(CHOOSE A CATEGORY)
Accessories| Colors | Dress Lengths | Dress Terms | Fabrics | Necklines | Silhouettes | Sleeves | Train Lengths | Trimmings | Veils | Waistlines
| NAME | DEFINITION | CATEGORY | |
| A | A-Line | A dress with a fitted bodice that gradually flares from the waist. | Silhouettes |
| Alencon Lace | Fine needlepoint lace with corded designs on a sheer net background. | Fabrics | |
| Asymmetrical | An uneven design element such as fabric gathered on one side, an uneven hem or a one-shoulder strap. | Dress Terms | |
| B | Ball gown | A classic shape with a fitted bodice and a very full skirt that brushes the floor. | Silhouettes |
| Ballet-length | A full skirt that ends above the ankle. | Dress Lengths | |
| Balloon Sleeves | A sleeve that puffs out from the shoulder. | Sleeves | |
| Basque | A fitted bodice with a dropped waist that dips in the center. | Waistlines | |
| Bateau Neckline | This neckline closely follows the curve of the collarbone. | Necklines | |
| Batiste | A light, transparent wedding gown fabric. | Fabrics | |
| Blouson | A fitted waistband with fabric that blouses over it. | Waistlines | |
| Blusher | A short veil that covers the bride’s face before the ceremony and is flipped back. | Veils | |
| Bolero | A cropped jacket that remains open in the front. | Accessories | |
| Brocade | A heavier fabric woven with a rich raised design to create a tone-on-tone pattern. | Fabrics | |
| Bugle Beads | Long, tubular-shaped glass beads. | Trimmings | |
| Burnout | Chiffon or organza based fabric that has been put through a process that leaves a pattern in the backing fabric. | Fabrics | |
| Bustle | The train is gathered and lifted off the ground in a decorative way to make it easier to walk or dance. | Dress Terms | |
| C | Cap Sleeves | A very short, often rounded sleeve that barely covers the top of the shoulder. | Sleeves |
| Cathedral Veil | The longest of veils, which extends three and a half yards in length. | Veils | |
| Cathedral Length Train | A cascading train extending six to eight feet behind the gown, for the most formal weddings. | Train Lengths | |
| Champagne | A white with pink undertones. | Colors | |
| Chantilly Lace | An elaborate French bobbin lace that is characterized by delicate motifs of scrolls, vines, branches and flowers. | Fabrics | |
| Chapel-length Train | The most popular of all train lengths, it flows three to four feet behind the gown. | Train Lengths | |
| Charmeuse | A lightweight, semi-lustrous fabric, much like satin. | Fabrics | |
| Chiffon | A sheer and transparent fabric made from silk (more expensive) or rayon (more affordable). Due to its delicate transparency, it is often layered. | Fabrics | |
| Comb | A decorative headpiece that is held in place with comb teeth. Most veils are attached with a comb. | Accessories | |
| Corset | A fitted, seamed bodice that often has a lace-up back and boning for structure. | Accessories | |
| Court Train | A train extending one foot beyond the sweep train. | Train Lengths | |
| Crepe | A soft thin fabric with a crinkled surface. | Fabrics | |
| Crown | A traditional headpiece that sits atop the head and usually has jeweled or beaded embellishments. | Accessories | |
| D | Damask | Like Brocade, it has raised designs, but is lighter in weight. | Fabrics |
| Décolletage | A low-cut neckline that reveals cleavage. | Necklines | |
| Detachable Train | A train that can be removed. | Train Lengths | |
| Diamond White | A shade off of stark white. This is a safe choice if you’re not sure which white to pick. | Colors | |
| Dropped Waist | The waistline of the dress is a few inches below the natural waist, usually at the hips. | Waistlines | |
| Duchess Satin | An elegant, lustrous fabric that is shiny, heavy and luxurious. | Fabrics | |
| E | Elbow-length veil | A shorter veil, often in multiple layers, extending to the elbow. | Veils |
| Embroidery | Detailed designs stitched into the gown. | Trimmings | |
| Empire | A bodice with a high waistline directly below the bust. | Silhouettes | |
| Eyelet | An open-weave embroidery that is typically associated with warm weather. | Fabrics | |
| F | Faille | A glossy, soft, finely-ribbed silk-like woven fabric made from cotton, silk or rayon. | Fabrics |
| Fairytip Veil | A wedding veil that extends to the fingertips. | Veils | |
| Floor-length | A gown that lightly touches the floor all around. | Dress Lengths | |
| Flyaway | A layered veil that barely reaches the shoulder. | Veils | |
| French Bustle | A French Bustle is hooked from underneath, so that the bustled fabric lays on the outside. | Dress Terms | |
| G | Garter | A band of elasticized fabric worn around the bride’s upper thigh. | Accessories |
| Gauntlet Sleeves | Long, fitted sleeves or gloves that end in a point over the back of your hand. | Sleeves | |
| Georgette | A sheer, lightweight crinkly crepe-like fabric. | Fabrics | |
| H | Hair Clip | Clips that are adorned with crystals, beads or flowers. | Accessories |
| Hairpin | A long U-shaped pin that is used to secure hair or a hair accessory. It can also be decorative, accented with crystals, rhinestones, pearls, etc. | Accessories | |
| Halter | A neckline that has straps that wrap around the neck and connect at the back. | Necklines | |
| Headband | A band that follows the shape of the head. | Accessories | |
| Hi-Lo length | A variation of the Intermission-length, the Hi-Lo has an Intermission-length front and a Floor-length back. | Dress Lengths | |
