Dresses

Vocabulary / Dresses

A-Line – Dress with a typically fitted waist and wider hem (hem being the bottom of the skirt part), and shoulders being tight as well, overall silhouette looks like an ‘A’

Babydolls – a sleeveless and short (mini length) flowy dress, often resembles nightgowns or lingerie

Ball Gown – An extravagant looking dress meant to be worn at a fancy event, can be characterized by giant poofy skirts. Think of Disney princess dresses.

Blouson – A dress with 2 parts to it. There is the upper body part the will resemble a blouse, loose and flowy, and with a fitted waist (with either a belt, elastic waist, etc.) which then morphs into a skirt (length varies by garment)

Bodycon – A fitted dress that is contoured to your body shape

Cocktail dress – umbrella term for dresses that look nice but aren’t too fancy (hence the name implying you should wear them to cocktail parties)

Chemise – A simple (usually white) loose dress. Sometimes there are added details such as ruffles or puffed sleeves but is overall rather plain.

Column Gown – A straight silhouette dress, typically quite fitted, meaning there is little to no flowiness to the skirt or body.

Double-Breasted – A dress with 2 columns of buttons at the front for a closure.

Fit & Flare – fitted at the waist and flared out skirt part. A flare is different from poof as it’s more like a curve instead of volume.

Gown – A term for more formal dresses that go past the knee in length, usually to the floor. Different from Ball Gown in that the skirt part is much less poofy most of the time.

Halter – A dress that fits with fabric around the neck to hold it up. Refers to the neckline rather than fit of the dress.

High-Low – A dress with shorter fabric at the front of the skirt part and longer in the back, exposing the front of your legs while hiding the back.

Jumpsuit – A 2 in 1 of a shirt/pants combo together.

Maxi dress – a term for long in length, usually close to ankle. Meant to be worn with heels if you are short

Mermaid – A dress that is fitted right down to your knees, where the skirt part then separates and flares out to create a mermaid’s tail look. They are also always quite long, usually maxi or even longer.

Open back – A dress wear your back is visible, is seen as more formal/sexier

Pullovers – A long dress that you put on by pulling it over your head. Because of this they are often quite loose and resemble pullover sweaters, including in their material.

Romper – A romper is basically a shorter jumpsuit. A one piece short/shirt combo done up with zippers or buttons but with shorts instead of pants

Sheath – A simple dress that is fitted at the waist with a high neckline, usually boat or scoop. Similar to shift dresses but with a fitted waisted instead of loose

Shift – A loose simple dress that hangs from the shoulders, not fitted waist but does always have a high neckline (scoop or boat). Similar to sheath dresses

Shirt dress – A shirt dress is a giant shirt with extra length to make it into a dress. They usually are button ups in the front. Often looks better belted.

Slip dress – A slip dress is a usually bodycon dress with spaghetti straps meant to be slipped on and off quickly. They’re usually made of satin and are midi in length most of the time. It is a very simple feminine dress intended to be a little provocative with a plunging neckline and be light to wear, often server as an undergarment.

Sundress – a catchall term for short sleeve or sleeveless flowy midi dresses with spaghetti straps and a low, wide neckline. Almost always bright colors or fun prints like floral patterns.

Sweater Dresses – Very similar to t shirt dresses, sweater dresses are made of a sweater-like material and are typically designed to look like a long sweater. This style varies greatly since it mainly refers to the material.

Wrap – A dress closed at the with a belt or by tying/wrapping the fabric up. Almost always has a v-neck for a neckline.