A very defining characteristic of all flower girl dresses or simple girl’s dresses is the garment’s basic shape. Most usually, when selecting a flower girl dress, the bride or person making the selection has a color and shape in mind. However, it is not very often that we all know the basic shapes or silhouettes for flower girl dresses (and ladies’ dresses as well). So, here, will have a very basic discussion to describe the most well known feminine dress silhouettes.

A royal favorite of all times is, of course, the ball gown. A ball gown has a tightly fitted bodice that envelopes the chest and waist; fitting tightly at the natural waist and then exploding into a very full skirt.

A basque style ball gown dips severely down from the waistline front and center, into a sharp “V”. This silhouette will remind one of middle age stomachers and perhaps Queen Elizabeth the First. All ball gowns traditionally have a very full skirts with layers and layers of material. True ball gowns require precise fittings and often a series of alterations. Often petticoat slips and even hoops are used to expand the skirt and make the silhouette more dramatic.

An empire gown may remind the hopeless romantic of Jane Austen characters or Kate Greenaway illustrations. This flower girl dress shape is simple and elegant; it has a cropped bodice with empire waist and skirt naturally flowing beneath. The empire gown is flattering on almost all children and more relaxed for easy fit. Children often feel comfortable in this dress silhouette as it was originally executed to relieve children from the pains of proper dress in the eighteenth century.

A princess silhouette simply consists of vertical seams that travel from the shoulders to the hemline of a more expansive skirt. Princess dresses will often have a fitted bodice to the natural waist and then delicately expand into a full skirt. A tea length princess dress is a classic flower girl dress that requires some fitting, but is easily beautiful when tied with a sash and bow at back. A princess dress may remind one of Audrey Hepburn in “Love in the Afternoon” or “Roman Holiday”. It is a proper, young dress. Cropped jackets and sweet sweaters are wonderful accents to a princess style dress.

Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” should give a reminder of the A-line silhouette. This shape is by design very chic and elegant; perhaps more appealing to older girls and tweens. The A-line has a fitted bodice and very softly flares from under the bust line to the hem line. There usually is no waistline attachment for the skirt; rather the bodice flows down into the skirt through vertical panels stitched together that flow out to the hemline. It is a soft and gentle waterfall that travels down the figure. Were the skirt to continue to the floor, the waterfall would puddle just a bit. This option is a wonderful flower girl dress for young ladies who wish to avoid fluff and fuss in a fancy dress. It is also a favorite of older flower girls and junior bridesmaids.

A simple sheath rests closely to the body, having no waistline and a straight skirt. Flapper dresses of the 1920’s were often sheath style and many vintage inspired flower girl dresses made of lace overlays with slips beneath are sheath inspired. This flower girl dress style can be very comfortable and lovely on most young girls. The sheath, in its simplicity, does not have the “tools” of waistline and skirt fullness to flatter the figure. Sheaths are often made of more sheer and delicate materials, so be sure your flower girl is not overly body conscious. This style, too, is a less froo-froo option for a flower girl.

Sheaths can also be made of heavy materials that hug the body and expand wildly below the knee; this is the mermaid silhouette. It is perhaps a bit too grown up for most flower girls and traditional weddings. This was favorite glam style of the 1930’s.

Additions and specialization of dress silhouettes can be designed through skirt width and other design elements that are added to waistlines or hips. These are discussed in a forthcoming article as are the body types most suitable to each basic dress shape.