WEDDING GOWN STYLES - Weddings & Honeymoons

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Theatre Reviews
by Jeniva Berger

| WEDDING GOWN STYLES

HELPING YOU CHOOSE A STYLE
for your wedding gown

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.

Source: The Wedding Dress by Maria McBride-Mellinger (US$40, CAN$52, Random House ISBN 0-679-41884-9).

www.WeddingsHoneymoons.com | January 28, 2008

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