Are you having trouble explaining what style of dress you want? Or having a difficult time understanding what the sales person is telling you? If you’re having trouble keeping track of all the technical terms, you”re not to worry. We know there are just way too many terms when it comes to describing wedding gowns. So I’ve put together a glossary for you and I hope that, by the end of this entry, you’ll learn a few new terms and be able to shop for your wedding dress easier. If there are some terms that I’ve missed, feel free to comment below!
Necklines
Spaghetti Straps – Thin straps that go over shoulders
V-Neck – Shaped like a “V”
Off-the-Shoulder – sits below the shoulders to showcase a woman’s collarbone and shoulders
Sweetheart – Shaped like a heart
Strapless – No straps, gown is kept up by bodice
Halter – Straps go around the back of neck
Sabrina or Bateau – Follows collarbone from shoulder to shoulder
Square – square neckline
T-shirt or Jewel – Round like a t-shirt
Portrait – Wide scoop that sits just on shoulder bone (it’s similar to off-the-shoulder neckline, but made w/ more fabric)
Scoop – Wide “U” shape
Silhouettes
A-line: These dresses are fitted at the waist with a skirt that forms a triangle or “A” shape. A-line wedding dresses are the most common shape. Flattering to many body types.
Ballgown: Has a full, flouncy skirt and a very fitted bodice. Some ballgowns have a corset style, while others have elaborate, full sleeves. Some ballgowns feature a basque waist—a V-shaped dropped waistline. It’s like a traditional princess dress.
Empire: Is cut directly below the bust and usually features a fairly simple skirt with minimal volume. It’s very Greek goddess style-like / medieval look, the empire waistline has a sweet, flirtatious look.
Mermaid: Hugs the waist & hips and flares dramatically from the knee down. It’s a sexy cut; definitely shows off a woman’s curves.
Sheath: Resembling a slip; column or tube shaped gown following the contours of the body. A sheath dress shows every curve because of the lack of embellishments.
Fabrics
Polyester – Man made fabric often blended with silks or made to mimic a certain type of fabric
Silk – A soft and fine fabric that comes in a variety of finishes such as shantung or satin
Satin – Smooth textured fabric very common in wedding gowns. Comes in Silk or Polyester
Silk Mikado – A type of blended silk that is heavier than regular silk
Shantung - Rough textured fabric with lines and “nubs”. Comes in Silk or Polyester
Taffeta – Crisp, rustling fabric
Tulle – Stiff netting similar to organza but stiffer and coarser
Batiste – Semi-transparent fabric
Brocade – Heavy material with a pattern
Charmeuse: lightweight, smooth, semilustrous satiny fabric.
Chiffon – Lightweight, flowing sheer fabric, transparent fabric of silk or rayon with a soft finish.
Crepe – Lightweight porous-like fabric; silk or rayon fabric made with crepe yarn, with a slight pebbly texture
Damask – Medium weight patterned fabric
Duchess Satin – Hybrid of silk and polyester
Dupioni – Thick coarse looking silk
Gazar – Criss cross weaved fabric,linen-like
Illusion – Semi-transparent fabric similar to organza
Organdy – Stiffer transparent fabric
Organza – Sheer fabric similar to tulle but more tightly woven
Rayon – Similar to polyester but more elastic
Linen: a cloth made of flax, that is noted for its strength, coolness,and luster
Eyelet: open-weave embroidery
Voile: fine, sheer fabric; more like linen than cotton
Waistlines
Basque – Waistline dips below natural waist forming a “V” in the center
Dropped - Waistline dips below natural waistline and sits more on hips
Empire – High waistline just under bust
Princess Cut- Many gowns especially a-lines have no defined waist
Natural- Waistline sits between the empire and dropped waistlines.
Asymmetrical Waistline – where it starts either on one side at Empire Waistline and falls to a Natural Waistline on the other side, or starts on one side at a Natural Waistline and falls to the other side down to a Dropped Waistline.
Viels
Blusher: loose veil worn forward over face and, after the ceremony, turned back, over the headpiece; often attached to longer, three-tiered veil
Flyaway: multiple layers that brush the shoulders; usually worn with informal dress
Fingertip: several layers of veiling that touch the fingertips
Ballet-length/Waltz-length: falls to the ankles
Chapel-length: cascades 2 1/3 yards from headpiece
Cathedral-length: cascades at least 3 1/2 yards from headpiece, usually worn with a cathedral train
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