|
A |
| A-line skirt |
Flat across the front and gradually widening to a full hem, generally gathering to a train in back. |
| Alen鏾n |
A delicate floral or leaf design on a fine net background, outlined with heavy threads to define the pattern and add more dimension. |
| Ankle length |
Barely reveals the ankles, just a bit shorter than floor length. |
| Antebellum waist |
Natural waistline that dips 2 or 2 1/2 inches to a point in the center front. |
| Appliqu? |
Decoration created by attaching pieces of fabric or lace to the gown. |
| Apron |
Overskirt which joins in the back of the gown at the waist, but not at the hem. |
| Asymmetrical waist |
Begins at the natural waistline and falls to one side. |
|
B |
| Ballet skirt |
Full skirt that reveals the ankle. |
| Ball gown |
A natural, basque, or dropped waistline and very full skirt |
| Ballerina length |
Hemline falls to just above the ankles. |
| Balloon sleeve |
Very large poufed sleeve extending from the shoulder to as far as the wrist. |
| Basque waistline |
Elongated waist, approximately 2 inches below the natural waist. May dip to a point in the center front. |
| Bateau (or boat) neckline |
Generally forms a straight line across the shoulders, often dipping a bit in front. May or may not reveal the shoulders. Usually trimmed with lace. |
| Battenberg |
A heavy lace made with patterns of linen braid and tape connected with decorative linen stitching. |
| Bell sleeve |
Narrow at top, the sleeve is wet into a normal-sized armhole that flares at its bottom edge like a bell. |
| Bertha collar |
Nine to 18 inches of fabric or lace attached all around neckline (or yoke). May or may not reveal the shoulders. |
| Bird cage |
Stiff, wide-mesh veil pinned to the crown of the head, covering the face and ears to just below the chin. |
| Bishop sleeve |
Gathered and full to the cuff (which may be elongated), but not as full as a poet sleeve. |
| Blouson |
Fabric is gathered just at or below the waist, creating a oft fullness. |
| Blusher veil |
A short, single veil worn forward to cover the bride's face as she enters the ceremony and worn pushed back afterward, attached to a longer veils. |
| Bouffant skirt |
Very full. |
| Brush train |
The shortest train, just a bit of extra length that brushes the floor. |
| Bubble skirt |
Attached to the lining at the hemline to create a very full effect. May be used with any waist, can be any length, can even be a double-double. |
| Bustle |
Exaggerated gathering of fabric, or a gathering of fabric caught up with detail, at the back of the gown. |
| Bustier |
A bodice style which has no straps or sleeves. Many religious sites do not allow them and you will need to buy a coordinating jacket for your service. Also known as a Strapless or Corset |
|
C |
| Cap sleeve |
Short, fitted sleeve, perhaps of lace, that barely covers the top of the arm. |
| Cathedral train |
Extending a full 2 1/2 yards from the waist. |
| Chantilly |
A web-like floral pattern on a lace background outlined with silk threads; soft to the touch. |
| Chapel train |
Falling about 2 yards (75 inches) from the waist. |
| Circular skirt |
Attached smoothly at the waist and falling to form a a complete circle at the hemline. |
| Court train |
Slightly shorter than chapel length. |
| Cut-outs |
See-through effect created by lace appliqu閟 with the fabric cut out beneath. |
| D |
| D閏olletage |
Plunging neckline that reveals cleavage. |
| Detached train |
Joined to the gown with hooks and eyes or velcro. Usually full at top. |
| Details |
Small ornaments to the gown, such as bows, special beading or embroidery. |
| Dolman sleeve |
Joined with the bodice above the elbow. Fullness tapers down to a fitted forearm. |
| Drop Waist |
A good waistline to help add height, this straight waistline falls 3 to 5 inches below the Natural Waist |
| E |
| Effect |
Term that describes impression created by designer's use of various details. |
| Empire |
A high waist that starts just beneath a fitted bodice and a slim skirt. |
| Empire waistline |
Skirt attached to the bodice just below the bustline. |
| F |
| Fingertip veil |
This term describes a tier of veiling that is approximately 29" to 42" in length. It comes to your fingertips. |
| Fitted bodice |
Designed to hug the body. (Can be very restrictive and uncomfortable) |
| Fitted sleeve |
Traditional long sleeve with very little or no fullness. |
| Floor length |
Hemline falls just 1/2 or 1 1/2 inches from the floor. |
| Flounce |
A wide piece of fabric or lace, gathered and attached at the hem. |
| Fly-away |
Multi-layers that brush the shoulders, usually worn with an informal dress. |
| Full skirt |
Slightly less full than bouffant. |
|
G |
| Gauntlet |
Wrist and arm covering of lace or fabric that replaces gloves. |
| Gibson sleeve |
Full at the shoulder, although more controlled that leg-o'-mutton, and fitted at the wrist. |
| Godet |
Triangular piece of fabric inserted into a seam to give fullness or shape. |
| Guipure |
A heavy lace designed to show large patterns over a coarse mesh background. |
|
H |
| Half hat |
A small hat covering half or less of the crown. |
| Halo headpiece |
A fabric-and-wire band that circles the forehead (may be decorated with pearls, sequins, or flowers). |
