Strapless Dress: Definition, Meaning, and Style Tips

Meaning 1：strapless dress (Strapless dress)

Strapless dress 🔊

/ˈstræpləs drɛs/

A dress without shoulder straps, usually held up by a tight-fitting bodice.

strapless dress 🔊

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/ˈstræpləs drɛs/

A dress worn without shoulder straps, typically supported by a fitted bodice or boning to stay in place.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combines 'strap' (a strip of material) + '-less' (without) + 'dress' (garment). Describes a dress without shoulder straps.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a dress that stays up by itself—no straps needed—like magic! Think 'strap-less' = 'strap missing.'

📖 Example

For her graduation party, Mia chose a simple but elegant strapless dress in pale blue. 🔊 For her graduation party, Mia chose a simple but elegant strapless dress in pale blue.

🔗 Collocations

wear a strapless dress – to put on a dress without straps

elegant strapless dress – a formal strapless dress often made of silk or satin

strapless evening gown – a long, formal strapless dress for evening occasions

🔄 Synonyms

tube dress (n.) – A tight, strapless dress that hugs the body, often without a separate bodice

bandeau dress (n.) – A dress with a bandeau top (a strapless tube-shaped top) as its upper part

🚫 Antonyms

dress with straps (n.) – Any dress that includes shoulder straps for support

halter dress (n.) – A dress with a neck strap that ties behind the neck, contrasting with strapless style

📖 Cultural Story

Popularized in the 1940s by designers like Christian Dior, the strapless dress became a staple of formal evening wear, symbolizing elegance and freedom of movement.