Dress Styles
I can’t say that I’m writing this on behalf of all Dress Designers, but I’m fairly certain that we all would benefit from having a common understanding of the meanings of certain words. This is an open post that I will keep up so that others can add to it to develop a Glossary of Terms that we (at least) know something about.
Customers are regularly using Babydoll, Cupcake, and Gown almost interchangeably. From a designer’s POV, these are 3 very different styles. Different styles mean different construction. Different styles translates to different quantities of fabric (and quite possibly different fabrics themselves). Different construction translates to very different allocation of time. And time has to be managed perfectly so as not to cause major issues in the schedule. Nobody enjoys working under great stress. No customer enjoys being let down because of scheduling conflicts. SO, maybe, just maybe, if we can all know what it is we’re asking for and quoting on we could avoid some frustrations.
- A Babydoll is a ONE PIECE dress (shorter bodice with a longer skirt layers)
- A Cupcake is a TWO PIECE dress (longer bodice with a separate skirt)
- A Gown is a floor length Dress
- “Custom Design” is an original design created specifically for you, to your measurements and wishes. Ethically, this excludes copying another designer’s style.
All designers live and die by measurements. There is nothing more heartbreaking that to dedicate days of our lives to creating for customers who then immediately have to sell the new dress because it does not fit. Honestly, it’s devastating because we really do care. So, please know your daughter’s measurements before ordering. Follow this link to view a basic reference guide for measurements
I hope this has been useful. Please feel free to add to it! Or, feel free to ask clarification on any terminology you’ve come across and not understood.
Feel free to drop any questions you have below.