Wedding Dress 101 – Parts of a Wedding Dress 

It’s that time of year again when we get to talk about our favorite thing. Wedding dress shopping! After all the holiday season engagements, it’s time to get you prepped for your next life-changing yes. Saying yes to your dream dress! Consider us your personal pep squad and mentor on all things bridal. We’ll start by giving you a quick refresher on the different parts of a wedding dress. In other words, welcome to Wedding Dress Anatomy 101. 

Before you take your seat, though, take our style quiz so you can follow along on a dress that perfectly matches your unique style!

Why Know the Parts of a Wedding Dress?

There’s a lot more that goes into making a wedding dress than you’d think.

Going into your bridal appointment knowing about each part of your wedding dress and the options you have can be invaluable to a bride on the hunt for her dream dress. (Psst! Read about our favorite wedding dress shopping tips!) Being able to explain exactly what you’re looking for in your dress can help speed up the process by narrowing down your options. It will also help you communicate well with your stylist about what exactly you like and dislike about the dresses they pull, which will help them find the dress that perfectly compliments you.

Bottom line: we’re all about educating brides so you can go into your bridal appointment with one of our authorized retailers empowered with knowledge and confidence that you’re going to find a dress that will have you and your entourage in tears.

Identifying Different Types of Wedding Dresses: Silhouettes

First up, let’s talk about the different types of wedding dresses by silhouette!

A sheath wedding gown falls straight, portraying a classic, sexy look. A mermaid or fit-and-flare silhouette hugs your curves but flares out around mid-thigh or the knee. 

Alda by Rebecca Ingram is a great example of a sheath wedding gown, while Lennon by Maggie Sottero flatters a bride looking for a mermaid or fit-n-flare silhouette.

PC: Justin Kunimoto

An A-line style, as seen on Stevie by Maggie Sottero, is a gorgeous silhouette on any bride! This silhouette resembles an “A” shape, and flares naturally at the waist. A-line gowns can be so versatile, pairing well with most necklines, fabrics, and embellishments. Ballgowns are similar to A-lines but offer a much more dramatic princess vibe.

PC: Char Cook Photo

With all the different silhouette options, there are even more smaller details to consider! Some popular, gorgeous details you can find on many different styles include:

• Slits in the skirts
• Scalloped hems
• Two-piece gowns
• Cutouts

Read our blog on maintaining body positivity during your bridal appointment for more info on which silhouette is most flattering for your body type!

Parts of a Wedding Dress: Bridal Necklines

One of the parts of a wedding dress that makes a big difference in your wedding-day look is the neckline. There are several different necklines to consider when searching for your dream gown. For example:

Strapless

Strapless gowns stay put around the upper body but have no shoulder straps. Instead, it is typically supported by an internal corset, with the tightness of the bodice holding the dress in place. Love this look? Check out Norvinia by Sottero and Midgley.

PC: Hopeboat Photography

• Cat Eye: This neckline is one of the most unique, named after its resemblance to a cat’s eye. It comes to a peak at either end, dipping a bit lower in the center for a structured, edgy vibe. We love how sophisticated and romantic it looks, and the way it’s sure to turn heads. Aspen by Sottero and Midgley is perfect for brides who love this unique aesthetic.

PC: Tara Nichole | Sean Gallery

• Sweetheart: the front of a sweetheart neckline is scalloped to resemble the top of a heart. Sweetheart necklines are known to accentuate the decolletage. Although typically strapless, they can also be paired with various styles of straps. If sweetheart is what you’re after, look no further than Harlem by Maggie Sottero.

PC: Ryan Goold Photo

With Straps

• Square: Albany by Maggie Sottero has the chicest square neckline. Square necklines feature a square or rounded square look. They can create the illusion of a longer neck, provide contrast to curves, and highlight sensual collarbones.

PC: Harper Blankenship

• Scoop: A scoop neckline is a rounded neckline that falls lower on the chest than a traditional round neckline would. They are an elegant and flattering option for the majority of brides. Like square necklines, they create an illusion of a longer neck and flatter collarbones with a softer look. Selena by Maggie Sottero is a fantastic example of this type of neckline.

PC: Dylan Wood Photo

• V-neck: V-necklines, as seen on Fontaine by Maggie Sottero, come down to a point on the throat or chest. They generally make brides look longer and taller, as they bring the eye upward toward your face and elongate the neck and body.

PC: Tammy Odell Photography

• Halter: A halter neckline, just like the one on Bellarose by Rebecca Ingram, is typically fairly full-coverage in the front, with straps running up the front of the dress and around the back of a bride’s neck. This style of neckline usually leaves the upper back uncovered. Halter necklines are fantastic for showcasing a bride’s shoulders and drawing the eye upward, which can create a sense of balance in a bridal look.

PC: Sarah Soulseed Photography

Wedding Dress Sleeves and Straps

Next up, we have wedding dress sleeves and straps! Brides, the possibilities are endless when it comes to sleeves and straps. There are spaghetti straps, which are your classic, thin straps. Tank straps are wider, more supportive straps. Cap sleeves are a sweet, delicate sleeve that sits atop your shoulder. Long sleeves are loved by brides around the world. Finally, off-the-shoulder sleeves are another elegant option that exudes sophistication and sensuality.

