Fashion Glossary: From Ballgowns to Waltz, Fashion Terms to Know For Your Wedding

Naturally, you want the perfect dress for your special day. But how to choose? Here’s a handy list of terms you’ll encounter as you try on dozens of dresses in search of the one that will make him swoon.

Silhouettes

BALLGOWN: This silhouette has a very full skirt with a fitted bodice and waist. Best for: pear shapes, full figures and tall, slim builds.

BASQUE: More a type of waistline, this style dips below the natural waistline and forms a V. It can be coupled with most skirt types. Best for: pear shapes.

DROPPED: The bodice of this dress type is fitted to the hips. Best for: hourglass figures.

EMPIRE: This silhouette has a small, scooped bodice with a high waistline that sits under the bust. Itรขย€ย™s coupled with a slender skirt usually overlaid with sheer fabric. Best for: figures with thick waists.

MERMAID: A style that is fitted to the knee; the skirt then dramatically flares out and touches the ground. Best for: slim, tall builds.

PRINCESS OR A-LINE: The most classic look, these dresses have fitted bodices with vertical seams that flare out at the waist into a relatively full skirt. Best for: all types.

SHEATH: A narrow style that hugs the bust, waist and hips. Best for: slim, tall figures and petites.

Trains

BRUSH: Also known as a รขย€ยœsweepรขย€ย train. The back hem is lower by a few inches, barely brushing the floor.

CATHEDRAL: The back hem is 7-8 feet from the waistline and usually comes with a bustling option.

CHAPEL: The back hem is 4 feet from the waistline.

MONARCH TRAIN: Also known as the รขย€ยœroyalรขย€ย train, the back hem falls 9 feet or more from the waistline and is either detachable or can be bustled.

SEMI-CHAPEL: Back hem of the dress is 5-6 feet from the waistline.

Bustles and Veils

BLUSHER: A single-layered veil worn over the face during the aisle procession, then removed or flipped over; usually an addition to other veil styles.

BUSTLE: Created by pulling up and fastening the train at the back of the wedding dress, often with hooks and eyes or buttons. It creates a bunched look and pulls the train off the ground.

CATHEDRAL: Regal, full veiling that trails one to three yards beyond the dress.

CHAPEL: A multi-layered veil style that extends to the floor, falling 7 feet from the headpiece.

DOUBLE-TIER: A layered veil of two distinct lengths, usually composed of an elbow- and cathedral-length layers.

ELBOW: An A-line veil that ends anywhere between the elbow and the wrist.

FINGERTIP: This veil ends at the fingers and is usually relatively full.

FLYAWAY: A wispy and multi-layered veil that brushes the shoulders.

FOUNTAIN: This veil is gathered at the crown of the head and cascades down around the brideรขย€ย™s face. Itรขย€ย™s usually shoulder to elbow length.

FRENCH BUSTLE: Differs from a regular bustle in that it fastens the train underneath the top layer of the wedding dress, rather than pulling up the train to secure it.

MANTILLA: Distinctly Spanish in style, this veil is made of a circular piece of lace that frames the face.

SWEEP: A very full veil that touches the floor and extends 8-12 inches beyond the gown.

WALTZ: This veil stops between the knee and ankle.

Necklines

ASYMMETRICAL: The bodice has a strap over one shoulder and leaves the other bare.

BATEAU: Also called the Sabrina, this neckline follows the curve of the collarbone from shoulder to shoulder.

HALTER: A sleeveless, backless bodice that wraps or ties around the neck.

JEWEL: High and round, itรขย€ย™s also known as the T-shirt neckline.

OFF-THE-SHOULDER: Traditional-looking straps drape across the upper arm instead of resting on the shoulders.

PORTRAIT: Slightly scooped with extra material framing the neckline.

SCOOP: A deep U-shaped neckline.

SLEEVELESS: The bodice cuts straight across the chest with no straps.

SQUARE: The shoulder straps and neckline meet to create a square shape.

SWEETHEART: A heart-shaped neckline.

V-NECK: A steep drop from the shoulders to form a point in the middle of the bust defines the neckline.

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