Halter tops and dresses - why?! - YouLookFab Forum

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Halter tops and dresses - why?!

catgirl

Veteran

A friend very sweetly gave me this dress for my birthday for Hawai'i:

http://www.rei.com/product/810373

Thankfully she included a gift receipt because I had to exchange it for something else. In order for it to actually hold up my bust, I had to tie it so tight that the knot was pressing into my neck, and then the straps looked ridiculously off and II had a really weird boobage shape. I tried on this one and ordered my size as REI didn't have it in-store - SO much more flattering!

http://www.rei.com/product/795192

I also noticed in the Athleta catalog that a lot of the swimsuits for the larger-busted are halter tops. WHY? They hurt my neck and I don't find them particularly comfortable, modest or flattering.

Thoughts?

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

kellygirl

Veteran

Honestly, I think they are designed for enhanced boobage that is self supporting. Same goes for shelf bras.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think neck surgeons decided to influence that so more people would have pain and need surgery!

In reality ... dunno; I sometimes get neck pain with my little boobs after wearing a halter top. I couldn't imagine having bigger boobs and having to carry that around on my neck all day!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Because the super athletes that shop at REI and Altheta don't have boobs. Crankypants answer.

MsMary

Veteran

About the dress, I can see why she thought it would suit you! I think halter dresses are something that definitely require trying-on.

I acquired a halter bra last summer and it has been fab -- have you tried that? I actually find that the right halter top is very flattering for me, provided I wear a bra with it or it's got some good support. I was kind of surprised, but there you have it. Both of my "dress-up" outfits for my cruise in January were halters and I was pleased with them even though I have quite a bit in the boobage department. Go figure, huh? One thing that's crucial for me is that there is good coverage on the sides and that the armholes aren't too big.

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catgirl

Veteran

Of course, you make everything look fab, Mary. I think part of my issue is that at least the athletic clothes with halters seem to create a "sling" for the boobs, so they end up looking like two day old poached eggs in a ziplock.

Anna, right now I totally agree with your crankypants sentiment.

MsMary

Veteran

Oh, pshaw. Srsly. My point is that they can work but only if they have enough fabric and enough coverage so you can wear your own bra and get some decent support. Otherwise I agree, they're just hopeless for those of us who are chestally gifted.

catgirl

Veteran

So are you wearing a bra with these? I meant it seriously - you can make anything look good!

"Chestally gifted" - you have such a way with words!

MsMary

Veteran

I meant it seriously, too -- pshaw! (Note to self -- brush up on graceful-compliment-acceptance technique.)

I'm wearing a bra with the first one, and the second one amazingly enough had v. good support so I didn't need it. See how it's like a strapless bra under the chiffon layer? I was honestly stunned that the halters were so flattering but it's all about the coverage.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I don't have the most humongous rack in the world, but it's substantial enough to require quite a bit of support (32D), and I have had great success with the halter style. It works especially well for me because I also have a strong, angular shoulder line. The halter shape helps draw the eye toward the middle. From how you describe yourself, I bet it would work for you too. As MaryK says, you need enough fabric, and also the boobs have to be supported separately -- if you have a shelf bra, it smooshes them together into that unflattering uniboob shape.

My best bikini is a halter. It works because the straps are not strings, they're big, thick, cushy ribbons, and the "triangles" cover each breast fully and separately. I also have a fabulous cocktail dress that has similar details (no string, substantial "triangles") and accomplishes the same thing.

MsMary

Veteran

Yep. Big, separate, full-coverage triangles. Now you're talking!!

Steph

Veteran

I think part of the reason that halters are popular in larger-chested swimwear and the like is because it allows for more adjustment than some other styles, so the idea would be that if you pull it tight enough, it will hold you up in a way that a top with non-adjustable straps might not. Having said that, I have had the experience where I feel like I have to pull it so tight it's pushing down on the back of my neck. I have good luck with some halters and horrible luck with others.

I do think you should look into a halter or convertible bra, because I think halters would look good on you with your shoulder line.

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I think that dress is very pretty, but I doubt I'd be able to wear it. I'm chestally gifted too there isn't a lot of leeway with that dress to wear a bra.

