Strapless Gown

With no shoulders in play, the whole weight of the skirt transfers to the ribcage, so the heavier the skirt the tighter the bodice has to grip. That is the trade worth weighing: a light skirt lets a strapless bodice sit comfortably all evening, while a beaded or trained skirt asks it to work much harder. A corset back is what makes the difference manageable, because it adjusts on the day rather than only at the fitting.