"> WEDDING GOWN STYLES - Weddings & Honeymoons
 
TEL : 416-653-4986    EMAIL : BARWED@ROGERS.COM
MAIN MENU
Home
Weddings & Honeymoons
GROOM magazine
GIFTS magazine
WINES For Weddings
DESTINATION WEDDINGS
CARIBBEAN Weddings
ROMANTIC GETAWAYS
NEWLYWEDS magazine
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE
FATHER OF THE BRIDE
WEDDING SHOWS
WEDDING DIRECTORY
SITEMAP


Celebrity Weddings

Backyard wedding for Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and bride
Celebrity Engagements

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
Real Weddings
Maid of Honour
Tips for Choosing
Bridesmaids
Bridesmaid Fashions
Wedding Guests
Attractions & Events
Movie & TV Weddings
- Advertisements -











| WEDDING GOWN STYLES
Helping you choose a gown style



SILHOUETTES

A-line - Originated by Christian Dior, skirt flares away from body from under arms to hem; fitting through shoulders. similar to the princess-line.

Ball gown - Narrow-waisted shape with a full, bell-shaped skirt supported by petticoats or hoops.

Empire - High waisted, with the skirt falling directly under the bust-line.

Princess-line - Fitted through shoulders and bodice, skirt flares gently outward; no waistline.

Sheath - Svelte, narrow-fitting shape that contours the body; no waistline.

Suit - Modern shape finished with a jacket or coat.


LENGTHS

Ballerina - Falls to or slightly below the center of the calf.

Floor - Most traditional length, rests about an inch from the floor.

Knee - Nontraditional length.

Mini - Above the knee; often chosen by second-time brides.


WAISTLINES

Basque - Sits at he natural waistline in the back ad dips lower to form a V-shape in the front.

Dropped - Falls below the natural waistline in classic flapper style.

Natural - Sits at the waist.


NECKLINES

Bateau - Shallow curve cut the same in front and back.

Illusion - High collar made of a sheer fabric such as net, point d'esprit, or chiffon; appears almost invisible.

Jewel - High, rounded neckline with no collar or binding.

Off-the-shoulder - Falls just below the shoulder, with a collar or sleeve on the arm.

Portrait - Open neckline with a high back, gathered in front above the bust-line.

Queen Anne - High at nape of neck; sweeps low in front.

Scoop - Low, curved sweep extending to the shoulders; may be cut deep in front, back or both.

Sweetheart - Low-cut, resembling the rounded curves of a heart.

V - Shaped like a V; cut deep or shallow in front, back or both.

Wedding band collar - High, fitted collar, popular in the 1890s.


SLEEVES

Bishop - Full sleeve gathered into a band at the wrist.

Cap - Short sleeve that just covers the top of the arm.

Gigot - See leg o'mutton.

Juliet - Long, fitted sleeve with short puff at the shoulder.

Leg-o'-mutton - Wide and rounded at shoulder, fitting snugly on the lower arm; also called gigot.

Puff - Short, rounded sleeve; gathered at armhole or cuff.

Three-quarter - Ends just below the elbow; often finished with small cuff or band.

Wedding point - V-shaped extension of a long, fitted sleeve that comes to a point over the bride's hand.


TRAINS & BUSTLES

Cathedral - Longer than one yard; reserved fro the most formal weddings.

Chapel - Formal; extends about one yard.

Court - Separate piece of fabric that falls from the shoulders.

Detachable - Normally attached at back of waist, but ma attach to the shoulders or wrap around the waist.

Sweep - Just brushes the floor.

Watteau - Cascades from the shoulders.


VEILS

Ballet - Comes to just an inch above the floor, also called waltz.

Bird cage - Stiff; cover the face, falls just below the chin.

Blusher - Loose, worn forward over the bride's face or lifted back over the headpiece.

Cathedral - Falls 3 1/2 yards from the headpiece; ultra-formal.

Chapel - Falls 2 1/2 yards from the headpiece; formal.

Fingertip - Most popular style, reaches to the fingertips; suitable for all but ultra-formal gowns.

Flyaway - Multiple layers that just brush the shoulders.

Waltz - See Ballet.


HEADPIECES

Floral wreath - Worn over the forehead or nestled in the hair.

Juliet cap - Fits tightly to crown of head; may be made entirely of pearls or jewels.

Mantilla - Lace veil worn surrounding face.

Profile - Decorative comb worn on one side of head silhouetting the face.

Tiara - Crown that rests on top of the had.


GLOVES

Match your gloves with the color of your dress. Gloves come in different lengths, fabrics and patterns. The opening on the glove has to be large enough for you to slip your ring finger in. Short wrist gloves are worn with long sleeves. Three-quarter or above-the-elbow are worn with sleeveless or strapless gowns. Opera length gloves add a note of formality to a gown, especially a long more-formal style. Wrist-length gloves are a charming touch for brides who favor a cocktail-length dress especially strapless styles that have a '60s styles retro look to them.

Another option for the bride is to take off both gloves during the exchange of rings and hand them along with her flowers to her Maid-of-Honor or a bridesmaid. This looks much better for photos than only taking one glove off or pushing the ring finger through an opening in the glove.

Source: The Wedding Dress by Maria McBride-Mellinger (Random House ISBN 0-679-41884-9).


WeddingsHoneymoons.com | W&H: Gown Styles| July 20, 2010
Copyright 2012 Weddings & Honeymoons. All Rights Reserved

CMS Powered by c-Seven's Mantis