The Trick Fashion People Use to Make Strapless Dresses Look Their Best

With party season in full swing, I'm keen to take some of my new favourite trends for a turn around the block. The ultimate party trend for me? Well, this year it has to be the strapless dress. Whether trimmed with feathers, covered in sparkles, or of the slinky, silky sort, strapless dresses have come out on top as one of the biggest dress trends of the year. Styled by the likes of Hailey Bieber and Anne Hathaway, I've found myself looking on in awe, hopeful to one day re-create the supremely chic looks myself. Now, with my calendar filling up, I'm no longer hopeful, but instead determined. But there's the issue of a bra. Or no bra, for that matter. Having expressed my bra-related concerns and consulted with my fellow Who What Wear UK editors, my course of action has been streamlined in one direction: boob tape.

Boob tape is a tape made from cotton, elastic and adhesive and is used to lift and shape your breasts in place of a bra. The tape can be adhered to the body in whichever way you want, meaning that you can conceal it under any dress or top—from halternecks to strapless styles. The secret weapon celebrities and influencers have been falling back on for years, boob tape is the hidden style saviour that has been a mainstay on red carpets for decades, lifting and securing the breasts for a comfortable, smooth (and safe—we don't want to be hoisting up and glancing down all night) finish, no matter what you're wearing.

For a subtly lifted effect that will sit well underneath a deep V-neck dress, simply adhere the tape to the bottom of the breast, lifting it slightly, before taping down at the top too. And if, like me, you've been waiting to wear a strapless dress this season, use the boob tape to conceal your nipples, or adhere it from armpit to armpit to keep you lifted and secure sans strapless bra. For extra precision, cut your boob tape lengthways to make smaller adjustments and play around with positioning to find a comfortable placement that holds you in. On removal, remove the top of the tape and gently pull it down, using body oil to release the glue. For added comfort, consider applying nipple covers before tape application, as this tends to be the most sensitive area to remove the tape from.

Next Up: Backless Dresses Look 100 Times Better With This Bra Involved