Backless shirts and dresses have a certain appeal that brings a mysterious sultriness to outfits but there’s a difference between being fashionably revealing and just plain trashy so how much is too much?
From bows to straps to cutouts, there are numerous ways backless dresses and shirts can be fun and fearless but there has to be some sort of discerning line that separates fashion from tackiness. Material, brand and design are all factors but the main one is skin.
Personally, unless you have an unbelievably amazing back line and are on the red carpet, backless items of clothing should be somewhat revealing but not entirely. I’m not saying that all backless tops and dresses are inappropriate but there should be a certain amount of back that should be concealed.
What do you Lovelies think is acceptable versus inappropriate for backless outfits?
cherry blossom / 27 posts
well it’s better than frontless, now it isn’t it?
guest
To me, I think that if the back of the dress/top goes below the braline then it’s too low. Also, side-boob doesn’t look nice.
magnolia / 1357 posts
I think it depends a lot on what else is covered up and the material (as well as its color/print).
A backless dress that also has cleavage will look bad, in my opinion, no matter what.
If the front is well covered up but it is made with a lime green shiny satin, it will look bad.
Hilary Swank at the 2005 Oscars was perfect.
rose / 937 posts
Depends on the entire outfit, the construction of the piece and material, and the occasion. If you are wearing it to work versus a night out, obviously you might find that was wasn’t acceptable at work is fine for drinks. I think that the lowest I’d want to go would be around the bottom of the shoulder blades, but it needs to be well balanced out with the front. If you wear something underneath then it can be as low as you’d like. I actually don’t think that super low backs look all that attractive actually, or even moderate low ones. I prefer there to be more skin showing either at the front or on the sides, depending on what’s worn underneath.
orchid / 222 posts
If the butt crack is showing then it’s too much, and if you’re exposing things like side-boob it’s too much. I go for the one of three rule: expose your back, boobs, or legs, but only one at a time.
guest
Personally, if your back and your little butt crack are showing all at once then you know there’s way too much skin being revealed. However, I remember there was one actress who wore a very low, backless dress. If I recall, the actress was Charlize Theron. She looked glamorous and elegant rather than trashy.
http://i44.tinypic.com/287q8gy.jpg
daffodil / 1525 posts
man, backs are sexy.
guest
I think it depends on several factors, but mostly I’d consider the occasion in which you are wearing the very low back/backless look, and the place you are going. I probably wouldn’t wear anything much lower than below my shoulder blades, mostly because I could never go out in public without a proper bra and I’ve got too much squish to be wearing so little fabric. It just wouldn’t be a pretty sight at all. I think the only time I might wear something fairly low cut in the back would be a one piece bathing suit, definitely no butt cleavage showing though.
guest
Depends on the time and place
guest
Depends on the time and place
guest
The first picture is fine, the second one not so much. The first one exposes the whole back but covers up the butt and closes. The second one is just flying out there. Also any backless outfit that shows the buttcrack is trashy.
guest
It needs to be hooked somehow. If it’s fully backless and a breeze blows your shirt out so you can see your boobs, that’s too much. As long as it’s not backless with cleavage and bare legs, or any combination, it’s ok as long as the back has at least a button to hold it together.
guest
there are too many “it depends on”. I would never wear the backless looks I did in the early 2000s/ late 90s because I am too old and I no longer feel the need to push the envelope by showing a lot of skin. You”ll never see me wearing a backless t-shirt. However, I would definitely wear a backless evening gown provided it didn’t have a thigh high slit and/or it wasn’t low cut in the front. I love the two looks shown on this page.
orchid / 242 posts
I would like to be able to wear a bra.
dahlia / 2747 posts
no such thing as too much back. back is gorgeous.
guest
Long as there’s no crack or butt cheeks showing, and the front isn’t so flimsy that the breasts can just flop around it should be all good. At least in public settings. At home, anything goes heh.
guest
I think the first one looked like a more tasteful use of back exposure. The second one not so much. Skin is great as long as it’s not classless.
hydrangea / 71 posts
i wore a semi-backless prom dress to my senior prom..it made me realize we all should wear what we wanna wear, at least once!
orchid / 159 posts
Backless dresses are sooooooo gorgeous. Maybe it’s my personal affinity to my back but I love the look. The second example shirt is honestly interesting. I might safety pin the bottom personally but for the summer it’s a different look. If you can pull it off, go for it!
sunflower / 499 posts
lloooveee it!!
guest
I love backless dresses!
sunflower / 480 posts
That first image, is NOT sexy back. Ew, that girl is crushable with how visible her ribs are.
guest
love backs but..sighs.. boobies are fer me ..well that and legs… well boobies legs and thighs…sighs… and butts….hmm which means backs soo… boobies, legs, backs,thighs, umm did i meantion hair. .gotsa be nice hair less she is bald… heartbeat is a plus yes…
guest
A new shirtin the funin the form ofa sense ofspiritualchange
hydrangea / 86 posts
If I saw the girl in the second photo somewhere, I’d definitely look for her boobs.
daisy / 597 posts
What I think disturbs me is not the question… but the fact that the first girl looks un-healthy skinny
guest
the cover picture is HOT
peony / 1 posts
I love the dress in the first picture. What’s the name and designer of the dress?
guest
As long as it doesn’t show (.)(.)ies or nether regions, I think you are safe.