Thread: Preventing shoulder strap slipage?

Lately it seems no matter how tight my shoulder straps are, at some point in my performance one of my shoulder straps slips and really hinders my movement. Not to mention looking very sloppy. Any ideas? Has this been discussed before and if so where is the old thread? I know I can't be the only one with this problem. Help!
Patricia

for this reason i usually wear halter or cross-in-the-back straps. but i would like to know if someone had a solution..

My advice is to move them closer together in back.

If they're slipping even when they're really tight, then they're set too wide.

This always happened to me. I figured I'd never solve this properly, so I always always wear halter necks or cross back - I'll convert a bra to halter if it just has the standard straps.

Another solution I've seen is to create a cross-bar strap in the back to hold the shoulder straps together. If it is beaded in the same style as the straps, it looks pretty nice, and it certainly holds the straps up. You could even do it in a saucy asymetrical style, with one side of the "cross-bar" strap starting close to the back strap and one up towards the shoulder.

I usually convert all of mine to a cross back or a halter with t-strap, as I think both do a better job of lift 'n separate than a bra with straight straps.

What about using some Toupe tape or body tape to help hold it in place?

Or the non-slip, open weave drawer liner stuff? It can be cut to size. I bought a cossie here that had this basted to the skirt waist and thought it was genius~ the full, swishy skirt didn't move through the whole performance.

Originally Posted by maranajla

Or the non-slip, open weave drawer liner stuff? It can be cut to size. I bought a cossie here that had this basted to the skirt waist and thought it was genius~ the full, swishy skirt didn't move through the whole performance.

Brilliant! I've tried sewing a chunk of a large rubberband on the top of gauntlets to hold them up (it works pretty well), but never thought about putting it at the top of a skirt. Hat's off to you for that idea!

What I do with my bedlah bras is to wear one of the wrist bands or anklets round the straps at the back to make it a racer back. This works brilliantly. No strap slippage and from the front it looks like a halter neck which is the most flattering look for me anyway. I don't sew it it just stays in place and works realy well

If the bra straps are just a little loose, you can use double-sided garment tape to keep them in place. I put a small piece of tape at the top of each bra strap, and I don't have to worry about slipping during a performance. You can usually get the tape at fabric stores (in notions, near the bra cups and replacement hooks) or at general merchandise stores like Wal-Mart (in the lingerie department).

Originally Posted by khalisah

Brilliant! I've tried sewing a chunk of a large rubberband on the top of gauntlets to hold them up (it works pretty well), but never thought about putting it at the top of a skirt. Hat's off to you for that idea!

Oh I agree! This is a brilliant idea and yes I'll have to try using it on my gauntlets as well since they always seem to slip and pool around my lower arm and wrist. And DUH-you are so right Tourbeau. And to think I have tape in my dance bag but for some reason I didn't think of using it. Thanks for the reminder, I'll have to remember that.

I love the idea of pulling the straps together into a racer, the idea of using a anklet would make it so quick and easy as well - another fabulous idea Candi! Quick and easy I like.

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful and useful tips! I should have asked you this question last week and saved myself the problem of slipage during last night's performance. You are great, thank you! Patricia

Patricia; One last hint, Some times we don't have enough play in the straps to pull in a halter style. What i do is sew a 5-6" piece of elastic (the same width of the strap) to the top shoulder portion of the strap. I sew one end and pull the elastic out and sew to the other end. This leaves the strap popping out about 1". I then proceed to stretch the elasic to match the strap and do a zig zag stitch from one side to the other. It really works well to keep the strap down during all movements. Hope this makes sense. can post pics if needed. :)

Originally Posted by shahla

What about using some Toupe tape or body tape to help hold it in place?

That's what I do, and it works great.

Originally Posted by Sarahamh

This always happened to me. I figured I'd never solve this properly, so I always always wear halter necks or cross back - I'll convert a bra to halter if it just has the standard straps.

I like the cross back the best. It's the most comfortable for me, but sometimes it's hard to get into if the straps are sewn down.