| I | Illusion | A sheer net-like fabric used on the sleeves or necklines of wedding gowns. | Dress Terms |
| Intermission-length | The dress falls between the knee and mid-calf. | Dress Lengths | |
| Ivory | A creamy or yellowish white. | Colors | |
| J | Jacquard | A fabric with a raised design or pattern woven into it. | Fabrics |
| Jersey | A soft fabric with a bit of stretch. | Fabrics | |
| Jewel Neckline | A high, rounded neckline that sits at the base of the neck. | Necklines | |
| Juliet Cap | A close fitting cap often decorated with precious stones or crystals, and worn as a wedding bride’s headpiece. | Accessories | |
| Juliet Sleeves | A fitted sleeve with a pouf at the shoulder. | Sleeves | |
| K | Knee-length | The gown falls just below the knee, slightly shorter thenIntermission-length. Also called Knee-length. | Dress Lengths |
| M | Mantilla | This veil is traditionally circular shaped and made of tulle or chiffon edged in lace or it’s entirely made of lace. They range from short simple designs to elaborate cathedral length creations. | Veils |
| Mermaid | A dress that is fitted through the hips and thighs and then flairs below the knee. Also know as a Trumpet. | Silhouettes | |
| Mikado | A blended silk that is usually heavier than regular silk. Can also be made of polyester. | Fabrics | |
| Miniskirt | The dress stops above the knee. | Dress Lengths | |
| Moire | A heavy silk taffeta, that has a subtle, wavy pattern. | Fabrics | |
| Muslin | A light cotton fabric that is finely woven and typically white. It is often used to make a test garment before sewing the final piece. | Fabrics | |
| N | Natural Waist | The smallest part of a person’s midsection—the indentation between the hips and the ribcage. | Dress Terms |
| O | Off the Shoulder | A neckline that sits below the shoulders or drapes over the upper arm. | Necklines |
| Organdy | A stiff, transparent silk or rayon fabric. | Fabrics | |
| Organza | A sheer, stiff fabric of silk or synthetic material. It is similar to tulle [link to Tulle], but less coarse and more flowing. | Fabrics | |
| P | Pickup Skirt | A design element where fabric is picked up at various points and attached to the skirt to create a voluminous look. | Dress Terms |
| Polyester | An inexpensive synthetic fiber that can be woven into almost any fabric. | Fabrics | |
| Portrait | A neckline that comes just above the shoulder and comes to a point above the bustline in the center of the dress. | Necklines | |
| Q | Queen Anne Neckline | A high rising collar at the back of the neck that cups the sides of the neck and sometimes plunges in the front. | Necklines |
| R | Rayon | A smooth manufactured fabric that is similar to silk, but more elastic and affordable. | Fabrics |
| Royal Train | A train that is more than four feet in length. | Train Lengths | |
| Ruched | Tight decorative gathers in fabric. | Dress Terms | |
| S | Sabrina Neckline | A wide, shallow, straight neckline that begins 2 inches inside the shoulder and sits close to the base of the neck. | Necklines |
| Satin | A smooth fabric made of silk or rayon, woven with a glossy face and a dull back. | Fabrics | |
| Scoop Neckline | A wide U-shaped neckline. | Necklines | |
| Sequins | Small, shiny discs sewn on fabric to add sparkle. | Trimmings | |
| Shantung | Silk that has a rough, nubby appearance. Once only associated with silk fabrics, shantung can be a finish for synthetic fabrics as well. | Fabrics | |
| Sheath | A body-fitting gown with no defined waistline. | Silhouettes | |
| Silk | An expensive, lustrous, and fine but strong natural thread. | Fabrics | |
| Square Neckline | The neckline is cut straight across angled corners where the straps or sleeves meet. | Necklines | |
| Stark White | The brightest, crispest white. | Colors | |
| Strapless | A dress without straps or sleeves. | Dress Terms | |
| Street-length | The gown falls just below the knee, slightly shorter then Intermission-length. Also called Knee-length. | Dress Lengths | |
| Sweep Train | The shortest train, which barely sweeps the floor. | Train Lengths | |
| Sweetheart | The neckline dips in the front, like the top of a heart. | Necklines | |
| T | Taffeta | A medium weight fabric with varying sheen. | Fabrics |
| Tea-length | The dress ends at mid-calf. | Dress Lengths | |
| Tiara | A jeweled or beaded semi-circle headpiece that can be worn alone or with a veil. | Accessories | |
| Train | A length of fabric which extends from the back of the gown. Train lengths include: Sweep, Chapel, Cathedral, Court, Royal or Watteau. Trains may be detachable. | Dress Terms | |
| Trumpet | A dress that is fitted through the hips and thighs and then flairs below the knee. Also know as a Mermaid. | Silhouettes | |
| Trunk Show | A special event at a bridal salon where a designer shows his or her entire collection. | Dress Terms | |
| Tulle | A sheer to semi-sheer net fabric often used for skirts and veils. | Fabrics | |
| V | V-Neck | A neckline that dips down in the front and often in the back as well. | Necklines |
| Velvet | A heavy woven tufted fabric with a short dense pile, giving it a distinct feel. | Fabrics | |
| W | Watteau Train | A train that falls from the shoulders to the hemline of the gown. | Train Lengths |
| Wreath | A full circle, usually of flowers, other worn on the crown of the head. | Accessories |
