Essential #3, Your Gown

Okay, ladies.

This is my favorite part of the book, Your Gown. Having been immersed in the bridal and formal industry from an early age, I’ve seen all sorts of fabrics and all kinds of dress styles. Reading about the details of these gowns and fibers is incredibly interesting to me. Randy doesn’t mention every single type of fabric or dress styles, but he does give the basic terminology to prepare you, the bride, for your appointment. You’ll be able to go in there knowing what you want and able to verbally express your ideas. I’ll begin with the gown terms;

Silhouette, this is the shape of the dress. The shape of the skirt defines it. (E.g. A-line, Mermaid)

Front Neckline is the top of the bodice, which defines your upper body and helps to frame your face, neck, and shoulders. (E.g. Halter, strapless)

Back Neckline is the back of the bodice, which defines your back, neck, and shoulders.

Bodice is the top part of the dress that shapes your bust, waist, and hips.

Sleeves, well we all know what those are, they cover your arms.

The Waistline is how a dress fits in relation to your natural waistline.

Hemline is the bottom edges, or length of the dress.

Petticoat or Crinoline is the fabric or foundation that’s used under a skirt to help hold its shape or silhouette.

Train is the length of the back of the skirt.

Bustle is how the train picked up

Each of these terms can be broken down to even greater detail which I’ll go through individually in separate posts. 

Jackie S. of Sposa Mia Couture