Bridal Style Glossary
When whatcha-ma-call-it won't do. This helpful bridal style glossary gives the couture bride the vocabulary to discuss  bridal dress styles and preferences with a bridal seamstress.
 
When a woman sets her heart on a fairy tale wedding, she often enters a world of unknowns. Dress styles, fabrics, necklines, sleeve lengths - all introduce a sometimes new vocabulary.

Inexperience with common styles, fabrics and sewing terms can reduce even the most intelligent woman to stammering and pointing; she doesn't know what it's called but she knows it when she sees it.

Scarlett's Closet offers the following guide to help you get what you want without strangling the seamstress.

Silhouette

A-Line
Skirt gradually widens from waistline to floor

Ball Gown
Very full skirt that gathers at about the natural waistline




Mermaid
A slim, body-hugging dress with a skirt that flares out below the knee. Also called a trumpet skirt or "fit and flare."

 
 
Princess Line
Dress style with a slightly flared design; accentuates the waist, but doesn’t hug the body.

Redingote
A dress or coat, opened along the front to reveal an under dress or petticoat

Sheath
Silhouette of straight, slim lines.



Neckline



Bateau
Follows a line curving slightly downward below the collar bone

Bib Front
High, square neckline with tank straps


Bertha / Cape
Cape of fabric or lace attached to neckline for shawl effect.

Court/Square Neckline
Shaped like a half square

Cowl
A neckline featuring a piece of material attached to a garment draped loosely in a swag from shoulder to shoulder at the front or back neckline, frequently cut on the bias

Halter
Typically a backless dress with collar or strap wrapping behind neck

Queen Anne
High on sides and back; open bodice in sweetheart shape.

Queen Elizabeth
High collar stands up in back, comes to a closed V in front.

Portrait
A collar that wraps the shoulders

Sabrina
Begins two inches inside shoulder; straight across front.

Scoop
Low, rounded neckline

Strapless
Bodice without straps or sleeves

Sweetheart
Dips to a heart shape at bustline

Vee
Dips to a V in the center front

Wedding Band Collar
High collar, fits close to neck


Waistline

Antebellum
Dress has natural waistline that dips two inches to a point in the center front.

Basque (Bosk)
Waistline of dress is two inches below the natural waist; dips to a point in the center
front. and back

Curved Basque
Similar to Basque, though rounded at the center front. Also known as Antebellum





Empire (Om Peer)
High waisted with short bodice. Skirt begins two or more inches above natural waist.


Peblum
Short flounce or overskirt attached at waistline.

Shirred (sherd)
Fabric is gathered to make a horizontal panel



Sleeve

Bishop
Full sleeve that ends in gathered band at wrist.

Capelet
Falls several inches below elbow in soft flare.

Dolman (dole-mon)
Top of sleeve is wide, cut in one piece with shoulder.

Gibson
Full at shoulder, fitted at wrist.

Hug the Shoulder
Falls at the apex of the shoulder

Leg-o-Mutton
Very full puff at shoulder, tightly fitted on the forearm.

Off Shoulder
Below shoulders with sleeves

Peek-A-Boo
Sheer, puffed sleeve; different fabric showing through underneath.

Poet
Pleated at shoulder; very full from shoulder to cuff.


Train

Brush
Very short train that just sweeps floor during walk.

Capelet
Flows from back of shoulders.

Cathedral
Extends approximately 2 1/2 yards from waistline

Chapel
Extends approximately 1 1/2 yards from waistline

Court
Extends a little under 3 feet from waist.

Monarch/Castillion
Extends approximately 3 yards from waistline

 
 
 
Semi-Cathedral
Extends approximately 2 yards from waistline

Sweep
Slightly longer than brush train - about 8 inches from the hem.

Watteau  (WAH-toe)
Train falls from back yoke of dress.

Regardless what you call it, it's your time to shine, Cinderella. Have a ball!


(c) Copyright 2007 - 2012 Pamela Picard Austin TX All rights reserved.

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