Wedding gown styles & shapes:

Looking for that perfect wedding gown for the big day? Let us help you by explaining the basic styles and shapes you can expect to find:

Types of wedding gowns Types of necklines Types of waistlines Types of sleeves Types of trains Types of veils

Types of Wedding Gowns:

Ball Gown / Full Skirt

Empire Waist
Ball gown type dresses are recommended for the following body types: Full figured, pear shaped, and thin.

This style may also be considered for some people who are petite or have a hour glass figure.
 Empire waist gowns are recommended for women who are petite or do not have a defined waistline. They may also be considered for women with an inverted pear shaped body.

This style is not recommended for women with hour glass figures.

A-Line / Princess

Sheath
A-line gowns are recommended for the most body types except for women who do not have a defined waistline.

While neither the A-line nor Princess has a defined waistline, the Princess style does have noticeable vertical panels. 		Sheath style gown are recommended for thin figured or petit framed women. They may also be considered for some women with a hour glass figure shaped body.

This style is not recommended for women who are thick or short waisted, full figured, or have a pear shaped body type.

Mermaid

Mermaid style gowns are recommended for woman with a figure that they want to show off.

This style is not recommended for women who are petite, thick or short waisted, or have an inverted pear shaped body type.

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Types of Necklines:

Jewel

Scoop

Square

V-Neck
Suggested for women with a smaller chest.

Should be avoided by women with larger chests. 		Works with most figures. Works with most figures. Suggested for women with a medium sized chest.

Should be avoided by women with larger or smaller then average size chest.

Bateau

Sabrina

Spagetti Straps

Queen Anne
Suggested for women with a smaller chest.

Should be avoided by women with larger chests. 		Suggested for women with a smaller chest.

Should be avoided by women with larger chests. 		Suggested for women with small to average sized chest.

Should be avoided by full figured women or narrow shoulders. 		Works with most figures.

Off the Shoulder

Portrait

Sweetheart

Strapless
Suggested for women with a hourglass figure or a pear shaped figure.

Should be avoided by women with thin figures, fuller arms or broad shoulders. 		Suggested for women who are short-waisted or women with fuller arms.

Should be avoided by women with undefined collarbones or broad shoulders. 		Suggested for women with a hourglass figure or women with larger chests. Suggested for women who are full figured, petite, or have a hourglass figure.

Should be avoided by women with smaller chests.

high

halter

Suggested for women who are petite or want a dress that has a lengthening effect.

Should be avoided by women who are taller, have pear shaped figures, or narrow shoulders. 		Suggested for short-waisted women or women with broad shoulders.

Should be avoided by women with thin figures or narrow shoulders.

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Types of Waistlines:

Natural

Drop

Basque

Empire
Works with most body types. Suggested for women who are petite. Suggested for women with a hourglass figure, larger breasts, or have a slim figure.

Should be avoided by women with a boxy figure. 		Suggested for women who want a bodice that has a slenderizing effect; however.

Should be avoided by women who are petite or have an undefined waist.		 Suggested for women with an undefined waist, have larger hips, or are shorter.

Should be avoided by women with a hourglass figure.

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Types of Sleeves:

There are many different types of sleeve types. Below is a list on the most popular:

  • - Sleeveless: No sleeves.
  • - Cap: Just covering the shoulders.
  • - Short sleeve: Falls between shoulder & elbow like a t-shirt.
  • - 3/4 sleeve: Falls between elbow & wrist.
  • - Fitted: Fitted long sleeve.
  • - Fitted Point: Fitted long sleeve coming to a point over the hand.
  • - Pouf: Short, full, gathered sleeve. May be on or off the shoulder.
  • - Juliet: Long sleeve with puffy shoulders.
  • - Bell: Long sleeve, narrow on top and flared towards the wrist.
  • - Poet: Long sleeve, fitted from shoulder to elbow then flared.

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Types of Trains:

  • - Sweep: 8" to 12"
  • - Court: about 3 feet from the waist.
  • - Chaple: approx. 4 feet from the waist.
  • - Cathedral: approx 6 to 9 feet from the waist.
  • - Royal: 3 or more yards from the waist.

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Types of Veils:

  • - Birdcage: Falls just below the chin & usually attached to a hat.
  • - Flyaway: Ends at the shoulder.
  • - Blusher: Worn over your face and is approx. 28" long.
  • - Elbow Length: Ends at the elbow or waist.
  • - Fingertip: Ends at the finger tips or just below the waist.
  • - Ballet Ends at the ankles.
  • - Chapel: Extends to the floor.
  • - Cathedral: 9+ feet.

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