I was having an in depth conversation with a young
lady this past weekend and it occurred to me…unfortunately she has no idea HOW
to describe her perfect wedding dress. The vision has come together in her head
but it’s having a hard time doing much else...No shade! In my experience the most commonly confused
dresses are the fit and flair and mermaid….Yes so there is a difference if you
were unaware! Wedding dress shopping introduces you to new fabrics, gown
shapes, veil lengths, dress lengths, embellishments, types of waist styles, sleeve options…like
honestly it can be quite confusing! Your wedding dress is one of the MOST
important garments sooo it’s important that you get a handle on the terms!
·
A-line -- A fitted bodice that has a modest flair in the
skirt, A-line wedding-dress designs are among the most popular sold today. This is a universal classic that
suits almost any body type from the curvy chicks to the skinty ones…
·
Ball gown -- This is the fairytale princess dress style you
remember from Cinderella, Lady Diana, and Grace Kelly's ceremonies. It has a
long, flowing skirt and a fitted bodice. It has lots of fullness, created with
petticoats, hoops, OR too much crinoline…you get the idea.
·
Blouson -- Blouson designs are, as the name implies,
blousy. They're gathered at the waist or an inch or two below. Not very
popular!
·
Drop waist -- Flaunting either a loose or fitted bodice,
drop-waist gowns add styling that accentuates the area just below the waistline
or the waist itself. It looks the BEST on curvy women….gives those hips all the
attention!!
·
Asymmetrical -- Dresses with features like one shoulder strap
or layering that creates an uneven, spatial arrangement or silhouette.
·
Empire -- Distinguished by a high waist, hitting just below
the bust. The empire styling elongates the body, minimizes pear-shaped figures
and can conceal a disproportionately large or small bust. I like empire waist
shirts because it’s freaking forgiving…so imagine what a good ole tight empire
wedding dress can hide…WONDERS!
·
Mermaid -- Also called a trumpet or fishtail
design, the mermaid dress hugs the body and begins to flair, usually at the
knee. The flare can be modest or exaggerated. This design accentuates a woman's
figure and shows particularly well on tall, athletic women. Although I love the
mermaid…it can sometimes take the curvy bride, or the shorter bride a little
longer to find a flattering dress in this style…
·
Mini -- A gown with a hemline that falls at or above
the knee…Cocktaily!
·
Princess -- Created from unbroken vertical panels (that
will suck you in), this style can take a classic A-line shape or have a more exaggerated
flare. It's considered a slimming design that will suit most body types.
·
Sheath -- Unconstructed, long and slim, the sheath is
body-hugging and doesn't have a fitted waist…not as forgiving!
·
Boat neck -- This style rests along the shoulder points,
revealing the collar bone. It's also known as a bateau. Umm literally forms
a banana boat around your neck…
·
Cowl neck -- Loosely draped fabric, styled either high or low
at the neck and bust characterize this component
·
Drop shoulder -- A look consisting of bands or sleeves that start
below the curve of the upper arm…nice shoulders and a good ole skinty collar
bone are heavily accentuated with a drop shoulder!!
·
Halter -- The top is angled at a diagonal along the outer
bust and neck to fasten behind the neck…has always seemed clubbish to me tho...
·
Jewel -- A neckline that follows the curve at the base of
the neck and does not include a collar...always seemed Playboyish to me lol
·
Portrait collar -- This drop-shouldered look
consists of a folded, sometimes exaggerated collar
·
Sabrina -- This style is characterized by a straight neckline
beginning well inside the curve of the shoulder
·
Scoop neck -- This neckline can be daring or modest with this
component but ends in a curve instead of a point.
·
Spaghetti straps -- A neckline characterized by very
slender, supportive straps at the shoulder…some brides automatically go here
for the support of their D’s…but a good strapless bra and good alternations eliminate
the need!
·
Square neck -- This neckline has a horizontal line
across the front of the bodice terminating in sheer vertical straps or shaping
on either side. Viewed from the front, it looks like a cutout in the shape of a
square or rectangle.
·
Strapless -- As the name implies, this look leaves the
shoulders bare. This style is supported by the structure of the bodice...which is why I love a good strapless with a corset back...when you need support after one too many dances...it's there!
