silhouette
A-line
An A-line dress is fitted through the bodice and flares gradually from the waist to the hem, tracing the shape of a capital letter A.
Queen of Victoria
Dress for the occasion.
Glossary
Silhouettes: the glossary
Dress silhouettes defined one by one, with line drawings, when to wear each silhouette and what to pair it with.
silhouette
Ball gown
A ball gown has a fitted bodice and a full skirt that starts at the natural waist and reaches the floor, usually held out with tulle or a petticoat.
silhouette
Mermaid
A mermaid dress is fitted from the bodice through the hips to the knee, then flares out sharply to the hem like a fishtail.
silhouette
Trumpet
A trumpet dress is fitted through the bodice and hips and flares from mid-thigh to the hem, like the bell of a trumpet.
silhouette
Sheath
A sheath dress follows the body closely in a straight, narrow line from shoulder to hem, without a waist seam or a flared skirt.
silhouette
Column
A column dress falls straight from the shoulders to the floor in a narrow, vertical line, skimming rather than hugging the body.
silhouette
Empire
An empire dress has a raised waistline just below the bust, with the skirt falling loosely from there to the hem.
silhouette
Fit-and-flare
A fit-and-flare dress is fitted through the bodice to the waist and then flares into a full, swingy skirt, usually ending at the knee or midi length.
silhouette
Bodycon
A bodycon dress is cut close to the body in a stretch fabric, following its shape from neckline to hem.
silhouette
Two-piece
A two-piece dress is a matching top and skirt designed to be worn together, often with a sliver of skin showing at the waist.
silhouette
Peplum
A peplum dress has a short flared ruffle or panel attached at the waist, falling over the hips above a fitted or straight skirt.
silhouette
Slip
A slip dress is a simple, bias-cut dress with thin straps, made in a fluid fabric that skims the body.
silhouette
Shift
A shift dress hangs straight from the shoulders with little shaping at the waist, ending above or at the knee.
silhouette
Wrap
A wrap dress closes by wrapping one front panel across the other and tying at the waist, which forms a V-neckline.
silhouette
Drop waist
A drop-waist dress has its waistline set low, at or near the hips, with the skirt starting from there.