You are looking for a dress for a special occasion: wedding, graduation, confirmation, class reunion, etc. However, you don’t know what you are looking for in a dress, however, “you will know it when you see it”. Well, not really because with today’s fashions, you will need to try the “new” styles to see how they look on.
What is a dress? A dress is a garment consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice, giving the effect of a one-piece garment.
There are several categories of dresses:
Chemise – straight dress without a waistline seam, cut with few or no darts, also called shift, sack or pencil.
A-line – dress with normal shoulders, slight flare toward the hemline, but without a waistline seam, also called shift or skimmer.
Trapeze – dress with normal shoulders, no waistline seam, more flare at the hemline than an A-line.
Tent – dress with normal shoulders, no waistline seam but very wide, full and flaring hem.
Caftan – long dress with decorated opening for the neck and long sleeves.
Float – straight dress with no waistline seam, fullness controlled from the pleats or gathers at the shoulders or yoke.
Wedge – dress without a waistline seam, has wide shoulders and tapers to a narrow hemline, usually has dolman sleeves.
Sheath – straight narrow dress without waistline seam, fitted with darts.
Princess – dress without waistline seam, fitted by curved seams originating at the shoulder or armhole, extending over the bust to the hem, the skirt may or may not be flared.
Basic – simple fitted dress, usually cut with jeweled neckline, darts, fitted set-in sleeves, natural waistline and straight skirt, also called a fitted dress.
Empire – dress with a high waistline under the bust.
Drop waist – dress with elongated bodice so that the waistline seam falls below the waist, also called low-torso.
Elasticized waist – waist has elastic for comfort, dress may be belted or unbelted.
Shirtwaist – dress with bodice styled like a tailored shirt, usually buttoned from neck to below the waist, with either a straight or full skirt.
Jumper – sleeveless, collarless dress worn with a blouse or sweater underneath.
Coat dress – dress which fastens usually with buttons from the neck to the hem like a coat, may be single or doubled breasted, worn belted or unbelted.
Sundress – dress with camisole or halter type top worn for casual summer wear.
Asymmetric – dress that is not the same on the left and right sides, may drape to one side or close to one side.
Draped – dress with additional fullness pleated, gathered, or held to one side.
Wrap – dress wraps and fastens to one side, either front or back, may be held with a button/buttonhole, tie or belt.
Pant dress – combination of bodice with divided or split skirt.
With so many styles of dresses you should be able to find what you are looking for, right? No, the fashion designers dictate the styles, colors, prints, lengths, etc. for the season. So when you are looking for a dress for a special occasion, you probably will not find the dress that “you will know when you see it” because it is not made. Your best bet is to try on the new styles. You will be delighted with some and not with others.
The variety of dresses arranges from just above the knee to maxi length, with bold prints and stripes, soft knits to chiffons fabrics, mostly sleeveless – so there are a variety of jackets (lace-like), boleros and cardigans for cover.
Now, when you are looking for a dress this spring/summer, keep an open mind and TRY many different styles on to get an idea of how they look on you, you will be delightfully surprised to find the dress that “you really didn’t know when you saw it”.
Carol Knauf, owner
Rae Baxter’s Fashions
