Straps that slide off the shoulder

Short answer: Short answer: Straps slip when they are too loose, or when your shoulders slope. Tighten the straps, choose a style with straps set closer together, or use a strap holder.

The two common causes

Either the straps are set too far out, or you have sloping shoulders where there is nothing for the strap to rest against. The first you can fix in a minute in front of the mirror, while the second needs a different cut on the top so the strap has something to lean on.

Choose the cut for your shoulder

If you have sloping shoulders, choose styles where the straps sit closer to the neck, such as a racerback, a crossback, or wide straps. Wide straps slip less than narrow ones, because the friction against the skin is greater and the pressure spreads over a wider area instead of gathering in a thin line.

The quick fix

A small strap holder gathers the straps at the back and solves the problem on almost any top straight away. It costs almost nothing and can be moved between garments as needed. A safety pin does much the same thing, but it wears on the fabric more and can leave small holes over time.

When it is the bra's fault

If the band is too loose, the full weight of the cup rests on the straps, and they end up carrying far more than they are meant to. Tighten the band first and see if the straps then stay put on their own. See bamboo bra without underwire with a wide, soft band.

Wide straps slip less

The wider a strap is, the more surface it has to grip the shoulder with. A narrow, smooth strap under a centimetre almost always slips down over the course of the day, while a wide strap with a little texture stays put even with a lot of arm movement.

Petticoats and smooth fabrics

Smooth materials make the problem worse, because the strap has nothing to grip against the skin. See bamboo petticoat, where the straps are adjustable and a little wider than on ordinary tops. A petticoat with straps that are too narrow slips more often, no matter how tight you set them.

Sewing the straps in place

A couple of stitches at the shoulder of a top hold the strap permanently in place, if the problem only happens with one particular garment. It is a lasting, free fix, but it only works if you will not need to adjust the strap length later for other reasons.

The fabric makes a difference

Fabric with a little elastane in the straps follows the shoulder's movement better than completely stiff fabric. See the full range under bamboo tops for women, where several styles have wider, knitted straps. It makes a noticeable difference, especially if you wear the top through a whole working day.

Check regularly through the day

Straps stretch a little over the course of the day, even when they sat correctly in the morning. Take a moment around midday to tighten them again if they are adjustable. It takes a few seconds and stops you from walking around with a strap half slipped down your arm.