Is there a way to make the “invisible” narrow straps on a rhythm less painful?

[ProgressNotPerfection]

I recently bought a new-to-me (used) rhythm dress from a lady at my studio. It’s green with gold stoning and gold fringed asymmetrical hem, and has a halter neck creating such a wide-open back that my sides are partially exposed. It was too loose in the bodice, so I had to substantially shorten the halter strap behind my neck (i.e., move the eye for the hook in by 3 inches) to ensure that my chichis stay securely in place. As additional security, the dress has “invisible” straps running from the back of the neck to the underarms (see drawing below).

I put “invisible” in quotes because they’re not, but I’m told (looking at you, @j_alexandra) that there’s a consensual hallucination wrt ballroom dresses that they are. And I won’t call them “skin-toned,” because there are infinite beautiful colors of skin, and I don’t think Caucasians have the exclusive right to claim that word.

But I digress.

Anyway, these “invisible” straps are very thin and - of necessity - extremely tight. (I sewed in plenty of reinforcement stitches to make sure they won’t rip loose from the dress when I dance.) I wore the dress for about 10 minutes to test it out after I tightened the halter neck, and in those few minutes, the straps had already left red chafe marks on my skin, especially where they attach to the dress at my underarms. I dread what they’ll do after hours and hours of dancing.They’re made of soft rather than scratchy fabric, but because they’re so narrow and snug, they hurt.

Is there anything I can do to minimize this problem? Or is this just another example of “suffering for the sake of one’s art,” or more accurately, “choosing vanity over comfort”? Removing those safety straps is not an option, because they are the only thing holding the dress securely to the outsides of my chichis. Without them, there is too great a risk of chichi-escape from around the sides.

Unless...is there a type of body tape that might work as a substitute for the straps? As in, double-sided tape that would affix the inside edge of the dress to my skin, from my waist to my underarms? And would stay in place for hours, even while dancing and sweating; and would not cause an allergic reaction for someone with sensitive-to-medical-adhesive skin; and would not damage the dress? (Yeah, yeah, I know... I don’t ask for much, do I.)

Well, it doesn’t hurt to ask.



P.S. My skin is currently about the same color as the drawing shows. This dress will require some serious, dedicated tanning.

 

[lucia_l]

Do they hurt everywhere or just under the underarms?

 

[singndance]

Would it work to replace those straps with one strap that goes across the back from chichi to chichi? Not ideal, but may be more comfortable. Or, could you have the original dressmaker redo the back of the dress for you....maybe replace the narrow invisible straps with decorative stones strapping?

 

[bia]

I agree that the consensual hallucination of invisibility exists, but despite my years in this environment, my eyes still don't go along. To my taste, intricate strap patterns can be very attractive, assuming that they are well designed, and I think that sometimes the invisibility consensus leads people to not take the time in the design. Following this philosophy, with this dress design, I'd replace the straps in question with wider dress-colored straps -- you'd still have a completely open back. Or maybe play around with more complicated strap patterns, still dress-colored. Though I think this is likely a minority opinion, so YMMV.

(All that said, with alterations to my new used standard gown, I'm making significant use of "nude" mesh, to which I have the same objection. But I tried colored mesh and it didn't look right with the dress design, so I gave in. But I hope that stoning it up thoughtfully will make it look better than just trying and failing to look like skin.)

 

[bia]

Oh, and no, if the straps don't secure it, no tape will.

 

[singndance]

Maybe the nude straps are just too short for your body type....it could be as simple as just replacing them with longer straps.

 

[singndance]

I agree that the consensual hallucination of invisibility exists, but despite my years in this environment, my eyes still don't go along.

Agree. I'd much rather have a dress that doesn't require them, but sometimes it's just impossible.

 

[bia]

What about changing the attachment location of the back straps on the neck strap so the back straps cross? If the rubbing is related to how sharply the straps cut under the underarm, changing that angle might help.

Or (serving a similar angle-changing purpose, and also maybe saving the back of your neck) you could undo the halter and instead make each strap (dress-colored) run from the bodice, across the shoulder, to the opposite side in back, making X straps.

 

[lucia_l]

Following this philosophy, with this dress design, I'd replace the straps in question with wider dress-colored straps -- you'd still have a completely open back. Or maybe play around with more complicated strap patterns, still dress-colored. Though I think this is likely a minority opinion, so YMMV.

One reason I asked where they are painful is that the only useful solution may be precisely to make a more complicated strap pattern of dress colored straps. If the pain is mostly in the armpits then you need to avoid the armpits. Cris-crossing going from lower to pits might reduce the pain. (Or not.)

 

[Warren J. Dew]

Unless...is there a type of body tape that might work as a substitute for the straps? As in, double-sided tape that would affix the inside edge of the dress to my skin, from my waist to my underarms? And would stay in place for hours, even while dancing and sweating; and would not cause an allergic reaction for someone with sensitive-to-medical-adhesive skin; and would not damage the dress?

I believe there used to be stick on bras that came with separate adhesive, so there might be an adhesive that would work.

 

[bia]

I believe there used to be stick on bras that came with separate adhesive, so there might be an adhesive that would work.

Maybe, but me, I'd be worried the whole time. And if it did fail mid-comp... Plus, with sensitive skin, I'd expect irritation.

 

[Greybeard]

I kind of feel like I'm butting into something I have absolutely no expertise on, so ignore me if you want.

When you shortened the neck, did that bring the straps lower attachment point higher on your body than designed? Maybe the strap is designed to come to the bottom of your chi-chis instead of the top, giving more room to allow your body to move.

 

[lucia_l]

If the rubbing is related to how sharply the straps cut under the underarm, changing that angle might help.

A more horizontal strap means a larger horizontal component of force for the same amount of tension in the strap. Tension is sort of what "digs in". I think generally speaking, the goal is to pull the back of the dress horizontally, might allow you to make the straps a little looser while pulling the dress across your chest the say you want. That might help.

 

[ChaCha1]

Since you don't have access to the original designer, you can get wider elastic and move the top attachment. It will pull it farther from your underarms. I wouldn't eliminate the attachment because those ensure that if the hooks at your neck is somehow undone you will not be exposed. You also may want to remove the cross strap that you didn't show on the drawing.

 

[raindance]

In addition to some of the suggestions above, wider straps may be more comfortable. Maybe a little wider, maybe a lot wider, depending on lots of factors. And having more stretch than you seem to be describing may be more comfortable as well.

A variety of combinations of fabric and elastic can be used. You are basically trying to replace bra straps plus support the weight of the dress (with stoning, in many cases), and have it hold up with a wide variety of movements.

Start with a good quality elastic of the appropriate thickness for comfort and support, and then cover with whatever color fabric is desired (to match dress color or flesh tone, etc). Fabric will need to have the appropriate degree of stretch for elastic used, too.