’m not generously endowed and I’ve never found a strapless bra that works for me. My shaped breast don’t conform to the shape that most strapless are made for. I don’t spend a lot of thought on it because I don’t like my back so rarely wear anything that needs a strapless.
I agree that the dress is lovely.
I know folks who have used Rent the Runway…and LOVED it.
Totally worth trying!!