Are you bewildered when it comes to shopping for prom
Types And Styles Of Prom Dresses - Terms And Definitions
Are you bewildered when it comes to shopping for prom dresses? With all the types of formal gowns and dresses available, there are also many terms that describe the length, design, neckline, and style of a prom dress. You might feel overwhelmed when speaking with a sales clerk at a formal wear shop or even while shopping online for prom dresses. Below we've put together some helpful terms and definitions to help you be an informed shopper for prom dresses and other prom-related items of women's interests.
Prom Dress Styles
Some of the prom dress styles you might see include the ball gown, long sleeve dresses for juniors A-line (princess), sheath, lace-covered, high-low, baby doll, chiffon, one-shoulder, empire, golden glamour, modest, and halter.
Ballroom Gowns and A-Line Prom Dresses
A ballroom gown has a very large skirt that billows out from the waist to the mid-calf or ankles. It might have a fitted waist and top or a corset type top. The A-line or princess dress flares out to the hemline and is narrow near the waist. It forms an "a" shape as it fits to your body from top to bottom.
High-Low, Lace-Covered, and Chiffon Prom Dresses
The high-low dress zigzags vertically at the hemline so it is short in some spots and long in others. The sheath prom dress is one that clings to the body and hides nothing concerning your figure. The lace-covered dress can be a satin or satin-like material underneath with lace as a top layer. Chiffon dresses look similar to a fancy night robe worn by the women of Rome or Greece. With a high empire waist, the dress is long and flows from the hips down to the ankles. It is great for almost any figure.
Baby Doll, One-Shoulder, and Sleeveless Gowns
The baby doll prom dress is typically very short and cute. It usually fits at the top and flows at the bottom with a high waistline in between. Baby doll dresses usually come with a tied ribbon or belt around the stomach area to give the "baby dress" look. One-shoulder prom dresses have only one shoulder strap, of course, with the other side being sleeveless. These are usually long and elegant gowns. There are also completely strapless formal gowns and prom dresses. These can be worn with or without a jacket or wrap.
Halter, Golden Glamour, and Modest Prom Dresses
The halter prom dress looks similar to a halter top at the sleeves and then flows toward the knees. It is usually no longer than just below the knees and may look similar to a high-low dress at the hemline. The golden glamour dress is usually shiny gold to appear like "Hollywood" style apparel. The modest prom dress is beautiful, simple, and modest. It covers everything while still giving the wearer a touch of glamour and elegance.
Types of Sleeves
Cap sleeves are short and cover only the upper arms and shoulders. Juliet sleeves are puffy at the shoulders and taper all the way to the wrist. Some sleeves start below the shoulders or appear to "hang off" the shoulders. Also, spaghetti straps are thin straps with no sleeves.
Necklines
Necklines are also important when choosing a prom dress. The empire neckline scoops out and then connects with a very high waistline. A sweetheart neckline looks like the top of a heart. A jewel neckline is simple and round, located just above the collarbone. The boat neckline (Bandeau) comes around to each collarbone, similar to a sailor's suit.
Other Prom Terms to Know
There are also handbags, or small purses, and clutches that can match your prom dress. Clutches are small hand-held bags with no straps. Shawls and wraps are not jackets but fit around your shoulders loosely. You can wear them when outdoors during cold weather and easily remove them for dancing. A tiara is a princess-type hairpiece than can be worn with your hair up or down. There are elbow gloves and wrist gloves. Elbow gloves reach to your elbow, covering the bottom part of your arm while wrist gloves only cover the hands.
Before shopping for a prom dress, know what styles and accessories you are looking for so you can save time. Also, go online to view all the different styles available. You can even find great deals online on prom dresses by designers such as Mori Lee, Jovani, Clarisse, Niteline, Dave and Johny, Paris, Riva and Alyce Designs. There are often beautiful dresses online for the prom, homecoming, and other formal events that a local formal wear shop might not offer.
How To Find The Perfect Modest Wedding Dress
So youve decided that on your big day you would like to wear a wedding dress that is modest, traditional or conservative just finding a modest wedding dress can be a feat in and of itself, but also finding a modest wedding dress that will flatter your figure takes a little bit of work, but we can help you with that! With so many different styles of wedding dresses available, it can be overwhelming; it is important to try to narrow down the type of modest wedding dress that will look best on you and start there.
