Paw Paw's Bridal Center :: The best price, service, and selection in the Baton Rouge Metro Area
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Bridal Vendors
Alfred Angelo, Davinci Bridal, Dessy, Dylm, Eden Bridals, Impression Bridal, Jasmine Bridal, Jim Hjelm Occasions, Jordan Fashions, Maggie Sottero, Majestic Bridals, Mary’s Bridal, Moonlight Bridal, Night Scene LA, Saison Blanche, Victoria’s Collection, Watters

Choosing a Dress

Gown Silhouettes  
  • Ball gown - appealing off-the-shoulder bodice nipping into a natural waist with lavish, full skirt.
  • Basque - natural waist with V-front.
  • Empire - small, scooped bodice gathering at high waist, a slender yet graceful skirt.
  • Princess - slim-fitting, with vertical seams flowing from shoulders to hem.
  • Sheath - narrow, body-hugging style without a waist.

Lengths and Trains  
  • Street Length - hem just covering knees.
  • Intermission length - hem falling slightly below the knee in front, to the ankle in back.
  • Ballet length - hem reaching to center of the calf or a bit below.
  • Floor length - hem fully skimming the floor.
  • Sweep train - shortest train, barely sweeping the floor.
  • Court train - a train extending one foot longer than the sweep train.
  • Chapel train - most popular train- about one-and-one third yards.
  • Cathedral train - very formal-cascading two –and-one-half yards.

Fabrics  
  • Brocade - heavy fabric with interwoven, raised design.
  • Chiffon - a simple weave-often of silk or rayon- with a soft or stiff finish.
  • Eyelet - open-weave embroidery used for decoration.
  • Moire - silk taffeta patterned to glisten like water when illuminated.
  • Organza - sheer,crisply textured fabric,almost transparent.
  • Silk-faced satin - brimming with body, with an antique sheen.
  • Slipper satin - lustrous, stiff satin fabric made primarily of acetate.
  • Taffeta - a crisp,smooth fabric with small,crosswise rib.
  • Tulle - fine, sheer net fabric of silk,nylon or rayon.
  • Shantung - rough-textured plain-weave silk or man made fiber.
  • Faille - crisp,flat-ribbed fabric of silk or rayon.
  • Charmeuse - lightweight,smooth,semi-lustrous silk or synthetic fabric.
  • Chintz - Cotton fabric(sometimes glazed) printed with floral designs.

Lace  
  • Alencon - originated in Alencon, France;needle-point lace with designs on sheer net. Delicate.
  • Chantilly - from Chantilly, France;scroll and floral designs on fine mesh, often with scalloped edges.
  • Schiffli - machine-made,delicate floral embroidery.
  • Venice - heavy,needle-point lace with floral sprays,foliage, or geometric designs, first made in Venice.

Neck Lines  
  • High - collar just brushing the chin.
  • Off-the-shoulder - falls below the shoulders,but with sleeves.
  • Boat (or Bateau) - gently following curve of the collarbone almost to the tip of the shoulders, same across the back.
  • Queen Anne - rising high at the nape (back) of the neck, then sculpting low to outline a bare yoke.
  • Sabrina - a high,slightly curved neck.
  • Square - shaped like half a square.
  • Sweetheart - shaped like the top half of a heart

Sleeves  
  • Dolman - extending from an armhole so large it creates a cape-like effect,often fitted at wrist,similar to bat wing.
  • Leg-of-mutton (or Gigot) - wide and rounded at shoulder, tapering to a snug fit on lower arm.
  • Melon - extravagantly rounded from shoulder to elbow.
  • Puff - short sleeve gathered into gentler rounded shape.
  • Cap - small sleeve just covering the top of the arm.
  • Three-quarter - sleeve ending between the elbow and wrist.

Headpieces  
  • Floral wreath-circlet of flowers that can nestle on top of the head or at mid-forehead.
  • Half hat - small hat covering half, or less than half, of the back of the head.
  • Juliet cap - ornately festooned cap that hugs the back of the head.
  • Mantilla - fine,lace veiling usually secured to an elegant comb,gently framing the face.
  • Picture hat - ornamented hat with very large brim.
  • Tiara - ornate crown resting high atop the head.
  • Profile - cluster of silk flowers, pearl sprays or crystals secured on a comb and worn asymmetrically on one side of head.
  • Half-wreath - decorative headpieces covering half or less than half of the head.
  • Chignon - cluster of silk flowers,pearls sprays secured on a comb and worn at back of head.

Veils  
  • Blusher - loose veil worn forward over face or back over the headpiece; often attached to longer, three-tiered veil.
  • Fly-away - multi-layers that brush the shoulders, usually worn with an informal, ankle-length dress or a style with details in back.
  • Birdcage - falling just below chin, gently shirred at the sides, and usually attached to hats.
  • Chapel length - cascading about two-and-one-third yards from head-piece.
  • Cathedral length - flowering about three-and-one-half yards from head-piece, usually worn with cathedral train.
  • Ballet (or waltz) length - falling to the ankles.
  • Fingertip - most popular length,gracefully touching the fingertips.

Most veils are made of nylon or silk material called illusion. Embellishments often include poufs, which are small gathers of veiling on the crown of a headpiece. Wreaths often have flowing ribbons called streamers, tied into “love knots”.

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