Putting on a dress typically involves either stepping into the garment from the bottom or pulling it over your head, with the best method depending on the dress's style, fabric, and how fitted it is.
Understanding Different Methods
There are two primary ways to put on a dress, each suited for different types of dresses and situations.
Stepping Into the Dress
This method is often recommended, especially for formal dresses, wedding gowns, or any dress with delicate details, fitted silhouettes, or when your hair and makeup are already complete.
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Why Step In? Stepping into a dress helps protect finished hair and makeup from smudging or transferring onto the dress's fabric, particularly around the neckline. As demonstrated in guides for putting on garments like wedding dresses, finding the bottom of the dress and creating space allows you to step in without pulling the fabric over your head, thus safeguarding your styling. This technique minimizes the risk of makeup or hair products getting onto the dress.
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Steps to Step In:
- Hold the dress with the bottom hem near the floor.
- Locate the opening for your feet (the bottom of the dress).
- Gather the dress fabric upwards slightly to create enough space.
- Carefully step one foot, then the other, into the opening.
- Pull the dress gently upwards over your legs and torso.
- Once it's up, guide your arms through the armholes.
- Adjust and fasten any closures like zippers or buttons.
Pulling Over the Head
This is a common method for dresses made from stretchy materials, looser styles, or casual dresses where fabric transfers are less of a concern.
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Why Pull Over? It's often quicker and simpler for dresses that don't have intricate closures or delicate necklines.
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Steps to Pull Over:
- Hold the dress with the neckline facing upwards.
- Place the dress over your head, starting with the neckline.
- Guide your head through the neck opening.
- Slip your arms through the armholes.
- Pull the rest of the dress down over your body.
- Adjust as needed and fasten any closures.
Tips for Different Dress Styles
- Dresses with Zippers: For back zippers, it's often easiest to step into the dress and zip it up once it's on. You might need assistance for zipping up a tight back zipper. For side or front zippers, you can typically put the dress on either way, opening the zipper first for ease.
- Dresses with Buttons: Button-up dresses can be stepped into and then buttoned from bottom to top, or pulled over the head and buttoned from top to bottom.
- Delicate Fabrics or Embellishments: Always handle delicate fabrics, lace, or embellishments with care, regardless of how you put the dress on. Stepping in is generally safer to avoid snagging.
- Fitted vs. Loose: Fitted dresses are often easier to step into. Loose or A-line dresses can usually be put on either way.
General Best Practices
- Ensure you have enough space to move freely without snagging the dress on furniture or other objects.
- Have clear access to any closures you'll need to fasten.
- Check the dress alignment once it's on (seams, shoulders, waistline).
Choosing how to put on a dress depends on the specific garment and your personal preference, but stepping into the dress is a valuable technique, especially for protecting your look and the dress itself, as highlighted in guides for intricate gowns.