Step 1: Choose the style of modest long sleeve cocktail dresses wedding gown that will be most flattering to your figure.
What kind of figure do you have? Tall, petite, curvy, boyish, apple, or pear This is a very important starting point because different styles of dresses flatter different silhouettes. The right modest wedding dress can play up your best assets and camouflage your flaws.
A woman with an apple shape generally carries her weight around her mid section and has more slender legs. A woman with this body type would look great in a gown that has detail around the waist such as a sash that will visually define the waist; the skirt should gently flow out creating a visual balance. If the skirt is too fitted, it will accentuate the apple shape, rather than reduce it.
A woman with a pear shape generally carries her weight around her hips, thighs and butt with a more slender upper body. A wedding dress with an A-line shape that gently flows out at the hips would be most flattering. Look for an A-line skirt with a v-neckline and more detail on the bodice area to draw the eye away from the hips.
A curvy shaped woman carries weight more equally between upper and lower body. Dresses made out of a more structured material will be best for a curvy woman. Loose flowing dresses are not flattering on a curvy woman as they tend to add pounds. A curvy woman can get away with almost any silhouette of dress as long as it is tailored to fit her perfectly.
A woman with a boyish shaped figure can have very narrow hips, and a smaller bust. Mermaid style, trumpet style, or ball gown style dresses look great on a boyish figure. These styles tend to add the illusion of curves where they may be lacking.
Petite women should look for column style wedding dresses or empire waist style wedding dresses. Petite women should avoid dropped waist style dresses or ball gown style dresses as they may cut them in half or overwhelm their petite figure.
Tall women should look for wedding dresses with a dropped waist, or even a ball gown style of wedding gown to keep their proportions looking balanced. lace sleeve wedding dress
Step 2: Choose the color of the wedding dress.
Today, modest wedding dresses are available in a wide range of shades of white and even colors. You should choose the shade that is most flattering to your skin tone; most brides will look best in a slightly off white color. Brides with very fair skin should lean toward a warmer shade of white; brides with darker complexions have an easier time pulling off stark white. Keep in mind if you are a LDS bride who plans to wear her wedding dress in the temple, you must choose stark white.
What attributes would your dream wedding dress have? Ruffles? Lace? Beading? Plain?
Step 3: Choose the sleeve length.
When selecting your dress, keep in mind the season that you will be getting married in as well as the type of reception you will be having. If you are getting married in the winter, you may want to choose a modest wedding dress with length sleeves or even long sleeves so you stay warm. If you are getting married in the summer months you may appreciate a modest wedding dress with cap sleeves so that you will stay cool. For all of the in-between months, during the fall or spring where the weather can be unpredictable, you will probably be safe with short sleeves.
Step 4: Choose the neckline.
Modest wedding dresses are now available with more options for necklines than ever before. If you are a LDS bride, consider whether the wedding dress has a neckline that will be temple ready or not. There are many different options of necklines which are mid length evening dresses temple ready: Queen Anne neckline, portrait neckline, scoop neck, v-neck, square neck and so on. Make sure you are comfortable with the neckline so that you will not feel self-conscious about whether or not you are showing too much skin.
Step 5: Put it all together.
When you have chosen the silhouette of the wedding dress, the color, the sleeve length and neckline see what options are available with all of your favorites to narrow the selection down even further. From those choices, which style of modest wedding dress seems most you? Does your wardrobe mostly consist of solid colors in basic black, navy and white? If so, a more simple elegant dress may be best suited for you. Does your wardrobe consist of lots of prints and colors and all of the latest trends? If so, a more trendy style of modest wedding gown with elaborate beading may be best suited for you. Are you a very low maintenance bride who doesnt like to fuss with hair and make-up? If so maybe you would like a simple tea-length style wedding dress, or a dress without an elaborate train to fuss with.
Step 6: Personalize it.
Many wedding dress designers have the option of selecting a colored sash, colored beads or colored embroidery, some brides chose these things to tie everything together with the wedding party and flowers etc. Another popular trend is to wear colored shoes, sneakers, or funky jewelry, whatever your signature style is.
Best of luck to you in finding the perfect modest wedding dress!
