Bridal Dictionary


A-line skirt:  Flat across the front and gradually widening to a full hem, generally gathering to a train in back.
Alencon:  A delicate floral or leaf design on a fine net background, outlined with heavy threads to define the pattern and add more dimension.
Ankle length:  Barely reveals the ankles, just a bit shorter than floor length.
Antebellum waist:  Natural waistline that dips 2 or 2 1/2 inches to a point in the center front.
Appliqué:  Decoration created by attaching pieces of fabric or lace to the gown.
Apron:  Overskirt which joins in the back of the gown at the waist, but not at the hem.
Asymmetrical waist:  Begins at the natural waistline and falls to one side.

Ballet skirt:  Full skirt that reveals the ankle.
Ball gown:  A natural, basque, or dropped waistline and very full skirt
Ballerina length:  Hemline falls to just above the ankles.
Balloon sleeve:  Very large poufed sleeve extending from the shoulder to as far as the wrist.
Basque waistline:  Elongated waist, approximately 2 inches below the natural waist.  May dip to a point in the center front.
Bateau (or boat) neckline:  Generally forms a straight line across the shoulders, often dipping a bit in front.  May or may not reveal the shoulders.  Usually trimmed with lace.
Battenberg:  A heavy lace made with patterns of linen braid and tape connected with decorative linen stitching.
Bell sleeve:  Narrow at top, the sleeve is wet into a normal-sized armhole that flares at its bottom edge like a bell.
Bertha collar:  Nine to 18 inches of fabric or lace attached all around neckline (or yoke).  May or may not reveal the shoulders.
Bird cage:  Stiff, wide-mesh veil pinned to the crown of the head, covering the face and ears to just below the chin.
Bishop sleeve:  Gathered and full to the cuff (which may be elongated), but not as full as a poet sleeve.
Blouson:  Fabric is gathered just at or below the waist, creating a oft fullness.
Blusher veil:  A short, single veil worn forward to cover the bride's face as she enters the ceremony and worn pushed back afterward, attached to a longer veils.
Bouffant skirt:  Very full.
Brush train:  The shortest train, just a bit of extra length that brushes the floor.
Bubble skirt:  Attached to the lining at the hemline to create a very full effect.  May be used with any waist, can be any length, can even be a double-double.
Bustle:  Exaggerated gathering of fabric, or a gathering of fabric caught up with detail, at the back of the gown.
Bustier:  A bodice style which has no straps or sleeves. Many religious sites do not allow them and you will need to buy a coordinating jacket for your service. Also known as a Strapless or Corset


Cap sleeve:  Short, fitted sleeve, perhaps of lace, that barely covers the top of the arm.
Cathedral train:  Extending a full 2 1/2 yards from the waist.
Chantilly:  A web-like floral pattern on a lace background outlined with silk threads; soft to the touch.
Chapel train:  Falling about 2 yards (75 inches) from the waist.
Circular skirt:  Attached smoothly at the waist and falling to form a a complete circle at the hemline.
Court train:  Slightly shorter than chapel length.
Cut-outs:  See-through effect created by lace appliqué with the fabric cut out beneath.

Décolletage:  Plunging neckline that reveals cleavage.
Detached train:  Joined to the gown with hooks and eyes or velcro.  Usually full at top.
Details:  Small ornaments to the gown, such as bows, special beading or embroidery.
Dolman sleeve:  Joined with the bodice above the elbow.  Fullness tapers down to a fitted forearm.
Drop Waist:  A good waistline to help add height, this straight waistline falls 3 to 5 inches below the Natural Waist

Effect:  Term that describes impression created by designer's use of various details.
Empire:  A high waist that starts just beneath a fitted bodice and a slim skirt.
Empire waistline:  Skirt attached to the bodice just below the bustline.

Fingertip veil:  This term describes a tier of veiling that is approximately 29" to 42" in length.  It comes to your fingertips.
Fitted bodice:  Designed to hug the body. (Can be very restrictive and uncomfortable)
Fitted sleeve:  Traditional long sleeve with very little or no fullness.
Floor length:  Hemline falls just 1/2 or 1 1/2 inches from the floor.
Flounce:  A wide piece of fabric or lace, gathered and attached at the hem.
Fly-away:  Multi-layers that brush the shoulders, usually worn with an informal dress.
Full skirt:  Slightly less full than bouffant.

Gauntlet:  Wrist and arm covering of lace or fabric that replaces gloves.
Gibson sleeve:  Full at the shoulder, although more controlled that leg-o'-mutton, and fitted at the wrist.
Godet:  Triangular piece of fabric inserted into a seam to give fullness or shape.
Guipure:  A heavy lace designed to show large patterns over a coarse mesh background.

Half hat:  A small hat covering half or less of the crown.
Halo headpiece:  A fabric-and-wire band that circles the forehead (may be decorated with pearls, sequins, or flowers).
Halter neckline:  Fastens at the back of the neck, plunging down into a V-front, leaving the back bare.
Handkerchief hem:  A tea length skirt made of panels which end in points at the hem.

