Wedding Dress Glossary

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.

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A

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

Ankle length Barely reveals the ankles, just a bit shorter than floor length.

B

Ball gown A natural, basque, or dropped waistline and very full skirt.

Basque waistline Elongated waist, approximately 2 inches below the natural waist. May dip to a point in the center front.

Bateau 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.

Bell sleeve Narrow at top, the sleeve is wet into a normal sized armhole that flares at its bottom edge like a bell.

C

Cap sleeves 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.

Chapel train Falling about 2 yards (75 inches) from the waist. Circular skirt Attached smoothly at the waist and falling to form a complete circle at the hemline.

Cocktail Length For the super-sassy bride, this skirt ends mid-thigh and is guaranteed to up the wow-factor.

D

Detachable train Joined to the gown with hooks and eyes or velcro. Usually full at top.

Drop Waist A good waistline to help add height, this straight waistline falls 3 to 5 inches below the Natural Waist.

E

Empire Waist An Empire silhouette is created by a woman wearing a high-waisted dress, gathered near or just under the bust with a long, loose skirt, which skims the body.

F

Floor length Hemline falls just 1/2 or 1 1/2 inches from the floor.

H

Halter top Fastens at the back of the neck, plunging down into a V-front, leaving the back bare.

High Collar A band collar that extends up the neck. The mandarin version of this style is taken from traditional Asian dress, and doesn't quite meet at the centre front.

Hi-Lo A variation of the intermission, the hi-lo features an intermission hem on the front, and a floor-length (or longer) hem in the back. This is actually a popular look for bridesmaids as well.

J

Jewel Circles the natural neckline, usually not trimmed with lace.

Juliet A long sleeve with a short puff at the shoulder that's fitted on the lower part of the arm. In a way, it's quite Shakespearean and adds a lot of character to the dress.

K

Knee Length Another great look for bridesmaids or for the casual bride, this style of skirt ends just below the knee.

Keyhole Neckline keyhole neckline is akin to halter necklines, but the converging diagonal lines meet in front of the neck, forming a "keyhole". More generally, a neckline that features a central hole, usually just below the collar bones. These necklines are seen infrequently.

L

Long/Illusion Long sleeves on gowns aren't a prevalent as they used to be, but one popular option is the 'illusion' sleeve, made of a totally sheer fabric, which will make you feel covered up, though you won't necessarily look it.

M

Mermaid skirt Flares at or below the knee.

N

Natural waistline Bodice and skirt of the gown join at the natural waist.

O

Off the Shoulder This neckline sits below the shoulders, with sleeve-like straps that cover part of the upper arm. Shows off your collarbone and shoulders.

one-shoulder Asymmetrical linear necklines that cut across the torso diagonally, usually from one shoulder to under the other arm.

P

Panel Train A separate simple panel of fabric about a foot wide that acts as a train. It can be court or chapel length and is often detachable to add versatility.

Patel This is a short sleeve that criss-crosses over the bicep of the arm and is also known as the tulip sleeve.

Portrait neckline Wraps around the shoulders leaving them completely bare.

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

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.

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 Sweetheart Neckline A low-cut neckline shaped like the top half of a heart, accentuating the décolletage. Often done with an overlay of sheer material that rises higher, elongating the torso and neck.

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.

T-shirt Ending midway between the elbow and the wrist, this sleeve style has made a big comeback in the fashion world. It's an elegant look in bridal wear as it's cool, yet covered.

Train Fabric of the gown that trails behind the bride.

V

V-neck The neckline dips down at the front in a flattering V, elongating the neckline and de-emphasising the bust line.

W

Waistline Point at which the bodice and skirt are joined.

Watteau Train Train that is attached at the shoulders, rather than at the waist, of the gown.

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