WEDDING DRESS SHAPES & STYLES
There are five general styles of dresses to choose from:
- A-line. This dress-line is the most accommodating, whether you are tall or short, big or slim. The gown gently flares from the shoulders down, providing a moderate width base.
- Empire. Similar to the A-line, however the upper-body features a form-fitted bosom and is high-waisted. A variety of necklines complement this gown. The empire silhouette is best for women who have medium to large busts and wider waistlines.
- Sheath. Simple elegance is achieved as this shape follows the natural body curves from shoulder to hem. They are often cut on the bias, which means they will cling to your shape. Most are strapless and even backless. A very sexy dress for very sexy bodies.
- Mermaid. Similar to the sheath, except it flares at or below the knee. Again, a very sexy form-fitting dress.
- Ball gown. The Cinderella dress, with a fitted corset bodice and a full, multi-layered skirt. The waistlines are either "V" shaped, natural, higher than natural, or lower on your hips. This gown shape is great for those of us who are not fond of our hips, buttocks or thighs.
WEDDING DRESS LENGTHS
The length of your wedding dress ties in with your overall style, making this decision fairly easy. Formal ceremonies demand floor-length gowns, while informal ceremonies allow for variations.
- Floor length : 1/2 to 1 inch off the floor.
- Ballerina length : just above the ankle, usually on wide, full skirts.
- Tea length : hemmed at the lower calf or mid ankle.
- Street length : hemmed just below the knee.
- Intermission length : longer in back, shorter in front.
- Asymmetrical : longer on one side than the other.
- Mini : no explanation needed here!
NECKLINES The all-important neckline becomes a statement of your personality type.
- Off-the-shoulder : varies on how much shoulder is exposed.
- Bertha : similar to off-the-shoulder, with a wide collar that crosses in front of the busts.
- Bateau : straight across the chest, just below the collarbone.
- Jewel : High cut, circles the base of the neck.
- Sweetheart : From the shoulders, dips to a heart-shaped line that accentuates cleavage.
- V-neck : Variations range from conservative to daring.
- Halter : 2 panels of fabric go up from the waist or bust and meet at the back of the neck.
- Scoop : A rounded line from shoulder-to-shoulder, down to the collar-line or bust-line.
- Square : A half-square or rectangle version of the scoop.
- Sleeveless : No sleeves, and the back of the gown attaches on the shoulder with the front.
- Strapless : The shoulders are completely bare. A decorative option is know as a crumb catcher; which is an extra panel of fabric that attaches at or above the bustline and protrudes away from the chest slightly.
 BACKLINES
And of course there's the back of your weddng dress where you'll find another opportunity to declare your personality! From modest to daring, you'll find lots of creative cuts. Here is an overview:
- Backless : Little, if any, support. Common on halter dresses, but also on contemporary designs.
- Scoop : A rounded line that curves from shoulder to shoulder in a modest or dramatic fashion.
- Surplice : Similar to the front of a halter design, 2 panels of fabric, usually overlapped at the waist, come up from the waist to the shoulders, exposing a "V" shape on the back.
- Keyhole : A small cutout that exposes some flesh.
 WEDDING DRESS BODICE
The bodice of the wedding dress is defined as the part that covers your waist, torso and bust. Here is where you get to flaunt it or disguise it!
- Corset : A snug-fitting, contoured bodice, often with sleeveless and/or full-skirted gowns. A version that ends in a "V" shaped waist is called a basque waistline.
- Empire : The waistline is directly under the bust.
- Tank : Sleeveless bodice with scoop neck and armholes.
- Princess : Follows the contour of the body with vertical panels of fabric.
- Halter : Either 2 panels of fabric rising from the waist, attaching behind the neck, or 1 panel angling in from the arms to meet a snug collar.
- One-shoulder : Asymmetrical bodice that exposes one shoulder completely, with a strap over the other.
SLEEVES
If you choose to have sleeves, there are a variety of styles you will find to help create that perfect wedding dress.
For short sleeves, there are
- Cap sleeves are short, fitted sleeves that cap the shoulder.
- Tulip sleeves are short, set in sleeves that have 2 panels of fabric that overlap at the shoulder.
- Balloon sleeves are short, puffy sleeves, worn on or off the shoulder.
For long sleeves, there are
- Fitted sleeves
- Juliete sleeves are puffy on the shoulder and fitted on the arm.
- Leg o-mutton sleeves are full from the shoulder to just below the elbow, then fitted.
- Poet sleeves are full all the way to the wrist, then gathered, ending in ruffles or pleats.
- Bell sleeves are tapered, full sleeves that are open and flare at the wrist.
EMBELISHMENTS
There are a variety of ways wedding dresses are decorated to dazzle and delight. For the minimalist who is seeking simple elegance, embelishments are not a consideration, but for those who dream of gowns with light catching sequins and jewels, this is the fun part of buying and wearing a wedding dress. When shopping for a wedding gown with embelishments, note how they are attached to the dress. Embelishments can usually be added or taken off to create the perfect look for you but some designers use glue to attach beading for instance so check to see what you are buying.
Various types of embelishments can include:
- Appliqués are beautiful fabric cutouts that often include sequins, embroidery and beading. The appliqué is sewn onto the wedding dress.
- Beads are made of a variety of material, from pearls, crystals and glass to metals and gems. They can create patterns and/or borders. Beads offer a wonderful opportunity to bring subtle coloring to the gown, such as pink, lavender, blue, green, silver and gold.
- Embroidery consists of patterns such as flowers or monograms, ranging from prominent to subtle.
- Jewels are perfect embelishments for those who want to dazzle. Whether faux or authentic, adding diamonds, emeralds, rubies and/or sapphires gives gowns or veils a striking presence.
- Lace is a delicate embelishment that is either used as accents or covers the entire skirt and bodice.
 TRAINS
Trains come either as part of the wedding gown or as a detachable unit. It gives a wedding gown a romantic, regal look and typically complements a formal wedding. The longer the train, the more formal the wedding. They provide beauty during the ceremony and through the first dance, but are best bustled or removed for the remainder of the reception without drastically affecting the beauty of the wedding dress.
- Sweep : A modest, short train that may or may not touch the floor.
- Court : A modest train that extends up to 3 feet from the hem of the gown.
- Chapel : A notable train, extending 31/2 to 5 feet from the hemline.
- Cathedral : A formal train, extending 6 to 8 feet from the waist.
- Extended or royal cathedral : As long as you want!
- Watteau : A train that attaches to the shoulders or the top of a strapless gown.
FABRICS
Familiarize yourself with what designers are commonly using to make gowns. Each fabric gives a different effect to the wedding gown, however, all convey a rich look.
- Brocade : A heavy, dense fabric with 3-dimensional designs
- Charmeuse : A lightweight fabric with a soft texture and semi-sheen.
- Chiffon : A delicate, semi-transparent fabric.
- Damask : Similar to brocade, but lighter.
- Illusion : A translucent netting.
- Organza : A sheer, flowing fabric that is somewhat stiffer than chiffon.
- Satin : A heavy, dense fabric with sheen on one side and dull on the back.
- Silk : A natural fiber made from silkworm cocoons. A variety of fabrics come from silk threads, including duchesse, mikado, shantung and zymboline.
- Taffeta : A crisp, papery fabric with a semi-sheen.
- Tulle : A netting made of silk, nylon or rayon. It varies in texture according to its use.
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