Wedding Dress Whats and Whys
As you start wedding dress shopping you will begin to hear a whole lot of words and phrases thrown around by your bridal stylists. It's quite easy to just nod your head and agree without actually knowing what we're saying - I do this all the time and it gets me into so much trouble so you're not alone! There are also things that happen during your fitting that you might be wondering why we do it. Here is a little break down of anything you might come across or anything that you want to describe to your stylist but are not sure what to ask for:
SHAPES/SILHOUETTE
Ball Gown: A dress that has a fuller skirt that comes out at the natural waist - Almost always tight on the top. Think your classic Cinderella dress
A-Line: Basically a softer version of the ball gown. The skirt still comes out at the waist but will flow down rather than out.
Fit and Flare: A fitted dress that comes out softly from the hips or below.
Mermaid: A fitted dress that comes out at around knee height.
Sheath: A style that skims over the body rather than hugs tightly. Mostly a straight shape.
Drop waist: A bodice that sits below your natural waist.
DETAILS
Appliques: Small 3D details such as flowers, leaves etc.
Train: Also referred to as "trail". Is the material that extends behind the dress on the floor.
Bustle: The bustle is when the train on your dress is buttoned up/folded up so that it's out of the way.
Hem: The bottom of your dress. Majority of the time the hems on wedding dresses seem like they are made for giants - once you have your alterations your dress will be "hemmed" to your height.
Crinoline: A big poofy tulle skirt worn underneath a dress to make it bigger.
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| Zavana Bridal ZB310. Example of Scallop edging |
Scallop: A sea mollusc. But also details on a neckline, sleeve or hem with small half circles.
Ivory: Generally white isn't used a lot in wedding dresses anymore. You will find that it's actually ivory (even though it is basically "white"). There are many, many shades of ivory ranging from bright to creamy/dark.
Blusher: The piece on a veil that goes over your face.
Overskirt: A separate skirt that can be taken on and off an existing dress.
Detachable: Anything that can be taken on or off a dress such as a skirt, sleeves, straps or cape.
Wings: Pieces of tulle attached to the top of a strap creating "wing-like" details.
Tulle: Sheer netting used in veils and dresses. Usually found in ball gowns and a-lines but also used to create volume in mermaid gowns. Sometimes people have a vision that tulle is that stiff material that makes dresses poofy and huge (which it can) but it can also create a very soft, flowy look.
Bodice: The top part of the dress from the shoulders down to the waist.
Boning: Usually plastic rods sewn into the bodice to create structure. Exposed boning is a very common design feature and creates a "lingerie" look.
Sample Gown/Shop Sample: A dress that is on the boutique floor for trying on.
Illusion: Any detail that is made to look see-through. Mostly commonly used with lace, appliques and buttons. You can have illusion necklines, sleeves and backs.
Off-the-rack: Buying a dress that doesn't need to be ordered.
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| Morilee - Milly (example Handkerchief Skirt) |
Bridal "seatbelt": This term is a new one for me that I came across a few months ago and can't stop using. In a deep V front dress - this is the mesh part that holds the front together or keeps appliques flat. Also keeps any unfortunate nip-slips.
Customisations/Modifications: Any changes that you make to a dress when ordering that isn't on the original sample. Eg. adding straps, lowering back, removing sleeves etc.
Alterations: Fine tuning done after your dress arrives. This usually includes having the hem done, bustle, straps shortened and the dress taken in or out.
MEASURING
When we order your dress we will need to take your measurements so that we can order the closest size to you. We take three measurements and in some cases 4.
Bust: the measurement of the largest part of your breast. Generally this will mean we will measure at nipple height.
Waist: We measure your natural waist so the part that is just under where your ribs sit.
Hips: Not your actual hips surprisingly but more your bum. We take our measurement from the largest part to ensure the dress will fit.
Other Measurements: Depending on the fabric, we may need to get a custom hem made. This means we take measurements from your shoulder to floor, bust to floor, waist to floor and your hips to floor. If you are needing to close a neckline, lower a back or make any other customisations to your dress then we will take the appropriate measurements for this as well.
Why the box?
In majority of bridal boutiques you will be asked to go and stand on a box in front of a mirror. But why? First of all - the day is about you and so you SHOULD be standing above the rest right? But also - the box just gives you the height so that you can see the full length of the dress without it folding on the floor which tends to make people look a lot shorter (do you ever atomically go on tippy toes when you try clothes on?)
Why no photos?
Ahh the no photo rule. Whyyy?? Well, originally back in the day it was so that you couldn't take a photo in a boutique and then go and get it custom made for cheaper. This doesn't make a lot of sense anymore because it's so easy to just find the dress online. Nowadays it's more because (and I mean no offence with this, everyone is absolutely beautiful at all times) you tend to not be looking your absolute best in the photos. Your hair and makeup isn't how they would look on your big day, maybe you don't have a tan on and maybe your Mum is taking the photos from a sitting position and exposing that double chin you never thought you had. Also a lot of the times the dresses don't fit and therefore aren't giving you a realistic visual of the dress. You'll be concentrating on your insecurities rather than focusing on how you felt. Make sure to always ask before you take photos but always keep in mind that if you can't remember what a dress looked like then it's obviously for a reason.
Make sure you ask questions about anything you are unsure about - I promise, you will not be annoying your stylist and we will not think you are stupid. Like with any job, sometimes we just blurt out all this terminology automatically. After an appointment where I know a bride is going to other appointments, I will always recap what they are after "okay so at least we know you are liking A-Line, with a deep V and lace details" just in hopes that they pass that info onto the next. The more info you give then the more we can help you if you are looking for a specific look.
