The Empire (Dress) Strikes Back

What girl doesn’t love a good Jane Austen book? The author is responsible for many romantic notions, and empire dresses were often worn by the female characters in her books. Although the empire line dress originated in France in 1790, the style is most often associated with the heroines in novels written by the British author. Thanks to all the actresses wearing empire lines in classic films inspired by Austen, many modern-day women opt to imitate this cut on their wedding day. This style is the epitome of love and romance, yet it’s sensible at the same time, making it perfect for Austen fans of all ages.

Sense and Sensibility

For flower girls, the empire dress is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, largely because the design allows for some level of comfort for girls. It’s not an overly proper or contrived look; rather, it’s a relaxed and painless kind of dress. Any girl that prefers comfort over style will feel good in an empire cut dress. Mesh empire dresses are especially easy to care for and they offer a true vintage look.

It’s all about the Waistline

Even though it’s simple and carefree, this cut is anything but boring. The unique part about an empire cut is the raised waistline, which falls just below the chest, and well above a girl’s actual waistline. A ribbon or bow may encircle the dress at the raised waistline, while the rest of the dress floats freely over the body. The neckline is also intriguing, because rather than being scalloped or plain, the neckline is often square.

One variation on the empire dress for flower girls is the free-flowing A-line empire dress. This version is ever so comfortable and isn’t so terribly binding throughout the bodice, unlike more formal dresses. Lace and beading are the perfect additions to the upper body of the dress, in order to give this style additional interest.

Hot Weather? No Problem

When the weather heats up, no girl wants the bodice of a dress sticking to her body. If an event is going to be held outside, an empire dress is much cooler to wear. Little flower girls everywhere breathe a sigh of relief when they don’t have to put on overly restrictive dresses in the summertime! If your flower girl is going to be spending any amount of time in a space without air conditioning, she will truly be thankful for this dress style.

Little girls aren’t the only ones who appreciate this kind of dress. Many women prefer the floating fabric of the empire line, especially when pregnant. This dress is truly the opposite of a corset, so it’s ideal for any woman who loves style without sacrificing comfort. It’s perfect for disguising extra weight on the lower half of the body, so pear-shaped women prefer this cut over all others.

Since the days of the Regency period at the dawn of the eighteenth century, the empire line has gone in and out of style. In the new millennium, this style has never really gone out of fashion, though some variations are more popular than others. The trapeze dress comes and goes, and it’s just another version of the empire line, though it lacks a seam under the bust line.

The empire style is Jane Austen-approved because it is all about freedom from social and fashion conformity. Girls are less restricted in this style of garment than they would be in other formal gowns, proving that you don’t have to suffer for fashion. The empire line is all about being footloose and fancy free.