·
Sweetheart -- A component characterized by a curve over each breast
to dip into a shallow or deep V like the top of a Valentine's heart. THE SINGLE
most popular neck line…
·
V-neck -- This neckline is defined by the shape of a
plunging or shallow letter V (my friend's kid that this will be my collar bc I love to show the girls...they don't know me AT ALL)
·
Ballerina -- At or just above the ankle
·
Floor -- Brushing the floor or slightly above…The most
popular…
·
Hi-lo -- Also called an intermission hem, it hits
at mid-calf in front and is floor length in back...not to say it can't be pulled off, but I've honestly never truly seen it done!
·
Mini -- Above the knee
·
Street -- Just covering the knee
·
Tea -- Terminating a few inches above the ankle
·
Bell -- Snug to the elbow and then flaring to the wrist
·
Capped -- Very short sleeves, closely fitted and slightly
rounded
·
Dolman -- Joined to the bodice above the elbow and tapering
to the wrist. Also called a bat sleeve
·
Kimono -- Sleeves extending into the main column of the
dress and lengthening deep and wide to the wrist
·
Puff -- Gathered or pleated at the shoulder. Depending on
the amount of volume involved, can include: Juliet, bishop, leg-of-mutton,
balloon, poet and pouf
·
Three-quarter length -- Terminating between the elbow
and wrist
·
Tulip -- Overlapping fabric that creates a series of petal
shapes
·
Batiste -- A fine, sheer and delicate cotton or cotton/linen
blend
·
Brocade -- A heavy, woven fabric with a raised or sculpted
design, typically only worn during cool seasons
·
Chantilly -- A fine, mesh lace that often features floral
designs outlined with silk threads….I appreciate this in a regular dress. It’s
soooo CLASSY
·
Chiffon -- Sheer, mesh fabric that can be made from
silk, cotton or polyester
·
Crepe -- Lightweight, soft fabric that appears slightly
crimped or crinkled (Listen leave this to your tablecloths if you absolutely MUST have it)
·
Crepe de Chine -- A thinner variety of the crepe fabric described
above
·
Crinoline -- A stiff foundation fabric that's used as an
underskirt with a ball gown style wedding dress...I did a blog in the past about dying my crinoline...man I love THAT!
·
Organza -- A sheer, fine, translucent and textured
fabric made from silk, polyester or nylon…you’ll find this a lot
·
Satin -- Shiny fabric that's usually very smooth
and densely woven. It's available in many different weights and color….it’s
thick enough to be forgiving but definitely wedding
·
Shantung -- Rough-textured woven silk or synthetic fabric that
crushes easily
·
Taffeta – Reportedly, a high-end (don’t know if I’d
characterize it as high-end), woven fabric with a slight sheen that's often
reserved for fine garments (or rain coats in my opinion lol). It's available in two varieties: Piece-dyed
taffeta, which is soft and often used as a lining material, and heavier,
stiffer yarn-dyed taffeta used in evening gowns and wedding dresses.
·
Tulle -- Sheer, stiff mesh made from rayon, cotton, silk or
nylon…one of my faves
·
Velvet -- A fabric with a distinctive pile, velvet can be
made with silk, cotton or a number of blends. It's typically a cool-weather
choice….I can’t think of a single time velvet should be the move lol
·
Voile -- Very lightweight, semi-transparent fabric woven
from cotton, linen, synthetics and cotton blends
We mustn’t forget the veils…
·
Brush -- Short, just touching the floor
·
Court -- A little fuller than the brush style, train drapes
starting at the waist
·
Watteau -- About the same length as a brush train,
characterized by a single panel attached at the shoulders
·
Chapel -- Dramatic but still easy to handle, extends about 3
feet behind the bride
·
Cathedral -- Dramatic and formal, can extend 6 feet or more
behind the bride
Learning key terms can assist you
in wedding dress shopping. Trust, it’ll be far less frustrating for EVERYONE
involved if you can describe what you like and what you don't!!!
Merry CHRISTmas…Happy Birthday Jesus month all…
XOXOXO
