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Bridal Style Terminology Every Bride-to-be Should Recognize.

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wedding planning, wedding, weddings,When searching for a wedding dress online or in-store, many brides may come across unfamiliar terms. While this could be due to a multitude of reasons, it’s essential to understand these terms, as they often imply a wide range of bridal styles.

Particularly for brides searching for designer bridal wedding gowns online, knowing and understanding these terms may also make it easier to find her ideal dress. However, this knowledge also helps brides shopping in-store when meeting with bridal consultants to discuss what dresses to try on. 

Silhouettes

The silhouette of her gown is the first aspect a bride should narrow in on. Think of it as the outline of the dress, its overall shape. It tells how fitted a gown is and whether it hugs certain areas of the body tighter. A few typical silhouettes are:

  • Mermaid: A mermaid style silhouette is fitted at the bust, waist, and hips while flaring out at the knee. The flare gives the effect of a mermaid tail (hence the name). This style flatters curvy body types or women with wider hips than shoulders. 
  • A-line: An a-line silhouette is fitted through the waist while flaring out softly to create an ‘A’ shape, which offers increased mobility. This style works well for all body types.
  • Ball gown: This silhouette is more on the extravagant side. The ball gown often hugs in at the waist or hips and dramatically flares out for an hourglass effect, hence why this shape works well on women with an hourglass body shape. Ball gowns look great on thin women or women with broader shoulders as it gives the illusion of wider hips. 
  • Sheath: A sheath silhouette is a perfect alternative to a voluminous dress. The style hugs the body and drops straight to the floor, which elongates the bride’s shape. Petite women may find this style flattering.
  • Jumpsuit: This style is a one-piece with a top and long connected pants. There are versions that look great on all body types.

Necklines

The next element is to learn about different necklines. Simply put, the neckline is the top edge of a dress near the neck and chest. Some of the most popular necklines include:

  • Sweetheart: Just like the name suggests, the sweetheart neckline resembles the top half of a heart and gives the bride a leaner appearance. This neckline is very popular on strapless dresses. 
  • High neck: A high neckline dress provides the most coverage of any bridal style and comes up to the base of the neck or above.
  • Off-the-shoulder: The off-the-shoulder neckline is perfect for summer weddings, as it highlights the collarbones and shoulders with its draped sleeves. 
  • V-neck: A v-neckline is ideal for brides looking for the appearance of a longer torso. V-neck dresses appear in a ‘V’ shape and usually have straps or sleeves.
  • Straight across and Square: These necklines are similar in that the dress’s edge lies in a straight line across a women’s decollete. The difference is whether the gown is strapless or not.

Sleeve Styles

Depending on the season, a bride may opt for a dress with sleeves. Some of the most popular sleeve styles include: 

  • Long sleeves: These are more of a formal style and come down to the wrist without being over-the-top. Within the category of long-sleeved dresses is variation in sleeve style. Some dresses have fitted long sleeves made from just lace, while others feature illusion lace. Bell sleeves are another option; made popular in the 1970s but are currently making a comeback. 
  • Off-the-shoulder: These sleeves are great for highlighting the bride’s shoulders and collarbones in a very chic way. 
  • Cap sleeves: These are very short and flutter from the shoulder but does not feature any fabric underneath the arm.
  • Strapless: This style means there are no straps or sleeves on the dress, highlighting the neck, shoulders, and collarbone. For a traditional bride, long gloves look elegant with a strapless ball gown.
  • Puff sleeve: A puff sleeve is fitted at the bottom of the wrist with elastic to keep it in place. It offers a youthful look and can sometimes look bohemian if done right. 
  • Spaghetti strap: These are more of a dainty detail and hold up the dress without covering the arms.

Waistlines

The waistline may seem insignificant compared to the other elements of a wedding dress. However, it adds a signature defining area to the silhouette. Some popular waistline styles to consider are: 

  • Basque waistline: The seams on the basque create a ‘U’ or ‘V’ shape in the front and are on hourglass ball gowns.
  • Empire waistline: This waistline sits just below the bust and is high and raised, creating a tall and slender appearance. 
  • Dropped waistline: This waistline drops to the thighs, creating a leaner and longer torso. This is not necessarily the same as the mermaid style.
  • Medium/natural waistline: This waistline sits at the bride’s natural waist, offering more comfort. 

Trains

The train of a wedding dress adds extra length to the end of the dress. The most common train styles include: 

  • Sweep: This is the shortest train for a dress, at about 10 inches long, and is perfect for outdoor weddings. 
  • Court: The court train is the same size as the sweep, except it extends from the waist rather than the hem. 
  • Chapel: This is 3 feet from the waist and is perfect for brides who want simple.
  • Cathedral: This train is 6 feet from the waist and suits indoor weddings the best.

Terminology Is Helpful 

With so much variation in the style of wedding dresses, researching and understanding bridal terminology before shopping can make the experience much less stressful. It’s helpful for brides to understand what they want but also for when it comes to explaining what kind of dress they’re looking for with ease. 

 

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MumsThread On Traveling In London With a Baby & Pram

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traveling in london while pregnant, traveling in london with pram, traveling in London with baby, with child, London, tube, step free access, babyonboardbadgetravelinginpregnantwhenpregnantI already wrote about traveling in London while pregnant so I thought I would follow up with what it is like to traveling in London when you have a child. If traveling in London while pregnant is awful, when you have a child it is hell. Most tube stations don’t have a lift or step-free access. When Boris Johnson was Mayor of London he promised half of London stations would have step-free access by 2018. I hope the current Mayor Sadiq Khan carries on this promise. It is important for disabled people and those with children. Traveling on buses is stressful and takes a long time. There is also limited space for prams. The bus can only take two prams and I have had to wait ages for a bus which is free. The place for prams is also the wheelchair space. Wheelchair users have priority and rightly so, but I had got abuse in the past for having the pram in there when it is empty. In fact I even saw a Facebook post once written by someone who has no children complaining that there was a pram in the wheelchair space on a bus she was on. Did they get in the way of the wheelchair user?, I asked. No, there was no wheelchair user. This woman just thought this mother should not be on public transport with her baby, taking up space with a pram. Other woman joined in and the split was obvious. The woman who did not have children were talking about how terrible this woman was for just wanting to get somewhere with her baby. I gave my opinion, as calmly as I could, but quite a few of them were abusive. Other woman, mothers and not, eventually joined in to support me, but the entire thing left me feeling  sad. My own mother is in a wheelchair and she was angry at those woman. It is easy to say a mother with a pram should not be using a wheelchair space, but that is the only place on the bus they can go! Folding a pram up is not easy (we have the iCandy Strawberry 2, it is a good pram but can be too big for London living and the back wheels take up too much room). You have to hold the child and this is not  safe. The pram also usually has something under it. It is incredibly isolating being a mother and they have appointments just like everyone else.  I very rarely see a wheelchair user on a bus so it doesn’t make sense that mothers just stay at home. What is the alternatives? Walking? Not always possible. Taxis? Too expensive. It makes me angry that people can be so callous.

Then there is the dirty looks you get and the sighs for your baby not being a robot. If your baby has the nerve to cry on public transport people tend to take it personally. Like your baby is crying just to annoy them. Well, get over yourself. When babies cry it means they are talking. They have as much right as you. And if you are finding it hard for that short burst, imagine how the parents feel. Babies talk to their parent a lot. