Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Bridal Gown Glossary of Terms

Ok, I’ll admit it. I went out looking at wedding dresses the day AFTER I got engaged. I know there are more of you out there… come on. It was an overwhelming experience for me. Before I got 3 feet in the door at most shops, I was approached by a bridal consultant asking me such questions as, “What is your wedding date?” and “What style do you have in mind?” and “How many bridesmaids are you having?” and so on.

As months passed, I slowly became able to answer those questions, but now came new ones. “What are you looking for, A-lines? Bone bodices? Halter-top? Mermaid?” I started feeling over whelmed again. Since then, I’ve researched, and slowly kept a notebook of bridal terms and meanings to help me through it all. These seem to be the most commonly used; as there are more I’m sure. I hope it helps you, as much as it’s helped me.


A-line gown – Form fitting bodices that flares out from the waistline to a full skirt. These gowns have a seamless waist.

Back drape – A length of material attached either at the shoulder or the waist that flows over the back to floor length. In some cases can be removable.

Ball gown – Very full skirt that begins at the waist and continues to a formal length.

Ballerina neckline – A low neckline that usually occurs with strapless or spaghetti strapped dresses.

Basque waist/V-waist – Dropped waist starting at or just below the waistline, and dips in the center creating a “V” shape.

Bateau neck/boat neck – A high, wide, straight neckline that runs straight across the front and back, meeting at the shoulders. It is the same depth in the front and back.

Cap sleeve – A small short sleeve, which sits on the shoulder, either forming a stiff cap or falling on to the arm. Provides minimal coverage.

Cathedral train/Monarch train – A cascading train extending six to eight feet behind the gown.

Chapel train – (most popular) flows from three to four feet behind gown.

Column Skirt/straight skirt – Straight-line skirt with no flare or fullness at the hem or waistline.

Corset top/boned bodice – Form fitting, usually strapless bodice with boning and either laces or snap closures, worn as an undergarment in the past, now popular as outer-garment.

Crinoline – AKA Petticoats, stiffened slip worn under the dress to give the skirt height or “poof”. Most common is found in 2 styles. A-line and Full. A-line is 2 layers, Full is 3.

Diamond neck – Diamond shaped cutout that fastens at the front or back neckline.

Dropped shoulders – Style that the shoulder or sleeve is falling off the shoulder.

Empire bodice – Bodice that ends just below the bust.

Empire waist – Waistline begins just below the bust.

Fishtail train – Fitted around the hips and flares out from the knee to the hemline.

Fitted point sleeve – Long, narrow sleeve that tapers to a point, which rests against the back of the hand.

Gauntlets – Dress gloves extending above the wrist.

Halter-top – Sleeveless bodice with a high choke or wrap neck that may be backless.

Keyhole neck – tear shaped or round cutout that fastens at the front of back neckline.

Mermaid – Skirt that hugs body until it reaches the knees then ends in dramatic flare.

Sheaths – Usually have straight or close fitting skirts, accompanied by a form-fitting bodice. Skirt is often ankle length and sometimes has a slit in either the front, side, or back to make walking easier.

Spaghetti strap – thin tubular strap that attaches to the bodice

Square neck – an open neckline shaped in the form of a half square.

Sweep train – The shortest train, barely sweeping the floor.

Sweetheart neck – Neckline shaped like the top half of a heart

Tank top – Short, sleeveless top with wide armholes.

Tulle skirt/Bouffant gown – A sheer, puffed-out skirt often made of stiffened silk, rayon, or nylon net.

V-neck/V-back – An open neck/back coming to a “V” shape midway down the bodice.

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