Not feelings sleeves? No problem! We have plenty of strapless gowns as well. Or if you’ve fallen in love with one of our strapless gowns but want to add sleeves, check out our detachable sleeves!

PC: Maggshots Photography

Here’s an example of how adding detachable sleeves to your dress can elevate your bridal look from a real bride wearing Tuscany Royale by Maggie Sottero!

Different Types of Fabric

When it comes to the parts of a wedding dress, fabric is one of the most important! The choices seem endless, so let’s break it down:

• Crepe: a smooth, slightly stretchy fabric loved by brides for its thickness, comfortable elasticity, and versatility for embellishments. Moriah by Rebecca Ingram is everything a comfy crepe-loving bride could want.

PC: Amy Greene Photo

• Satin and Mikado: Ekaterina by Maggie Sottero demonstrates that satin is a delicate, luxurious textile with a slight sheen and can be very supportive. Mikado is a heavyweight wedding dress fabric, perfect for creating clean lines and supporting shapes.

PC: Madison Richards Photo

• Lace: Alencon, eyelet, Chantilly, embroidered, guipure, soft-knit, and point d’esprit. Each lace type has unique characteristics. Read about them in our lace blog and take a look at Edison by Maggie Sottero!

PC: Vilk Studios

• Organza: Jonah Lane by Sottero and Midgley features this sheer fabric that is less stiff than tulle, traditionally made from woven silk. Organza can be used to create volume and drama without weight.

• Chiffon: a simple, sheer weave fabric that is lightweight and perfect for outdoor or warm-weather weddings. Sound like the perfect fabric for your summer nuptials? Enter Jessica by Maggie Sottero.

• Tulle: a classic, stiff, and transparent fabric typically made of either nylon, silk, polyester, or a blend of fibers. Curious about how it looks? Here’s a peek at Casey by Maggie Sottero.

PC: Lilry Photography

Along with different types of wedding dresses and fabrics come different kinds of wedding dress embellishments! Some options include:

• Floral
• Beaded
• Crystals
• Bows
• Corset backs
• Illusion

Parts of a Wedding Dress: Bridal Trains

Possibly the most fun part of being a bride? Getting to wear a showstopping train like this one on Greenley by Maggie Sottero! Bridal trains are one of the many stunning parts of a wedding dress, but if it’s not your vibe, no worries! Many of our trains can be extended or shortened to fit your wedding vision. We also have many detachable trains so you can have a two-in-one look!

PC: Lavel Marie Photography

Inner Constructions of Maggie Sottero Wedding Dresses

What makes a Maggie dress so special is the attention to detail and inner construction. At Maggie, we’re committed to delivering impeccable design with every dress, including internal corsetry and support for brides of all shapes and sizes. (Read more about our diversity and inclusion efforts!) While there are so many different types of wedding dresses and several different parts of a wedding dress, we’re dedicated to creating an incomparable fit for each and every bride. Skip the shapewear with Maggie, it’s already in your dress itself!

(Psst! Yeah, us again. Check out our plus-size wedding dress picks from our Spring 2024 Collection!

Maggie Sottero Personalizations

Another amazing thing about Maggie Sottero wedding dresses is the opportunity for brides to personalize their gowns! If you love a certain style but want different sleeves, more coverage in the form of a lining, gorgeous buttons draping down the train, detachable trains for a two-in-one look, a different neckline, etc., we have options for you! 

We even offer sister styles of some of our most beloved gowns. Each sister style is based on one of our brides’ favorite gowns but offers something a bit different than the original. Whether that’s a different neckline, silhouette, more (or less!) coverage, etc. Learn more about sister styles on our blog! 

PC: Spiros Photography | Foto Casper Photo

Let’s showcase one of our most popular dresses and her sister style. Meet Hattie and Hattie Lane Marie!

Accessories for your Wedding Dress

Last but not least, we offer so many beautiful accessories for brides who want to elevate their wedding day look! First, the tried-and-true wedding veil. Much like your wedding dress, you can achieve any look you want to with a veil!  Cathedral or fingertip length, lace or beaded, colorful or ivory. Anything you’re searching for, you can find it in a Maggie veil!

We’ve talked a lot about sleeves already, but did you know you can opt for detachable sleeves? Elevate your bridal look with gorgeous long sleeves, for example. You could even accomplish a two-in-one look by removing your sleeves for the reception! Accessorize with a jacket for an even more dramatic look.

Not sold? Check out these stunning sleeves one of our real brides added to her wedding dress, Nikki by Maggie Sottero!

PC: Amy Katherine Photography

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You just aced Wedding Dress Anatomy 101! Now that you know all the different parts of a wedding dress and what you’re looking for in your dream dress, explore our website and find a Maggie gown you’re dying to try on! Then visit one of our Authorized Retailers near you!

Happy shopping, brides!

Check out more of our blogs here:

How to Pick the Perfect Bridal Veil for Your Wedding Dress

Same Dress, Different Styles: Beautiful Wedding Dress Sister Styles

Trend Alert: Wedding Bows For Your Chic Bridal Look