Strapless

/ˈstræpləs/ adjective

Definition

Describing clothing, especially a dress or top, that has no straps over the shoulders and is held up by being tight around the chest or with internal support.

Etymology

From 'strap' (a strip of material) plus the suffix '-less' (without), a straightforward compound created in the early 1900s for fashion.

Kelly Says

Strapless dresses became wildly popular after World War II partly because women had gotten used to freedom of movement during the war, and strapless styles symbolized the new confidence and casual elegance women wanted in peacetime.

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