The Secret to Wearing a One Shoulder Summer Dress
Do you love a flowy, romantic, one-shoulder summer dress, but have every excuse in the book not to wear one?
That was me. I figured a one-shoulder dress would make my arms look bad and leave me feeling chilly. What kind of bra would I wear that was both comfortable and supportive? Where would I wear one with a one-shoulder design? And wasn’t I too old for this style anyway?
Well, that turned out to be pretty crazy thinking!
Style Snapshot
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Try the silhouette at home and style it with playful accessories to make it feel like you.
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Wear a supportive strapless bra like Wacoal Red Carpet and bring a light wrap for comfort.
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Stop worrying about arms because the asymmetry draws eyes to your face and the dress suits dinners, showers, and vacations.
I was stuck in a silly style rut, but once I decided to take a chance with this long, one-shoulder summer maxi dress, I was pleasantly surprised!
Here are the secrets I learned about wearing a dress like this with confidence.
Just Try It On!
You may think you know what suits you, but you really don’t until you try it on. The beauty of online shopping is that you can order a dress, slip it on in the privacy of your own home, and try it on without pressure. I was curious about this pretty, one-shoulder casual maxi dress from Amazon and figured, why not? It was easy enough to return.
I find that it can sometimes take a few tries to get used to a new style, and when you are at home, you can experiment with accessories to see if you can create something that really suits you.
Buy a Good Strapless Bra
This is the biggie. I put off buying one-shoulder and off-the-shoulder styles for years because I couldn’t find a bra that felt comfortable and stayed in place. I grew tired of looking and gave up. A few times, I tried tucking in my bra straps, but that only worked for about 15 minutes before I started tugging away, so I mostly avoided any style that showed my shoulders.
Determined to move past this, I conducted some research and found a fantastic strapless bra that I’m thrilled with. It’s the Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Bra, and it works like a charm to hold you up comfortably, giving you real support and a natural shape.
Forget about Your Arms
Please don’t fret about the look of your arms; no one else is. When the dress looks beautiful on you, that’s all people see. They aren’t looking at a bit of crepey skin or bat wings because, no surprise, everyone has them at our age, even if you are fit. Additionally, the way a one-shoulder dress is cut to swoop up at one side draws the eye upward, pulling away from your arms and towards your beautiful face.
When feeling cold in a one-shoulder summer dress, consider bringing a wrap or sweater. I don’t know why this was hanging me up. It’s no big deal.
Buy the Dress, and the Occasion Will Come
When you love a piece of clothing that feels authentic to you, you will find a place and reason to wear it. Boho maxis like this are so popular that you can wear them to dinner, a baby shower, a pool party, a family BBQ, a wine tasting, or on vacation.
Own the Look!
Have fun with a one-shoulder casual maxi dress. Add playful accessories, such as dangly rattan earrings, a hat, a straw belt, and a straw bag. This is not a work dress. Keep it light. Own the look!
shop the look
QUICK Q&A
Not at all! One-shoulder dresses are timeless and flattering at any age. The asymmetrical cut draws the eye upward toward your face, making it a chic and elegant option.
A supportive strapless bra is the best choice. The Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Bra is highly recommended for comfort, support, and a natural shape that stays in place.
One-shoulder maxi dresses work well for casual and semi-dressy events like dinners, baby showers, pool parties, BBQs, vacations, or wine tastings. Just add accessories that fit the mood—boho pieces for casual, or delicate jewelry for a dressier look.
Don’t worry—most people aren’t focused on your arms. The one-shoulder cut naturally draws attention upward. If you’re chilly or want extra coverage, bring along a light wrap or cardigan.
Playful, summery accessories work best—think rattan earrings, straw bags, woven belts, hats, or strappy sandals. Keep the vibe light and fun, since this style is not meant for formal workwear.
