Below are some terms you might encounter while looking for your gown. Hopefully these can help make your wedding gown/ evening gown shopping experience a little bit easier.
Silhouettes
A-line: fitted at the bodice and flows out to the ground, with an unbroken line (resembling the outline of an uppercase A)
Ball Gown: fitted at the bodice and has a waistline that leads to a full skirt
Mermaid: fits closely to the body from the chest to the knee, then flares out to the hem
Sheath: fits very closely to the contours of the body. Has a straight skirt with no waist
Trumpet: fits closely to the body until the mid-hip and then widens gradually to the hem. (resembling the mouth of a trumpet). Often confused with mermaid, but trumpet flairs from mid-hip, whereas mermaid flairs below the knee
Waistlines
Basque Waist: waistline features a low U or V shape
Dropped Waist: features a waist line below the natural waist at the mid hip
Empire: has a raised waistline that sits just below the bust, from which the rest of the dress flows down to the hem
Natural Waist: waist line that hits at the natural waist (the indentation between the hips and the rib-cage)
Princess: A-line silhouette with vertical seams down the front
Trains
Sweep: (also called brush) is the shortest train -usually, the back hem is only a few inches lower than the front hem
Court: slightly longer than the brush, extending approximately 3 feet behind the waist
Chapel Length: generally 1 1/3 yards or 4 feet from the waistline
Cathedral Length Train: generally 2 1/2 yards or 7 1/2 feet from the waistline
Fabrics
Alencon lace: re-embroidered, Chantilly lace
Charmeuse: lightweight, semi-lustrous soft, is satin-like to the touch
Chiffon: Delicate, sheer, and transparent, with a soft finish. Often layered because of its transparency
Crepe: Light, soft, and thin, with a crinkled surface
Duchesse Satin: A lightweight hybrid of silk or polyester and rayon woven into a satin finish
Dupioni: A finish similar to shantung, but with thicker, coarser fibers, and a slight sheen
Georgette: Sheer and lightweight fabric with a crepe surface
Mikado: A brand of blended fibers, usually heavier than 100-percent silk
Organza: Crisp and sheer like chiffon, with a stiffer texture similar, but more flowing than tulle
Satin: heavy and smooth with a high sheen on one side
Shantung: Similar to a raw silk, characterized by its rough/nubby texture
Taffeta: Crisp and smooth, with a slight rib
Tulle: Netting (just like ballerina tutus)
SIZE chart and measurement
US |
2 |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
22 |
24 |
26 |
28 |
UK |
4 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
20 |
22 |
24 |
26 |
28 |
30 |
EUROPE |
32 |
34 |
36 |
38 |
40 |
42 |
44 |
46 |
48 |
50 |
52 |
54 |
56 |
58 |
Bust |
31 |
34 |
35 |
36 |
37 |
38.5 |
40 |
41.5 |
43 |
45 |
47 |
49 |
52 |
56 |
Waist |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29.5 |
31 |
32.5 |
34 |
36 |
38 |
40 |
43 |
47 |
Hips |
32 |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41.5 |
43 |
44.5 |
46 |
48 |
50 |
52 |
55 |
59 |