Learn about Gown Styles, Shapes and Silhouettes
and Find the Perfect Gown for you!
There are so many different technical terms to describe gown styles and shapes...it can be very overwhelming! It is important to determine your own body type in order to choose the perfect gown for you. We can help with that too.
Bookmark this page now so that you can refer back to this very valuable glossary of terms.
Let us help you increase your GOWN IQ!
Once you understand your body type you need to begin looking for the right gown style that will compliment your assets and hide the little imperfections that we all have.
Start by choosing the appropriate gown silhouette. Gown silhouettes fall into a few simple categories. Visit our Silhouette Guide to increase your gown IQ.
Do you find the different train lengths confusing? What do the terms mean? Just how long is a Cathedral train? Visit our Train Length Glossary for all of the answers you need.
Just like gowns, brides come in all shapes and sizes. Use this guide to assess your body type, and learn some valuable do's and don'ts.
Hourglass -
You have a big chest, big hips, and a thin waist (that is, curves in all the right places)
Dress Dos: An A-line dress with a dropped waist will show off your figure; pair it with a sweetheart neckline to show off your chest. Or for something a little more curvaceous, try a fit-and-flare gown like a mermaid or trumpet style.
Short Waist -
Your body is naturally proportioned, except for the small distance from your ribs to your hips.
Dress Dos: A Princess-line silhouette elegantly elongates your figure; if you love your shoulders, try a portrait or halter neckline. A slightly dropped-waist gown will also lengthen your torso.
Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make your short waist more obvious.
Thick Waist -
Same as above, but instead of a short waist, yours is undefined: The line from your shoulders to your hips is straight.
Dress Don'ts: A Princess-line or dropped V waist will draw too much attention to your middle.
Full Figure -
You are a more voluptuous bride than most, you've got full breasts, a bit of a tummy, and round hips and butt.
Dress Dos: A ball gown will hide quite a bit, and an A-line silhouette looks great on everyone.
Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make you look heavier than you are; avoid spaghetti straps.
Pear Shape -
Just like the fruit, you're small on top and heavy on the bottom.
Dress Dos: A dropped V waist or strapless ball gown will cover your bottom half and put the focus on your better half; an Empire dress will hug the tiniest part of your body and disguise your lower half.
Thin -
Short or tall, there's not a whole lot of meat on your bones. You boast that certain kind of ballerina beauty.
Dress Dos: A ball gown will make you look like a fairy-tale princess, and a sheath would be perfect for you.
Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, but stay away from portrait, off-the-shoulder, or halter necklines if your collarbone is too bony.
Petite -
You are a bride with a tiny frame.
Dress Dos: It's best to keep it simple -- when you're small, a big, elaborate gown can sometimes look as if it's wearing you rather than the other way around. A sheath or A-line dress will work well.
Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, though a big ball gown may overwhelm.
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Wedding dress silhouettes fall into a few basic categories:
Traditional or Ball Gown - The most traditional of all categories, the ball gown is typified by a fitted bodice and waistline that lead to a very full skirt.
Empire - The hallmark of the Empire-style gown is a high waistline (right under the bust), which falls to a slimmer skirt.
A-Line - An A-line shape is cut close at waist and gradually widens from waistline to floor (creating an A-shape).
Princess - Vertical seams extend from shoulder to hem with the skirt curving outward at the waistline.
Sheath - The slim sheath silhouette closely follows the lines of the body.
Mermaid or Fit and Flare - A body-hugging silhouette with a skirt that flares below the knee.
Trumpet - A more understated style. The fit-and-flare trumpet skirt gradually flares at mid-thigh.
Redingote - A dress or coat, opened along the front to reveal an under dress or petticoat.
View more beautiful examples of gown styles...
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There are 5 standard lengths available, each term here represents a length category. Not to be confused with Hem Lengths, a train length is the length from the waist to the hem in the BACK of the gown.
Sweep Train: This is the shortest of the trains and is also called a brush train because it just brushes the
floor. Usually, the back hem is only a few inches lower then the front hem. It is perfect for an elegant
informal or semi-formal wedding gown. It provides the elegance of a train without to much added fabric in the way.
Chapel Length Train: This is currently the most common train because it has the elegance of a
full train but is still not overly cumbersome. A chapel train is generally 1 1/3 yards or 4 feet from the
waistline. This is perfect for a semi-formal wedding gown but could be used for a formal or informal wedding
gown as well.
Semi-Cathedral Length Train: A semi-cathedral is about half way between a chapel and cathedral
length. Perfect for a semi-formal or formal wedding gown.
Cathedral Length Train: This is a popular choice for a formal affair or for that fairy tale look.
A cathedral train is generally 2 1/2 yards or 7 1/2 feet from the waistline and is usually used for a formal
wedding.
Royal Train: Remember Princess Di's wedding gown? This is one of those trains that is still out
the door when you reach the alter! If your dream is to have a Princess Di train, this is it! Also called a Monarch
train, this train generally falls 9 ft from the waist line and is only used for the most formal wedding.
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