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Accordion pleats
Close-together pleats that boast folds resembling the bellows of an accordion. The edges all face in one direction.
Box pleat
Folds of fabric pressed on top to form a flat, box-shaped pleat; an inverted pleat is formed between each box pleat.
Bustle
Bunches of fabric (or the train) gathered at the back of a gown, secured with buttons or hooks.
Draping
Swaths of fabric pleated or gathered to a side or back seam of a skirt, adding fullness.
Flounce
A wide ruffle around the bottom of a skirt.
Petal
A type of overskirt that falls in rounded sections (similar to the petals of a flower) and usually reveals an underskirt of a different fabric.
Streamers
Strings or ties that trail down the back of the gown.
Tails
Panels of the same or contrasting fabric, which trail behind the gown like a train.
Tiered
A skirt made of layers of various-length fabrics.
Bias-cut
Cut on the diagonal, or bias, of the fabric.
Bubble
A skirt gathered to a small waistline, then ballooned out and tapered in at the hem.
Fishtail
A skirt with an additional, stitched-on panel in the back, simulating a fishtail.
Fan-back
A skirt with accordion pleats in the back, extending from just below the waist or knees.
Mermaid
A slim, tapered, curve-hugging skirt that follows the line of the hips and thighs and flares out below the knee.
Overskirt
A second skirt that lies over the main skirt, covering it partially without coming together in the front.
Trumpet
A straight-lined skirt that flares toward the hem, like the mouth of a trumpet.
Floor
The hem of this gown brushes the floor on all sides. A wonderful formal look that works well on both straight and full gown styles.
Ankle
The ankle length gown is hemmed right at the ankles. A nice semiformal option that can be wither full or formfitting.
Ballerina
Like the name implies, the ballerina features a full skirt (think tutu) that reaches to just above the ankles. Very fun and flirty –great for an outdoor wedding.
Intermission
This hem falls anywhere between the knee and the ankle. Perfect for a semiformal or more casual affair.
Tea length
A gown hemmed to a few inches below the knee. Conservative, but with a modern twist.
Hi-Lo
A variation of the intermission, the hi-lo features and intermission hem on the front, and a floor-length (or longer) hem in the back. A popular look for bridesmaids.
Knee
Another great look for maids or for a casual bride, this style of skirt ends just below the knee.
Mini
For the super-sassy bride – a skirt that ends mid-thigh.
* Source: the knot, Book of Wedding Gowns, by Carley Roney, 2001, Chronicle Books, San Fransisco.
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