Shopping for a supportive wedding dress that will hold everything in? If you are a newly engaged bride who is beginning to shop for your wedding dress, you might be wondering what the most supportive style of bridal gown will be to wear on wedding day. The most common style of wedding dress will have a zipper closure on the back, but there are also bridal dresses with corset or lace up back closures. You might be wondering what the difference between a corset and a zipper is and which is best to choose for your wedding dress.
Follow our expert bridal fashion advice to learn everything you need to know about the difference between a lace-up or corset-back wedding dress versus a zipper wedding dress. We are sharing the the pros and cons to each style of dress and all the things to consider when selecting your wedding dress.
Video: Corset Vs Zipper Wedding Dresses: Which is Best?
If you are a bride who is wedding dress shopping and is looking for the most supportive style of wedding dress, be sure to watch our advice video all about corset versus zipper wedding dresses.
Zipper Wedding Dresses
The most common type of closure on a wedding dress is going to be a zipper along the back. A zipper is a little more practical and certainly quicker for getting in and out of your wedding dress.
When you go try on bridal dresses, the majority of those dresses will have a zipper back for the ease of trying them on. Some of these dresses may be offered with a corset back closure, but bridal stores will typically order their inventory with the zipper closure as it’s quicker and easier for brides trying on numerous dresses during their appointments.
Corset Back Wedding Dresses
When it comes to corset wedding dresses, you might immediately think of Victorian style dresses with corset bodices. You will certainly see wedding dresses with corset bodices as it’s a flattering silhouette for brides of any size. But in this case we are talking about a corset back wedding dress which could also be called a lace up wedding dress. Either term is fine, it’s just a dress that laces up the back to hold the bride in.
A corset back or lace up wedding dress is going to take more time to put on. You have to be a bit meticulous when lacing up the bodice of a corset wedding dress, being sure to pull the laces taut so they lay flat and everything is tight as you continue tying. This process is similar to adding new laces to your sneakers. You have to take your time to make sure each section is even and tight.
Wedding Dress Support
At Lovella, we often have brides tell us they want to feel secure and supported in their wedding dress. This is a crucial element as you are going to be in your wedding dress all day long and dancing the night away. You don’t want to have to worry about your dress slipping down or having a wardrobe malfunction.
When it comes to having support from your wedding dress, the beauty of a lace up or corset wedding dress is that you can adjust throughout the wedding day. If you gain some weight or are bloated on wedding day or you just feel your dress expanding on wedding day, you can tighten or loosen the corset laces as needed to adjust the support. Just like your favorite pair of jeans can feel more snug in the morning or certain times you wear them, your wedding dress is going to expand and move with you throughout wedding day. Your wedding dress is going to expand with your body heat as you move through the day so you might find that you need to loosen the ties during the wedding reception.
Wedding dresses with zippers need to be altered to be perfectly snug for you on wedding day. Oftentimes brides feel like the dress might be a little too snug, but you do want it to be a little bit too tight when you leave your seamstress, only because they do expand throughout the day. Of course, listen to your body and go with what you feel is the most comfortable, you still need to be able to breathe. But keep in mind that if your wedding dress is a little bit loose to start off on wedding day, it's only going to get looser as the the day goes on.
One tip for any of our brides who may be pregnant, a corset back wedding dress is a great option as you can adjust and give yourself a bit more breathing room as your belly expands.
In terms of support, one can argue that a corset back could potentially be more supportive because you have the ability to adjust the tightness or even loosen it to your comfort level. For even more tips on feeling supported in your wedding dress, be sure to read our blog post all about the truth about strapless wedding dresses.
Wedding Dress Malfunctions
It may seem very simple to zip up a wedding dress, but we always tell our brides to make sure time and care is taken when they are zipped into their wedding dress on wedding morning. We’ve all been there when we’re in a hurry and zipped up a hoodie or pants and the zipper got stuck or the teeth misaligned. You don’t want this to happen on wedding day - no bride needs to worry about a zipper getting stuck or splitting and then you have a wardrobe malfunction to troubleshoot when you should be focused on marrying your person.
Before your wedding day, be sure to watch our video that demonstrates how to properly zip up a wedding dress.
Corset back wedding dresses can also experience malfunctions. The fabric ties will be going through loops and there is a chance those loops can rip or seams can be torn if they are being pulled too tight. There is not one style of wedding dress that can prevent malfunctions more than another, so no matter what style you choose, be sure to take your time when putting on your wedding dress on wedding morning.
Other Options
In the end, it’s really up to you your body proportions, your comfort level, and really what you want to do with your wedding dress. There are so many possibilities here, it's just completely up to your personal preference. You could have hidden loops added to your dress that would allow you to switch from a zipper to a lace up back so you can change the support level through the wedding day. Or you could have a zipper put in just to your natural waistline and then a smaller corset lace up back for the remaining back of the dress.
If you are wanting the most support, you could opt for a zipper and a corset lace up back to give you double security. Just be sure to express your needs to your bridal consultant so they can tell you what might be possible with your particular wedding dress.
One last tip when it comes to being supported in your wedding dress is to consider straps. A strap, even a detachable one that you add for the wedding reception, is going to help so much in terms of comfort and functionality. A strap will help carry the weight of your wedding dress and distribute the weight off your waistline a bit. Adding a strap can also give you the security of knowing your dress won’t slip down if it does expand a lot on wedding day. It can be a good backup and peace of mind for brides to have the option of a strap, even if you never use it on wedding day.
More Helpful Wedding Dress Shopping Advice
We hope you have found this advice helpful when it comes to knowing the pros and cons to both corset and zipper wedding dresses. For even more helpful advice when it comes to shopping for your dream wedding dress and finding your bridal style, be sure to check out our past posts:
- How to Choose the Right Size for Your Wedding Dress
- The Truth About Strapless Wedding Dresses
- The Truth About Low Back Wedding Dresses
About Lovella
If you're shopping for your perfect wedding dress, come visit us at Lovella Bridal in Glendale, CA. We carry wedding dresses in all sizes and styles, including plus-size bridal gowns and a full selection of veils and accessories. Lovella Bridal is the premier, luxury bridal wedding dress shopping boutique located in Los Angeles, California. Lovella features couture, feminine, modern and chic bridal gowns in all sizes from the best wedding dress designers. Schedule an appointment to find the wedding dress of your dreams at Lovella Bridal. We can't wait to help you!
About Wedding Fashion Expert
Our wedding dress shopping tips and advice are from Nayri, Lovella's own, in-house wedding fashion expert. Nayri is truly the expert when it comes to bridal fashion and wedding style. As the Wedding Fashion Expert, Nayri is the top bridal fashion stylist and the best-selling author of the book "I'm Getting Married And I Have Nothing To Wear," the ultimate guide to helping brides find their wedding day style and their perfect wedding dress. You can subscribe to her YouTube channel or listen to her podcast for more helpful and practical advice on wedding dress shopping.
