|
A |
|
A-line skirt |
Flat across the front and
gradually widening to a full hem, generally gathering to a
train in back. |
|
Alençon |
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 appliqués with the fabric cut out beneath. |
|
D |
|
Décolletage |
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 Alençon 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. |
|
Wedding band
collar |
Traditional high neckline, often
of lace, encircling the base of the neck. |
|
Wreath |
A circle of flowers that sits above the crown of the head or
lower, encircling the forehead. |
|
Y |
|
Yoke |
Fitted fabric at neckline,
shoulders or hips to which gathered or pleated fabric )or
lace) is joined. |
|
|
|
|
A
| B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T | U |
V |
W | X |
Y | Z |
