Styles/Technology of Bridal Gowns
LENGTHS
Ankle Length - Reveals the ankles, slightly shorter than floor length.
Floor Length - Skirt is 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches from the floor.
Short Length - Skirt is at knee level or above.
Tea Length - Hemline is several inches above the ankles.
STYLES
A-Line - Two vertical seams follow the A shape, starting from the shoulders and falling to the skirt which then flares out.
Ball Gown - A tight, fitted bodice and definite waistline with a very full skirt.
Basque - Waistline An elongated waist, about two inches below the natural waist, that may dip to a point at the center point.
Bouffant - A very, very full skirt, most often accompanied by a hoop slip
Box-Pleated Skirt - A natural waist, with deep pleats of parallel fabric folds.
Empire - a very high waist (right under the bust) with a fairly slim skirt
Mermaid - A very slim-fitting dress that ends in a little fishtail skirt
Natural Waist - The bodice and skirt are joined by a seam at your natural waistline
Princess Style - A fitted shape defined by vertical seams. Princess style has a seamless waist & flares slightly to hem
Redingcoat Skirt - An A-line or sheath with an overskirt, giving the appearance of an open skirt
Sheath - Like the mermaid, this very modern style is form-fitting, usually with a flare at the bottom
Shirred Waistline - A waistline characterized by gathered fabric that creates a horizontal panel at the waist
Tiered Skirt - This style features a series of layers or panels that fall in graduated lengths to the floor
TRAINS
Sweep Train - The shortest train, it extends back 8 to 12 inches after touching the floor
Chapel Train - Extends 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet from the waist
Semi-Cathedral Train - Extends 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 feet from the waist
Cathedral Train - Extends 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 feet from the waist
Extended Cathedral/Monarch Train - Extends 12 feet (or more) from the waist
Watteau Train - A train attached at your shoulders instead of at the waistline (can be sheer like a veil)
If your dress does not have a detachable train, you will need to bustle it so you can move around freely at the reception. This entails pulling the train up and attaching it to your dress by tiny hooks sewn into the back of the gown and the train
VEILS
Ballet/Waltz - Falls to the ankles. This is also becoming popular, in simple, multiple layers
Blusher - A short veil worn over the face. After the ceremony, it is turned back over the headpiece. The blusher can often be attached to a longer veil or a hat
Cathedral-Length - The longest of veils, generally at least 3 feet in length. Trails behind the bride several feet and attaches to headpiece or waist
Fingertip - Several layers of veiling that extend to the fingertips
Fly-Away - Multiple layers of veiling that brush the shoulders. Usually worn with an informal, ankle-length dress, but is becoming more and more popular with all kinds of gowns
SLEEVES
Cap - The shortest of sleeves, it traditionally covers the shoulder only
Fitted - Very close to the arm, no excess material
Juliet Fitted - A tightly fitted sleeve with a small pouf at the shoulder
Leg of Mutton - Very full at the shoulder. The sleeve remains full until it narrows to become very fitted at the forearm
Melon - An extravagantly rounded sleeve that extends from shoulder to elbow
Off-the-Shoulder - The sleeves have a sort of "fallen" look, like they fell off your shoulders
Poet - A fitted long sleeve with an outward flare just above the wrists
Spaghetti Straps - Simple straps between 1/8" and 1" wide
Three-Quarter - A sleeve that ends between the elbow and middle forearm- can be fitted or loose
Tulip - A cap sleeve made of overlapping fabric that curves into a petal like shape over the top of the arm
NECKLINES
Boat (bateau) - Straight across shoulders with a slight dip in front
Band - Like a mock turtleneck, this high neckline circles the neck
Decolletage - A revealing, deep, plunging neckline
Halter - The neckline scoops in front and ties behind the neck, leaving your arms bare
Illusion - Yoke Has transparent fabric from the neckline to the bust line
Jewel - A high neckline which follows the natural shape of your shoulders and neck
Keyhole Back - A tear-shaped opening, either small and close to the nape of the neck or larger and dominating the back of a gown
Queen Anne - A high-standing collar with a sweet-heart style cut in front
Scoop Neck - A low, curved neckline cut deep in the back, front, or both
Square - Forms a half-square around the neck
Strapless - Neckline A neckline designed to reveal the shoulders, often designed with a co-ordinating jacket or wrap
Sweetheart - Heart shaped. There are many variations of this look.
Gowns and dresses for any occasion or special event, bridal shops, dress shops, bridal gowns, mother of the bride and mother of the groom dresses, flower girl dresses, prom gowns, maid of honor and bridesmaids gowns in Horseheads, Elmira, Columbia Crossroads, Canisteo, Corning, Addison, Big Flats, Ithaca, Cortland, Bath, Hammondsport, Binghamton, Painted Post, Hector, Watkins Glen, Montour Falls, Waverly, and surrounding towns in the Southern Tier NY, Finger Lakes Region NY, Upstate NY or Central NY (CNY) or Troy, New Albany, Sayre, Athens, Wellsboro, Mansfield, PA, Northern PA, Northern Tier PA
