Wedding Dress 101
Wedding dresses come in a dizzying amount of options. Here is a glossary of wedding dress terms to help you keep it all straight.
Silhouettes
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A-line: fitted at the bodice and flows out to the ground, with an unbroken line (resembling the outline of an uppercase A). |
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Ballgown: fitted at the bodice and has a waistline that leads to a full skirt |
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Mermaid: fits closely to the body from the chest to the knee, then flares out to the hem |
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Sheath: fits very closely to the contours of the body. Has a straight skirt with no waist |
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Trumpet: fits closely to the body until the midhip and then widens gradually to the hem. (resembling the mouth of a trumpet). Often confused with mermaid, but trumpet flairs from mid-hip, whereas mermaid flairs below the knee |
Necklines
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Square: has a straight horizontal bodice that meets with straps in a 90 degree angle |
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Scoop: U shaped neckline with varying depth |
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V-neck: dips down in a V-shape |
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Sweetheart: neckline is shaped like the top half of a heart |
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One Shoulder: strap across one shoulder only |
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Off the Shoulder: sits below the shoulders and highlights the collar bone and shoulders |
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Sheer: semi sheer net or lace |
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Halter: has straps that wrap around the back of the neck |
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High Neck: features high neck/t-shirt neckline |
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Queen Ann: high rising collar at the back of neckline that sculpts low across the chest |
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Bateau: (boat neck): follows the curve of the collarbone to the very tip of shoulders |
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Strapless straight across: straight across neckline with no curves and no straps |
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Strapless slight curve: neckline curves slightly up or down with no straps |  |
Strapless sweetheart: neckline is shaped like the top half of a heart |
Waistlines
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Basque Waist: waistline features a low U or V shape |
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Dropped Waist: features a waist line below the natural waist at the mid hip |
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Empire: has a raised waistline that sits just below the bust, from which the rest of the dress flows down to the hem |
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Natural Waist: waist line that hits at the natural waist (the indentation between the hips and the rib-cage) |
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Princess: A-line silhouette with vertical seams down the front |
Sleeve Style
Dress Length
Trains
Sweep: (also called brush) is the shortest trains -usually, the back hem is only a few inches lower than the front hem
Court: slightly longer than the brush, extending approximately 3 feet behind the waist
Chapel Length: generally 1 1/3 yards or 4 feet from the waistline
Cathedral Length Train: generally 2 1/2 yards or 7 1/2 feet from the waistline
Fabrics
A wedding dress can be made from either silk or polyester. How the fiber is woven determines if the dress is:
Charmeuse: lightweight, semi-lustrous soft, is satin-like to the touch
Chiffon: Delicate, sheer, and transparent, with a soft finish. Often layered because of its transparency
Crepe: Light, soft, and thin, with a crinkled surface
Duchesse Satin: A lightweight hybrid of silk or polyester and rayon woven into a satin finish
Dupioni: A finish similar to shantung, but with thicker, coarser fibers, and a slight sheen
Georgette: Sheer and lightweight fabric with a crepe surface
Mikado: A brand of blended fibers, usually heavier than 100-percent silk
Organza: Crisp and sheer like chiffon, with a stiffer texture similar, but more flowing than tulle
Satin: heavy and smooth with a high sheen on one side
Shantung: Similar to a raw silk, characterized by its rough/nubby texture
Taffeta: Crisp and smooth, with a slight rib
Tulle: Netting (just like ballerina tutus)
From our blog:
Vera Wang Gemma | Real Brides Gallery
By Josie on May 22nd, 2013
