Can a pretty cami work under a party dress? - YouLookFab Forum

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Can a pretty cami work under a party dress?

Joyce B

Veteran

Excuse the ignorance, maybe just asking this question is quite unstylish of my part but I need your help.
This is for DD to wear under her bridesmaid's dress. The bride loves light blue and the wedding is coming up soon. I had posted before and took your suggestions for bras, I have a major order of those coming my way. Also some fashion tape is coming.
I was thinking that maybe she can wear a matching cami? She seems interested in that as she prefers more coverage.
I am enclosing photos of the dress and of some thin strap camis. What do you think? Can that work?
Thank you for any suggestions that may help us out. If you think my idea of a cami is too crazy please say so as well.

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Joyce B

Diana

Veteran

I think a cami will make the overall look more casual, and given that she's a bridesmaid my gut reaction would be that you wouldn't want to do that unless it's a specifically casual wedding. Can the dress be altered in any way to be less revealing? Is there leeway to shorten the shoulder at all? (It is an easy alteration so long as it doesn't make the armhole too high or the dress too short).

The other issue would be that it would be hard to find an exact color match and any mismatch would also casualize things. If you are going to try, I'd recommend a straight horizontal neckline for the cami as you don't want to have to worry about competing necklines.

Joyce B

Veteran

Thank you, Diana. I will see if I can find a straight top cami.
DD is a tall girl, but maybe the straps can be taken in a little bit. I suggested that to her but she is too busy with her studies and will not go to a seamstress. Worse comes to worse I will have to shorten the straps a little. I am not a good seamstress but I will have to manage.
DD lives away from us but will travel home on the evening before the wedding, that will leave us with very little time to get things right.

Anonymous

The dress is lovely. I'm sure your daughter will look beautiful. No suggestions on a camisole though.

Aida

Veteran

My thoughts are the same as Diana's. A little tough with your timeline!

Joyce B

Veteran

Thank you, Sterling and Aida.
Any thoughts on a lace insert that I can perhaps knit, crochet or tat although the latter would take much longer? I think I should learn to sew but it's kind of late for this occasion.

Aida

Veteran

I think that could work, but you may want to check with the bride to see if that's ok since it would change the dress

Traci

Veteran

It's a long shot, but what about something like this? I agree a cami may be too casual, but I also think your daughter's comfort level in not feeling exposed counts a whole big lot!

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Out From Under Katia Lace High Neck Bra

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Joyce B

Veteran

Thanks, Aida, the only thing the bride wanted was the color of the dress, she did not insist on a particular style. I also have to look into lace projects, I hope somebody can suggest one to me...

Joyce B

Veteran

That's pretty, Tracy! I will need to check it out this weekend. I hope they have a good return policy. Thanks for understanding, you put it exactly how it is, as I want to do my best to help my daughter feel comfortable and not too exposed.

Joyce B

Veteran

I am also thinking, worse comes to worse, I can lend her one of my shawls.

Zibbets

Veteran

^Yes, I would suggest something over rather than more coverage under. Perhaps a shawl or a pretty cardi.

Mauvish

joyce, excuse my crudeness but what part of dress is her first priority to cover? Front? Back?

i was thinking more on the lines of a bolero or shrug or as you said, shawl, but if low neckline is bothering her the most then that needs another solution.

I remember being a teenager and feeling extremely aware of any uncovered skin and my mom had to come up with stylish solutions.

Mauvish

oops: double post

Joyce B

Veteran

The front, Mauvish. I was also thinking of a black or a purple shrug as those are what I have but maybe they are totally out of style? I think (hope) that the bras that I ordered will be OK for the back, otherwise I also ordered the thing to lower the bra back that Angie and Diana suggested.
Zibbets, I may need to go with that. Too bad that it's not the right season to find a delicate cardi in light blue...

Joyce B

Veteran

Mauvish, I may need to get your Mom in the conversation

Diana

Veteran

What about buying a pretty piece of lace trim and sewing it into the neckline? Something like this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/2.....ome_feat_4

There's tons of it for sale on etsy, or you may be able to find some at joanns or other fabric stores. I think the lace would look dressy and cpuld be very pretty. I think it might be hard to find a matching color so id probably go for white/ivory or maybe silver if you think white is too "bridal."

Diana

Veteran

I found these as well....
http://www.camibands.com

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Joyce, I do not like the idea of a camisole. It will ruin the dress. Hopefully something in your bra order will work out.

Mauvish

ooohh.. Diana, that lace in etsy link is SO PRETTY!

Mauvish

there are also these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J.....#038;psc=1

they work better when they sewn with the lining of the dress or somehow fixed on fabric (glued perhaps)..otherwise they CAN pop out during activities like dancing etc... .... not that it happened to me

Joyce B

Veteran

Thanks Diana! That lace is nice! A trip to the fabric store is on schedule for this weekend.
Mauvish, that's a great idea! I have some lace weight cashmere in a very light blue, I can knit-up a basic lace cover in that style, maybe that can work.
Angie, thanks for chiming in. I am sure something from the bra order will work out, I got several different sizes in a few styles. DD did not have too many dress choices at this point, otherwise one with a more covered top would have been ideal. It's hard to work with a dress that is out of your comfort zone.

Joyce B

Veteran

Sometimes it's hard to dress the part. If the dress looks good but you feel uncomfortable is not good and if the dress looks maybe not as good but you feel more comfortable that can work better for you. Maybe sometimes you just have to be a notch less stylish ( and I am not saying this about anyone other than my DD and myself). If you have similar experiences I would love to hear about them.
Thanks again to all of you for your advice and very helpful suggestions.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have seen lace tube type tops that cover the bust. I prefer the bra alone but your DD's comfort is important.

I don't know where I saw the lace tube things. Sorry. So hard to do when DD is not around.

Staysfit

Veteran

They sell lace tubes online at Nordstrom. You can get them most anywhere. I forgot what they are called though. There is a better search term for them.

Joyce B

Veteran

Thank you, Style Fan and Staysfit!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Search for "lace bandeau."

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My fingers are crossed, and keep us posted, Joyce.

Joyce B

Veteran

Thanks, Jenn, I searched for lace bandeau and placed an order for several.
Thanks, Angie. I hope something works out nicely. It's going to look like Santa came early once all the orders come in which I hope they do on time.
Today I will go buy light blue thread to see if I can somehow shorten the straps.
I really don't know when she is going to try on all this because she arrives on Sat eve and the wedding is on Sunday at noon, it's going to be a busy evening!
Thank you all for the suggestions.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Might be too late, but a lot of women I know who don't like strappy/strapless/revealing dresses would wear a tight long or 3/4 sleeve, nude-for-them top underneath. I'm pretty used to that look and don't think it's strange, though others might. It offers full coverage and doesn't look obvious in photos.

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