Necklines are also important when choosing a prom dress. The

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 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, silver homecoming dresses 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 homecoming dress 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 chiffon homecoming dresses 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 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.

Queen Victoria and the White Wedding Dress Tradition

Wedding is one of the most important events in every woman's life. Every detail is well planned and organized to make the special occasion perfect; from the decorations, to the wedding invitations, the wedding cake, the wedding favours, the wedding flowers, and especially the wedding dress.

The tradition of wearing an elaborate, white, floor length gown originated in the Victorian Era. Prior to the rise in popularity of the white wedding dress, wedding gowns were often shorter and used bold colors like black and red. It was Queen Victoria who popularized the style of civil wedding dresses gown that is now every woman's fairy tale. After she married Albert of Saxe-Coburg in 1840, women sought to pay homage to the Queen by imitating the style of dress she had chosen.

While the modern white wedding gown is usually associated with a symbolic meaning like virginity, purity, or new beginnings, this was not Queen Victoria's intention when she had her wedding gown created. She wanted to incorporate into her gown a white lace that she was particularly fond of, and she decided that white was the most fashionable color choice. Whatever the origin of the tradition, white wedding dresses have been worn by women for centuries on this most special of days.

By the early twentieth century, wedding gowns become more elaborate with beautiful embroidery and delicate lace to provide a timeless and classical look. Long trains and veils also became popular. At that time, the more elaborate the gown, the more it reflected the wealth and status of the bride.

Nowadays, wedding gowns are no longer a measure of a woman's social status. Regardless of a bride's budget, there are beautiful gowns in all prices ranges so that every woman can feel beautiful on her wedding day.

Wedding dress styles are constantly evolving, but many women still look to the white wedding gown that has been a staple of wedding tradition for so long. For these brides, there is nothing better than the classic elegance and fairy tale beauty of a bridal gowns destination weddings lovely white gown to make the most important day of their lives a memory that will endure forever.