Casual Strapless Dresses

Tips for Wearing Strapless Dresses in Cold Weather

Strapless dresses, whether they are elegant formals or flirtatious summer frocks, are typically some of the favorite items in a woman's wardrobe. Many women lament the onset of fall, thinking that it means the end of the season for their strapless dresses. However, many strapless dresses can be combined with other items of clothing to create entirely new looks that are appropriate for winter wear. This guide will provide some tips for wearing strapless formal, semi-formal, and casual dresses during the coldest months of the year.

Formal and Semi-Formal Strapless Dresses

Many formal gowns or dresses are strapless or include narrow straps that provide little coverage for the wearer's shoulders, arms, and neck. Even during the summer, the evenings can be chilly, but during the fall and winter, the temperature drops. Women may be walking through freezing cold, possibly with an added chill factor from rain, snow, wind, or fog.

Women who plan to wear a strapless dress to an evening performance or party during the winter may be able to have their significant other, their date, or a friend drop them off at the door of the home, hotel, or performance hall. There may also be valet parking at the venue, in which case the amount of time spent in the cold air and among the elements will be greatly lessened. However, if being dropped off at the door is not an option, women will certainly need some coverage for their arms and shoulders. Wraps or coats are ideal for this purpose.

Fur Wraps or Stoles

Fur or faux fur wraps are an excellent way to turn a strapless formal into an ideal winter gown. Fur warms the neck and shoulders and gives an air of luxury to an entire ensemble. Women who live in areas with bitterly cold winters may want to opt for a fur wrap to go with their strapless evening gowns. However, women should remember that a longer, thinner fur piece, such as a stole, will provide less coverage and may get in the way as they are trying to eat, drink, or dance. A thicker, wider wrap will likely be more manageable.

Furs typically come in shades of gray, black, brown, or white. These colors go well with many colors and styles of strapless evening gowns. If buyers are not sure whether a particular fur wrap goes with their dress, they should ask a fashion-savvy friend or meet with an image consultant before investing in the fur.

Fur wraps should be evenly draped around the shoulders or the upper arms, with the ends falling evenly. Some wraps come with clasps that the wearer can use to securely fasten them. A fur wrap or stole should never be allowed to drag on the floor. If the room becomes too warm, the wrap can be laid aside or left in the coatroom of the venue, to be reclaimed later when the wearer is ready to leave the event and face the cold again.