Glossary of Wedding Dress Styles

3/4 Length

A sleeve length in which the wrist line stops just below the elbow.

A-Line

Considered one of the most figure-friendly shapes; generally shaped like a standing letter A.

Ballgown

A full-skirted gown reaching at least to the ankles.

Ballerina

A full skirt that reaches just above the ankles.

Balloon

A sleeve shaped full over the upper arm and narrowed from the elbow to wrist.

Bateau

A high, wide straight neckline that runs straight across the front and back, meeting at the shoulders; the same depth in the front and back.

Bell

A sleeve that is narrow at the armhole and wide and un-cuffed at the wrist.

Blouson

Fullness of fabric from bodice to waist, then cinched or gathered at or below the waist.

Bustle

A pad of tulle, down, or other type of stuffing worn under a skirt, which is attached to the back below waist level and which serves as a base over which the skirt's material is pleated or looped.

Cap

A small, short sleeve that sits on the shoulder, either forming a stiff cap or falling on to the arm to provide minimal coverage.

Cathedral

A cascading train extending six to eight feet behind the gown.

Chapel

The most popular of all train lengths, it flows from three to four feet behind the gown.

Corset

A form-fitting, usually strapless bodice with boning and either laces or snap closures.

Court

A train extending one foot beyond the sweep train.

Dropped

A waistline that is sewn below the body's natural waistline.

Empire

A bodice that ends just below the bust, sometimes low cut and gathered.

Fitted Point

A long, narrow sleeve that tapers to a point which rests against the back of the hand.

Flared Skirt

A skirt that is fitted at the waist and flares out in an A-line or tulip shape at the hem.

Floor Length

A gown lightly touching the floor on all sides.

Flounce

A wide ruffle around the bottom of the skirt.

Halter

A sleeveless bodice with a high choke or wrap neck that may be backless.

Illusion

A gown with a yoke of sheer net and an often ornately decorated satin band, fitting snugly on the neck creating a choker effect.

Jewel

A high round neckline resting simply at the base of the neck.

Juliet

A long sleeve featuring a high point at the top of the shoulder; often narrows to a fitted point.

Keyhole

A tear shaped or round cut-out that fastens at the front or back neckline.

Leg of Mutton

A loose, full sleeve, rounded from the shoulder to just below the elbow, then shaped to the arm, often ending in a point at the wrist.

Long

A sleeve length that ends at the wrist.

Mandarin

A short, stand up collar.

Medium

A sleeve length that is just above or below the elbow.

Mermaid

A slim, body-hugging dress with a skirt that flares out below the knee.

Natural

A seam or waistband that secures or falls at the natural curve of the body, which is the indentation between the hips and the ribcage.

Off the Shoulder

A neckline that lays gently hovering across the top of the bust line with the shoulders uncovered or able to be seen through the sheer yoke of net or organza attached to a high collar.

One-Shoulder

An asymmetrical bodice, featuring one exposed shoulder.

Pannier

Draping of the skirt on the side, for an elegant, old-fashioned appearance.

Peter Pan

A collar that is a one-piece or two-piece flat collar with rounded ends.

Pointed

A waistline whose front comes to a downward point in the centre.

Princess Line

A sleek fitting bodice characterized by two vertical bust point seams and no horizontal seams at the waist.

Queen Anne

A collar that rises high at the back of the neckline, cupping the sides of the neck then sculpting low across the chest to outline a bare yoke.

Raised

A seam or hemline that is cut above the natural waistline, as seen in an Empire or Surplice bodice.

Sabrina

A high scoop neck.

Scoop or Round

A low, U-shaped neckline.

Sheath

A slim, body-hugging shape from top to bottom, without a waistline.

Short

A sleeve length that is no longer than the bicep level and no shorter than cap length.

Sleeveless

No sleeves at all; often seen in conjunction with a bateau, boat, ballerina, or scoop neck; also utilized with a halter neckline.

Spaghetti Strap

A thin tubular strap that attaches to the bodice.

Square

An open yoke neckline shaped in the form of a half square.

Straight Skirt

Also referred to as a pencil skirt, this skirt is a straight line with no flare or fullness at the hem or waistline.

Strapless

A neckline created by an absence of sleeves (usually) and collar.

Surplice

A bodice created by the cross-wrapping of fabric; may be in front or back, and associated with a high or low neckline.

Sweep Train

The shortest train, barely sweeping the floor.

Sweetheart

A graceful, open yoke shaped like the top half of a heart.

Tiered

A skirt comprised of layers of fabric of varying lengths.

Tulip

A short sleeve that criss-crosses over the biceps of the arm.

V-Line

A silhouette that is wider at the shoulder and narrows at the hemline.

V-Neck

An open yoke coming to a "V" shape midway down the bodice.

Watteau Train

A train falling from the shoulder blades to the hemline of the gown.

Wedding Band

A collar featuring a yoke that is either open or of sheer net with an ornate band fitting snugly on the neck, creating a choker effect.

Wrap

A skirt that has two free edges, one of which is folded and wrapped over the other.

Yoke

A yoke may either be the upper part of the bodice or a widened waistband to which the rest of the garment is attached.