GOWNS

2. Evening wear:

Evening-wear is often also referred to as Formal wear, where the female dresses like a ‘Lady’, and the male dresses like a ‘Gentleman’. In the western parts of the world, the most common evening-wear for women is gowns (in some cases cocktail dresses are accepted) and for the man is a tuxedo (or a black tie suit). Although whereas in India, even a suitable Indian wear is also considered Formal/evening wear.

General styles of evening gowns are:

Sheath

A sheath style evening gown, like the usual sheath dress, is designed to fit the body tightly. It is generally unbelted, and has a straight drape. It can have shoulder straps or be strapless.

Mermaid

Mermaid, as the name suggests, means that the evening gown is shaped like a mermaid. It is form-fitting at the bodice, and the skirt is designed to resemble a mermaid’s tail in silhouette.

A-line

The A-line silhouette is somewhat bell-shaped, it is close-fitting at the top and widens gradually at the bottom, without gathers or pleats. This makes the evening gown simple but elegant.

Trumpet

If the evening gown is trumpet shaped, it is tight-fitting until it reaches the knees, where it flares.

Empire

The Empire silhouette involves the waistline coming up to just below the bust, from which the skirt hangs straight and loose, in a simple breezy style.

Dropped Waist

The waistline of the evening gown is dropped below the actual waistline. The skirt can be fitted or flared.

Princesse

A princesse style evening gown is also tight, cut in single pieces, such as gores, and hanging in an unbroken line from shoulder to flared hem.