Wedding gowns that feature hints of color have been in

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, 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 indian wedding dresses 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 sparkly homecoming dresses 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.

Is Wearing a Colored Wedding Dress a Fashion Faux Pas

While the classic white wedding dress remains the first choice of most brides, colored wedding dresses are quickly growing in popularity for a number of reasons. For a bride who would like her appearance to be memorable for all of the right reasons, an off color wedding gown is an excellent option. The best type of wedding gown is one that a bride is going to feel comfortable in, and if this means choosing a non-traditional dress, then there will be many beautiful wedding dresses for her to choose from.

Wedding gowns that feature hints of color have been in vogue for many years. If a bride is hesitant about choosing a gown that is one hue, she can choose to introduce color into her wedding gown through a number of different options. Her options for this will include sashes and bows, colored hems, colored embroidery, beading, and color contrasting inset panels. Such delicate and feminine details can add visual interest to one's wedding gown.

When it comes to colors, a bride can play it save by going with the option of choosing a gown that features a different shade of white, other than stark white. A bride who desires to have a gown that features subtle colored accents can choose a gown in hues of champagne, eggshell, shimmering white, or any one of another shade of white. A bride will also have the option to have a gown custom ordered or created for themselves.

Although white still remains the popular choice, surprisingly - it is not difficult to find gowns in a wide array of colors. There are a number of online and brick and mortar retailers who offer a plethora of beautiful dresses. For example, Alfred Angelo offers an exclusive line of colored wedding dresses called Dream in Color. Other designers who offer colored wedding dresses include the Jim Hjelm Blush collection, Helene Bridal, and Mon Cheri. Another option a bride will wedding dresses on line have will be to purchase a colored prom gown and have it altered to fit their frame.

When it comes to choosing different shades of colored dresses, there are no hard or fast rules. For example, jewel tones and pastel shades have been popular for the last several years. Other brides choose colored wedding gowns that are reminiscent of the season in which they will be married. Regardless of the colored wedding gowns that a bride chooses to wear, she is guaranteed to be beautiful on her special day.