Girlies we are going to get down to the nitty gritty details of wedding dresses today. We are talking cuts and silhouettes, necklines, and trains. I want to prepare all you brides out there that are now beginning your search for your perfect wedding dress. Here are all the different variations and the ‘dress lingo’ so you know what you are looking for and what you are talking about!
Dress Cuts and Silhouettes:
Even though there are so many variations on gown silhouettes, there are only five basic ones;
A-line – This is the most popular silhouette. It is universally flattering and comes with many shapes from a subtle modified A-line to full circle silhouette. The top of the dress gracefully hugs the natural curves of your upper body and then it flares out into an “A” shape as it falls.
Sheath – This silhouette is favoured by brides who do not what bulky wedding gowns and have the body type for it. It either contours the body from top to bottom, closely following the line of the body (called constructed sheaths) or falls nearly straight down from the shoulders to hem (called soft sheaths).
Ball gown – The ball gown silhouette is similar to the A-Line; only it has a much fuller skirt that flows to the floor. There are “flat-front ball gowns,” which have skirts that are smooth and seamless in front and fully pleated in the back or a dropped-waist ball gown, where the bodice is fitted through the hips.
Trumpet or Mermaid – These are form-fitting silhouettes that flare to the floor usually from the knee (mermaid silhouette) or mid-thigh (trumpet silhouette).
Empire – The Empire silhouette has a high waist look, often with a seam under the bust line and typically a slimmer skirt.
Photo credits to Completely Weddings
Necklines:
Necklines on your wedding dress are an important feature. It can make a difference in your appearance. How to choose a right neckline for your wedding dress? Think about the clothes you wear daily. Look through your tops and the necklines. Think about what makes you feel comfortable. Remember to experiment and try on different necklines.
Photo credits to Simple Wedding Dress
Trains:
Sweep/brush – If you like the idea of a train but you want something that’s not too formal then a sweep or brush train could be for you. It extends around one-and-a-half feet from the waist to the end of the dress.
Watteau – Lovely and simple, a soft train that sits at the shoulder and falls to where the dress ends.
Court – Just like the sweep train the court train is about a feet long and is attached at the waist.
Chapel – A very popular train, the chapel train is between three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half feet from the waist.
Cathedral – Traditional and formal the cathedral train extends six-and-a-half to seven-and-a-half feet from the waist and has a very dramatic effect.
Panel – Great for the indecisive bride, the panel train is just a panel of fabric, around a foot wide and can be as long or short as a court of chapel train. Usually it’s detachable too.
Monarch/Royal – A show-stopping train, the monarch or royal train can be 12 feet or longer from the waist. Because of its length you will need page boys or flower girls to hold it when you walk – but that all adds to the drama!
Photo credits to One Wedding
Hope this bridal attire 101 will come in handy for your future shopping trips girls!
xoxo
Chaufa