| Halter neckline |
Fastens at the back of the neck, plunging down into a V-front, leaving the back bare. |
| Handkerchief hem |
A tea length skirt made of panels which end in points at the hem. |
|
I |
| Illusion neckline |
A transparent panel or yoke attached to the bodice that extends from the bust to the collar; constructed of tulle, net, or lace. |
| Intermission or HI-LO |
Hemline falls to the mid-calf in front, floor length in back. |
|
J |
| Jewel neckline |
Circles the natural neckline, usually not trimmed with lace. |
| Juliet cap |
A small cap that hugs the back of the head. |
| Juliet sleeve |
A long sleeve with a poufed top and fitted lower arm. |
|
L |
| Leg-of-Mutton Sleeve |
Very full puff at the shoulder with a fitted forearm. |
| Lyon |
An intricate, ornamental design delicately stitched onto a net background; the pattern is outlined in silk or cotton. |
|
M |
| Mantilla |
Lace-trimmed veiling that frames the face and is usually secured with a comb or hairpins. |
| Mermaid |
A body-hugging style with a skirt that flares at or just below the knee. |
| Mini length |
Skirt ends above the knees. Some designs include detachable overskirts which may be removed for the reception. |
|
N |
| Natural waistline |
Bodice and skirt of the gown join at the natural waist. |
|
P |
| Panniers |
Exaggerated gathers, possibly supported by a cage, worn over the hips with a flat front. |
| Peek-a-boo sleeve |
Puff sleeve with different fabrics or skin showing through from beneath. |
| Peplum |
A short overskirt or flounce attached at the waist. |
| Picture hat |
A wide-brimmed hat usually decorated with lace, pearls, or sequins. |
| Pillbox |
A round, structured, brimless hat worn on the top of the head. |
| Poet sleeve |
Pleated at the shoulder line with fullness through the sleeve to the cuff. |
| Point D'esprit |
Oval or square dots woven in a pattern on net fabric. |
| Point sleeve |
Any long sleeve that ends below the wrist in a point of fabric or lace on the top of the hand. |
| Pouf |
Fabric of an overskirt caught up with lace, beading or ribbons. |
| Pouf veil |
Short, gathered veiling attached to a headpiece, usually worn with an informal dress. |
| Pouf sleeve |
A short, full and gathered sleeve; can be worn on or off the shoulder. |
| Portrait neckline |
Wraps around the shoulders leaving them completely bare. |
| Princess |
Fitted, multiple vertical panels extending in an A-line from the bust or shoulders to the hem with no defined waistline. |
| Profile headpiece |
A floral comb worn asymmetrically on one side of the head and adorned with lace, pearls, or crystals. |
| Puff sleeve |
Very full, short sleeve that ends above elbow. May be worn on or off the shoulder. |
|
Q |
| Queen Anne neckline |
Higher on the sides and back of neck, open to the bra strap line, and ending in a sweetheart shape. |
| Queen Elizabeth neckline |
High portrait collar that stands up in the back and closes in a vee in front. |
|
R |
| Raised waistline |
Approximately 1 inch above the natural waistline. |
| Royal train |
Very longest train length, extending more than 3 yards from the waist. |
|
S |
| Sabrina neckline |
Straight neckline that begins 2 inches inside the shoulder line, often trimmed with lace. |
| Schiffli |
Intricate floral pattern (similar to Alen鏾n lace, but lighter) embroidered directly onto the gown. |
| Scoop neckline |
A rounded, low neckline, dipping from the shoulders to just above the bustline. |
| Sheath |
Straight, fitted gown , often floor length. May be worn with a detachable train. |
| Shirred waistline |
Gathered fabric that creates a horizontal panel of 3 or more inches at the waist. |
| Snood |
Netting (may be decorated with pearls, sequins, or flowers) worn at the nape of the neck to cover the hair (usually in a chignon). |
| Square neckline |
A half-Square or rectangle shaped neckline. |
| Strapless |
A bodice style which has no straps or sleeves. Many religious sites do not allow them and you will need to buy a coordinating jacket for your service. Also known as a Bustier or Corset |
| Strapless neckline |
Reveals the shoulders and usually has a matching cover-up to be worn during the wedding service. |
| Street |
Hemline falls to just cover the knee. |
| Sweep train |
Just longer than a brush train. |
| Sweetheart neckline |
Open neckline that begins 2 inches inside the shoulder line and shaped like a heart. |
|
T |
| Tea length |
Hemline falls several inches above the ankles. |
| Tiara |
Ornamental crown of pearls, crystals, rhinestones, or lace worn on top of the head. |
| Tiered skirt |
Falls in a series of multiple layers of graduated length. |
| Tulip sleeve |
A set-in sleeve with overlapping fabric that curves into a petal-like shape. |
| Train |
Fabric of the gown that trails behind the bride. |
| Trumpet (or mermaid) skirt |
Flares at or below the knee. |
|
V |
| Venise |
Heavy floral or leaf pattern in needle point with motifs connected in lines. |
|
W |
| Waistline |
Point at which the bodice and skirt are joined |
| Watteau |
Train that is attached at the shoulders, rather than at the waist, of the gown. |
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