Dictionary

Bridal Gown / Wedding Dress Dictionary –
Choosing the dress of your dreams is difficult enough, and there are so many dresses to choose from, knowing the proper terminology is the key to narrowing down the selection and choosing what best suits your figure. You can search the term either by categories or alphabetically.

A
A-line skirt	Flat across the front and gradually widening to a full hem, generally gathering to a train in back.
Alencon	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.
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.

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