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. |
| Appliqué | 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 1 1/3 yards 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. |