Your wedding gown will be the most beautiful dress you purchase. Here are the descriptions that you will hear as you shop the bridal salons.
A-Line—A silhouette characterized by a close fitting bodice and waist and flared hem.
Antebellum waistline—Natural waistline that dips 2 to 2-1/2 inches to a point in the center front.
Basque waistline—Elongated waist about two inches below the natural waist that is defined by a V-shape at the center front.
Bateau neckline—A wide, boat-shaped neckline formed by a straight line between the shoulders, sometimes dipping in the front.
Ballet length—Skirt length that falls at or just above the ankle.
Blusher—Short veil that covers the bride’s face as she enters the wedding ceremony.
Bustle—The gathering of the train caught up in the back of the dress below the waist, usually secured with multiple buttons and hooks and eyes.
Cap sleeve—Short fitted sleeve that just covers the shoulders.
Cathedral train—A long train extending nine feet from the waist.
Chapel train—A train extending four feet from the waist.
Corsetted bodice—A fitted bodice usually reinforced with stays to give support and detail.
Dropped waistline—Waistline positioned several inches below the natural waist.
Empire waistline—Shortened waist style created by attaching the skirt to the bodice just below the bustline.
Fitted point sleeve—Long fitted sleeve, sometimes gathered at the shoulder, which extends to a point on the top of the hand.
Gauntlet—Similar to long glove, but covers only the forearm and elbow, not the hand.
Halter neckline—A bodice that ties behind the neck, leaving the arms, shoulders and back bare.
Illusion yoke—Transparent lace or netting covering the neck and shoulders.
Intermission hemline—Hemline that is floor length in back and mid-calf length in front.
Jewel neckline—Neckline that circles the base of the neck.
Leg-of-mutton sleeve—A sleeve that’s very full at the shoulder and tapers sharply to a tight wrist.
Mermaid or trumpet skirt—Skirt flared at or below the knee.
Peplum—A short overskirt or ruffle attached at the waistline.
Portrait neckline—Neckline that begins just inside the shoulder and falls to the bustline in the center.
Queen Anne neckline—Sculptured design that is high on the sides and back with an angled open bodice with a sweetheart shape.
