How to Tie a Multiway Dress

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 10, 2020

Multiway dresses are both stylish and functional. Having one dress that can be worn many different ways creates endless options, and you can experiment with different ways of tying your outfit. By choosing a style and following simple steps, you'll be able to transform your multiway dress into everything from a halter dress to a strapless dress.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Forming Sleeves

1
Create a dress with a cap sleeve. Put the dress on, then bring the straps up to your shoulders. Twist each strap once right below the front of your shoulders. Make the sleeve as wide as you’d like, and then cross the straps in the back. Bring the straps back to the front — you should still have one strap on each side of you — and then wrap them around your waist so that the straps are in the back again. Tie the straps in a knot or bow behind you.^{[1]
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2
Add a knot to your cap sleeve for a more detailed look. After you’ve stepped into the dress, pull the straps up to your shoulders as you would for a normal cap sleeve. Form a knot right below your collarbone in each strap. Spread the fabric out over your shoulders to create the sleeve. Cross the straps in the back and then bring them around to your front. Tie the straps in a bow in the front, or bring them around to the back and tie them.

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3
Wear your dress with short sleeves to cover your shoulders. With the dress on, pull each strap onto your shoulders. Create a cross with the straps in the back before pulling them back to the front. Wrap the straps around your waist twice completely. Tie a knot or bow in the front or back of the dress.
- If you feel like your straps are too long to work with, wrap them around your waist however many times it takes to make them into an appropriate length before tying them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Dresses with 2 Straps

1
Use the straps to make a halter dress. Once you’ve slipped into the dress, make sure the straps are in the front of the dress. Cross the straps before pulling each end up to your shoulders. Pull the straps down your back and then bring them back around your waist. You can tie the straps in the back or on the side.
- You can also twist the straps several times before wrapping them around your waist.
2
Create a halter with a twist front for a thinner strap. Slip into the dress and twist the straps in the front right below your neckline. Put them on your shoulders and create a cross in the back by twisting them similar to how you twisted the straps in the front — the first twist shouldn't have a keyhole while the second twist will resemble an "X." Bring the straps around to your front and then to the back as you wrap them around your waist. Tie the straps in a bow or knot in the back.
3
Form a backless dress by twisting the straps. Step into the dress and pull each strap up to your shoulders. Twist each strap until it becomes narrow and tight. Bring the straps over your shoulder and back under your armpits before crossing them in the front. Bring the straps to your back and tie them in a knot or a bow.
4
Tie knots to create a dress with thin straps. After ensuring that the straps are in front of you while wearing the dress, tie a knot in each strap just below your shoulders. Bring the straps over your shoulders so that they’re on your back, and then wrap them around your waist. You can tie them in the front or the back.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Creating Single Strap and Strapless Looks

1
Twist the straps to form a 1 shoulder dress. Once you’re in the dress, pull up the left strap so that it covers your left shoulder. Pull up the right strap so that it is also on top of your left shoulder, and then twist the straps together to go down your back. Once the straps are twisted, they should resemble a rope. Bring one strap around the left side of your waist and the other strap around the right side before tying them in the front or back.^{[2]
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- If you would rather have the straps go on the opposite side, pull up both straps to cover your right shoulder before twisting.
2
Tie a knot for an alternative 1 shoulder dress. Bring both straps up to your left shoulder, making sure to cover your bust. Create a knot just below your shoulder with both straps before pulling the left strap under your arm so that it’s back in the front. Bring the right strap across your back and around your waist to the right. Cross the straps in the front before tying them in the back.^{[3]
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3
Wrap the straps around your bust for a strapless dress. Making sure that both straps are in the front, pull the right strap over your left bust and the left strap over your right bust before wrapping them around your back. Once the straps are both in the back, cross them and bring them back to the front. Bring them around to the back one more time and tie in a bow or knot.^{[4]
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- Tucking the front of the dress into a strapless bra will help keep the dress in place.