As to straps across the back, I haven't seen a reason to do them, and I've managed some pretty low-backed styles. The trick is to get the edge of the shoulder piece to sit right in the av joint (that little hollow you can feel on shoulder), and then the shoulders stay put.
The dresses in Albrecht Durer illustrations - the ones with the wide U-shaped neckline - sometimes have straps across the back. Woodcuts show them, but only on those dresses. I've never seen one on a "Cranach" dress.
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