Illusion neckline:  A transparent panel or yoke attached to the bodice that extends from the bust to the collar; constructed of tulle, net, or lace.
Intermission or Hi-Low:  Hemline falls to the mid-calf in front, floor length in back.

Jewel neckline:  Circles the natural neckline, usually not trimmed with lace.
Juliet cap:  A small cap that hugs the back of the head.
Juliet sleeve:  A long sleeve with a poufed top and fitted lower arm.

Leg-of-Mutton Sleeve:  Very full puff at the shoulder with a fitted forearm.
Lyon:  An intricate, ornamental design delicately stitched onto a net background; the pattern is outlined in silk or cotton.

Mantilla:  Lace-trimmed veiling that frames the face and is usually secured with a comb or hairpins.
Mermaid:  A body-hugging style with a skirt that flares at or just below the knee.
Mini length Skirt:  Ends above the knees.  Some designs include detachable overskirts which may be removed for the reception.

Natural waistline:  Bodice and skirt of the gown join at the natural waist.

Panniers:  Exaggerated gathers, possibly supported by a cage, worn over the hips with a flat front.
Peek-a-boo sleeve:  Puff sleeve with different fabrics or skin showing through from beneath.
Peplum:  A short overskirt or flounce attached at the waist.
Picture hat:  A wide-brimmed hat usually decorated with lace, pearls, or sequins.
Pillbox:  A round, structured, brimless hat worn on the top of the head.
Poet sleeve:  Pleated at the shoulder line with fullness through the sleeve to the cuff.
Point D'esprit:  Oval or square dots woven in a pattern on net fabric.
Point sleeve:  Any long sleeve that ends below the wrist in a point of fabric or lace on the top of the hand.
Pouf:  Fabric of an overskirt caught up with lace, beading or ribbons.
Pouf veil:  Short, gathered veiling attached to a headpiece, usually worn with an informal dress.
Pouf sleeve:  A short, full and gathered sleeve; can be worn on or off the shoulder.
Portrait neckline:  Wraps around the shoulders leaving them completely bare.
Princess Cut:  Fitted, multiple vertical panels extending in an A-line from the bust or shoulders to the hem with no defined waistline.
Profile headpiece:  A floral comb worn asymmetrically on one side of the head and adorned with lace, pearls, or crystals.
Puff sleeve:  Very full, short sleeve that ends above elbow.  May be worn on or off the shoulder.

Queen Anne neckline:  Higher on the sides and back of neck, open to the bra strap line, and ending in a sweetheart shape.
Queen Elizabeth neckline:  High portrait collar that stands up in the back and closes in a vee in front.

Raised waistline:  Approximately 1 inch above the natural waistline.
Royal train:  Very longest train length, extending more than 3 yards from the waist.

Sabrina neckline:  Straight neckline that begins 2 inches inside the shoulder line, often trimmed with lace.
Schiffli:  Intricate floral pattern (similar to Alencon lace, but lighter) embroidered directly onto the gown.
Scoop neckline:  A rounded, low neckline, dipping from the shoulders to just above the bustline.
Sheath:  Straight, fitted gown , often floor length.  May be worn with a detachable train.
Shirred waistline:  Gathered fabric that creates a horizontal panel of 3 or more inches at the waist.
Snood:  Netting (may be decorated with pearls, sequins, or flowers) worn at the nape of the neck to cover the hair (usually in a chignon).
Square neckline:  A half-Square or rectangle shaped neckline.
Strapless:  A bodice style which has no straps or sleeves. Many religious sites do not allow them and you will need to buy a coordinating jacket for your service. Also known as a Bustier or Corset
Strapless neckline:  Reveals the shoulders and usually has a matching cover-up to be worn during the wedding service.
Street:  Hemline falls to just cover the knee.
Sweep train:  Just longer than a brush train.
Sweetheart neckline:  Open neckline that begins 2 inches inside the shoulder line and shaped like a heart.

Tea length:  Hemline falls several inches above the ankles.
Tiara:  Ornamental crown of pearls, crystals, rhinestones, or lace worn on top of the head.
Tiered skirt:  Falls in a series of multiple layers of graduated length.
Tulip sleeve:  A set-in sleeve with overlapping fabric that curves into a petal-like shape.
Train:  Fabric of the gown that trails behind the bride.
Trumpet (or mermaid) skirt:  Flares at or below the knee.

Venise:  Heavy floral or leaf pattern in needle point with motifs connected in lines.

Waistline:  Point at which the bodice and skirt are joined
Watteau:  Train that is attached at the shoulders, rather than at the waist, of the gown.
Wedding band collar:  Traditional high neckline, often of lace, encircling the base of the neck.
Wreath:  A circle of flowers that sits above the crown of the head or lower, encircling the forehead.

Yoke:  Fitted fabric at neckline, shoulders or hips to which gathered or pleated fabric (or lace) is joined.

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