Halter bikinis suit me, and halter tops/dresses with enough coverage - coverage is key!

Irene

Veteran

I've done the halter thing once. I don't do it more often because I just don't love my back, but I admit it can work with the right bra. It won't hurt your neck at all, I promise you that.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I also have a couple of halter-style dresses that either work with a strapless bra or provide enough "lock-and-load" that I can wear them without a bra (but it's getting trickier to pull off the braless stunt as I get older :P). It is definitely a style that can be hit or miss, and I agree that it totally depends on coverage. That said, the halter style is often flattering on my body as it tends to draw the eye upward (I will admit, I have a nice chest so I'm okay with accentuating it tastefully).

I have a swimsuit with this cut too -- it's flattering but definitely not for serious swimming.

Unfortunately, I've encountered the painful neck thing too. That is a drawback of sacrificing proper support for the girls. So this is not a style I can wear every day.

Dashrashi

Veteran

Have to chime in here--pet peeve is how the magazines recommend halter top swimsuits for people with large busts. It might be flattering, but it KILLS my neck. Even substantial, thick-"strap"ped, full triangle ones. The knot I have to tie back there digs in and leaves an enormous red mark. Very unsatisfactory.

What I'm looking for this season is something with a very supportive back-band, on the same theory that in a bra that fits correctly, the band is doing 80% of the support (or whatever the ladies at Intimacy tell you). Something like this:

http://www.barenecessities.com.....rch=32DDD#

teri

Veteran

I'm a halter dress fan myself

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Mary and Steph said. The *right* halter top is excellent for a fuller bust. Marilyn Monroe! Your allergy to cleavage Una, will prevent you from liking this look. But there is plenty of other stuff around

Have you had your birthday yet?

Mary looks KILLER.

rae

(website)

Veteran

A couple of my bras can convert from regular to strapless to halter - it really helps with the support since the band part does most of the work and takes pressure off the straps. I know Victoria's Secret doesn't have the best rep on the forum vs. Intimacy, but they make some tops/dresses with underwire bras built in, so that they support you from the band as well.

Liz

I'm definitely not chestally gifted (more like chestally depleted!) and halter ties hurt my neck too. Thicker straps are better but I pretty much avoid the style unless I can't avoid it, like bathing suits.

MsMary

Veteran

I wouldn't wear a halter that tied. Both my halter dresses have hook-and-eye fasteners at the back of the neck. If they didn't fit properly, I'd have them altered so they did.

Heather

Veteran

I like a halter (in the right fabric, etc). I always have to worry about linebacker shoulders and pit meat, though. Those are two areas of concern, but I do own halters and like them very much. I, too, own those VS bras like Rae. I like them.

And, Mary. You DO look WOWZA in a halter dress!

Antje

Veteran

Oh you gals crack me up. Two day old poached eggs in a ziplock, oh my.

I personally like halter styles, and find that a strapless bra works well with them. Come on, let us gals with smaller chests have some fun neckline options! There are plenty of dresses and tops that I put back on the hanger because I don't fill them out, so I welcome a cute halter that works. It's all about options and variety...

catgirl

Veteran

Antje, I guess I meant "Why are they recommended for larger chests?", not "Why do they exist?"! Funny, I feel a large chest is much more restrictive as to what necklines can be worn.

I'd love to find a way to wear a halter. I think Mary's suggestion of not having the knotted straps is really good for me. I just can't bear that pulling on my neck. There are times when even a heavy pendant necklace bothers me.

Thanks all!

rute

Veteran

I have tried in the past.. I even bought and halter bra but like you both, the bra and the top hurt my neck so much..

Kari

Veteran

Mary, you look *amazing* in those dresses. I'm envious.

I have eschewed halter tops from my wardrobe as I have given up on anything that requires me to wear a strapless bra. I haven't been able to find *any* strapless bras that provide decent support in my size. As for a halter bra? That's even more laughable. At a 32G/H these days, I refuse to put up with less than stellar support.

That being said, I like the idea of the *shape* of a halter top for the very reason that Angie mentioned as well as Mary's killer photographic example, but it just is not feasible for my bust size.