Silhouettes

A-line - Skirt gradually widens from waistline to floor

Fit and Flare /Mermaid - A slim, body-hugging dress with a skirt that flares out below the knee

Princess - Vertical seams extend from shoulder to hem with skirt curving outward at waistline

Redingote - A dress or coat, opened along the front to reveal an under dress or petticoat

Sheath - Narrow, form-fitting style

Traditional or Ballgown - Very full skirt that gathers at about the natural waistline

Cowl - A neckline featuring a piece of material attached to a garment draped loosely in a swag from shoulder to shoulder at the front or back neckline, frequently cut on the bias

Halter - Typically a backless dress with collar or strap wrapping behind neck

Hug Shoulder - Falls at the apex of the shoulder

Off Shoulder - Below shoulders with sleeves

Portrait - A collar that wraps the shoulders

Scoop - Low, rounded neckline

Spaghetti Strap - Thin straps supporting bodice

Strapless - Bodice without straps or sleeves

Sweetheart - Dips to a heart shape at bustline

Tank - Sleeveless with wide straps, with round or square neckline

V-Neckline - Dips to a V in the center front

Wedding Band High Collar - High collar, fits close to neck

Cap - Very short sleeve that just covers the shoulder, no shoulder seam

Hug Shoulder - Falls at the apex of the shoulder

Long, Fitted - Long sleeve with little or no fullness

Short, Fitted - Very short, fitted sleeve worn on the shoulder

Short Tunnel - Short, off the shoulder sleeve, sometimes shirred

Three-Quarter Length - Falls between the elbow and wrist

Basque - Slightly elongated, dipping to a point at the center front

Curved Basque - Similar to Basque, though rounded at the center front

Empire - Begins just below the bustline

Natural - Falls at the natural waistline

Floor - Hemline falls 1/2 - 2 inches from floor

High/Low - Hemline is graduated from front to back

Cocktail - Hemline falls below the knee

Monarch/Castillion - Extends approximately 3 yards from waistline

Cathedral - Extends approximately 2 1/2 yards from waistline

Semi-Cathedral - Extends approximately 2 yards from waistline

Chapel - Extends approximately 1 1/2 yards from waistline

Sweep - Short Train, extends 8 to 10 inches on the floor