BODICES • NECKLINES • SLEEVES • SKIRTS • TRAINS

BODICES

• Corset - A tight-fitting top, either strapless or strapped.
• Halter - A top with straps that wrap around and tie behind the neck.
• Midriff - A bodice that fits tightly around the ribcage and reveals the stomach.
• One-shoulder - An asymmetrical bodice that has either one sleeve or reveals one shoulder.
• Princess-line - A two-seamed bodice that runs over the bustline.
• Tank - A sleeveless bodice with wide arm holes.

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NECKLINES

• Bateau - A neckline that falls straight across the collarbone.
• Halter - A higher-neck with straps that tie behind the neck.
• High-Neck - A neckline that reaches up high along, and often encircles, the neck.
• Jewel - A simple round neckline.
• Off-the-shoulder - A neckline that exposes the collarbone and shoulders.

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SLEEVES

• Balloon - Sleeves that are roomy over the shoulder and upper arm, but which taper over the lower arm and wrist. Bell - Narrow at the top of the arm, these sleeves open to a bell shape near the wrist.
• Bishop - Sleeves that are roomy at the shoulder and over the arm, then gather at the wrist.
• Cap - Full at the shoulder, these sleeves gather at the very top of the arm.
• Fitted point - A long sleeve that comes to a point along the top of the hand.
• Gauntlet - A two-pieces sleeve that's full at the top of the arm, with a separate piece (which may be a glove) that covers the arm and the top of the hand.
• Gigot - A large, rounded sleeve that's roomy at the shoulder, but that narrows over the arm to the wrist.
• Juliet - A long sleeve that's puffy at the shoulder and extends down to the wrist, ending in either a straight or pointed cut. Pouf - A large cap sleeve that extends low on the arm.
• Three-quarter-length - A sleeve that ends between the elbow and wrist.
• Tulip (or "criss-crossed") - A petal-shaped sleeve that features several flaps over the shoulder.

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SKIRTS

• Ballgown - A bell-shaped skirt that is narrow at the waist.
• Flared - A tulip-shaped skirt that's narrow at the waist.
• Flounce - A loose skirt that flares outward, with a ruffle at the hem.
• Front slit - A skirt with a slit on a front seam, usually along the leg.
• Pannier - A sheath-like dress with fabric draped on both hips.
• Pencil - A straight skirt with no flare or accent at the waist.
• Pleated - Featuring folds that run downward, along the front of the skirt. Multiple pleats may be called 'accordion style', two larger pleats are called 'box style.'
• Tiered - A skirt made of overlapping fabric layers of different lengths.
• Wrap - A skirt that overlaps and wraps at the waist.
• Skirt Lengths: Ballerina - Just above the ankle-length.
• Floor-Length - Hem reaches to the floor on all sides.
• Intermission - Hem falls between knee and ankle.
• Hi-Lo - Intermission-length in the front, curving down along the sides to floor-length or longer at the back. Knee-Length - Hem extends just to the knee.
• Mini Skirt - Hem extends to just above the knee.
• Street-Length - Hem reaches just below the knee.
• Tea-Length - Hem reaches to mid-shin.

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TRAINS

• Cathedral - A train that extends 6-8 feet behind the gown.
• Chapel - A train that extends 3-4 feet behind the gown.
• Court - This train extends 1-2 feet behind the gown.
• Sweep - A train that just touches the floor.