Before you walk into a bridal shop, talking about a dream dress that "has a neck that kind of goes this way and then it does that droppy thing and the sleeves are kind of like, you know" maybe you should learn a few fashion terms to help you describe that look you're loving.

Silhouettes

A-line. Starts close to the body at the top, then flares gently away (no pleats, no gathers), just like the letter "A" in its name.

Ballgown. This is the classic wedding gown silhouette. The waist falls at the natural waistline and is very defined straight across, with a full skirt. This style looks lovely on almost everyone.

Basque. Similar to a ballgown, with a dropped waist that is defined by a V-shape.

Empire. Like Gwyneth wore in Emma: The bodice ends just below the bustline, with a slim skirt flowing out beneath it.

Mermaid. This ultra-slim-fitting dress follows your every curve and then finishes with a flourish, slightly belled out at the hem, like a mermaid's tail. Many women find it difficult to move and dance comfortably in this style of gown.

Princess. The dress is fitted through the waist, then flares gently out. It has no waistline seam; side seams shape it instead.

Sheath. This slinky style follows your body line, with a fitted waistline and narrow skirt.

Necklines

Band. The collar of this neckline encircles your neck. It has a look similar to that of a mock turtleneck.

Bateau. From the French word for boat, this is a high neckline that extends to the shoulders, and is, in fact, shaped like a boat. (But think Audrey Hepburn instead.)

Bertha. Attached fabric or lace panel all around the neckline.

Crew. Similar to the jewel, but it falls higher on the neck.

Décolletage. Cleavage-revealing, plunging neckline.

Fichu. Fabric of neckline is wrapped around the shoulders. Looks like an attached shawl.

Halter. This sleeveless design encircles the neck, sometimes with just a shoestring, leaving shoulders and back bare.

Jewel. A rounded neckline that scoops slightly to follow your collarbone, giving your pearl or jeweled necklace the showcase it deserves. Off-the-shoulder. A low neckline that extends around the upper part of the arms and bares the shoulders.

Queen Anne. High at the back and sides, actually covering the nape of the neck, but it plunges in the front. Not often seen these days. Portrait. An off-the-shoulder neckline that owes its name to the way it "frames" the face. It often has a folded neckline that stands away from the body.

Sabrina. Straight neckline beginning two inches inside the shoulder, slightly higher than a bateau neckline.

Scoop. This is a low neckline, which can be cut deep in the front, back or both.

Square. Shaped like a square at the neckline. A square- shaped neckline that is not cut low enough might look matronly. This style is not usually flattering on women with small busts.

Sweetheart. This charming style looks like it sounds...a modest, heart-shaped finish to the front of the bodice, which accentuates the bustline.

Tip of the shoulder. A just-barely-off-the-shoulder neckline.

V-neck. Just like it sounds, front or back.

Sleeves

Cap. These barely-there sleeves just cover the shoulder.

Fitted. The sleeves stay close to the arm. You can find them in various lengths.

Illusion. Sleeves made of a very fine net, they're nearly transparent.

T-shirt. These are just like the sleeves on your favorite Sunday lounging shirt. They're straight and fall halfway between the shoulder and elbow.

Three-quarter-length. These sleeves break between your wrist and elbow.

Balloon. Look just what they sound like. The sleeves are puffy from shoulder to elbow, and end there.

Bishop. Somewhat full sleeves from shoulder to cuff.

Cap. Very short, fitted sleeves that just cover the shoulders.

Dolman. Extend from a considerable width at the armhole to a fitted width.

Fitted Point. Long, fitted sleeve that extends to a point on the top of the hand, just below the wrist.

Gauntlet. Detachable sleeve that covers the forearm (like an elbow-length glove with no hand section).

Juliet. Long sleeve, which is puffy like a balloon at the top and fitted on the lower part of the arm.

Leg-Of-Mutton. Full and rounded at the top, fitted on the lower arm. Similar to a Juliet except that the sleeve is tapered from the full part to the fitted part.

Pouf. Very short, full sleeve worn either on or off the shoulder.

Waistlines

Asymmetrical. Begins at natural waistline, angles to one side. Looks best on curvy figures.

Basque. This is a tight, elongated bodice that comes to a V in the front. Disguises a slightly protruding tummy.

Blouson. Fabric is gathered at the waist, creating a fullness above. Adds dimension to a straight waistline.

Dropped. Waistline falls inches below the natural waist. This style can make the waistline appear slimmer, the bride longer and thinner.

Natural. The bodice and skirt of your dress are joined right at your waist.

Dress lengths

Ballet. Falls at or just above the ankle. Floor. Hemline falls approximately one inch from the floor.

Intermission. Hemline falls shorter in front (about mid-calf length) than in back (floor length).

Street. Hemline just covers the knee.

Tea. Hemline falls below the knee, but above the ankle.

Trains

Cathedral. Extends 2 1/2 yards from the waist.

Chapel. Extends 1 1/3 yards from the waist. Court. Extends one yard from the waist.

Sweep. Short train that barely sweeps the floor.

Watteau. Attached at the shoulders rather than at the waist.

Skirt details

Flounce. Strips of decorative fabric or lace, gathered and attached at the hem or around the waistline.

Pannier. Gathered fabric at waist worn over the sides of the hips. Adds curves to a straight figure.

Peplum. Short overskirt of flounce starting at the waistline. Adds curves to a straight waistline.

Tiered. Layered panels of fabric that fall from the waist to the hem in varying lengths.

Headpieces

Juliet Cap. Small cap that hugs the back of the head.

Mantilla. Lace-trimmed veiling that frames the face and is usually secured with a comb.

Picture Hat. Large brimmed hat, usually trimmed with lace, pearls, and sequins.

Pillbox. Small, structured, brimless hat.

Profile. Comb worn asymmetrically on one side, usually decorated with sprays of sequins or pearls.

Snood. Netting worn at the nape of the neck to confine hair.

Tiara. Ornamental crown.

Veils

Ballet or Waltz Length. Falls to the ankle.

Blushe. Short, single veil worn forward to cover bride's face, usually worn back from the face after the ceremony. It is sometimes detachable.

Cathedral Length. Falls 3 1/2 yards from headpiece, usually worn with a cathedral train.

Fingertip Length. Touches fingertips when arms are at sides.

Fly-Away. Multi-layers that brush shoulders, usually worn with an informal dress.

Pouf. Short amount of gathered veiling attached to a headpiece, usually worn with informal gowns.

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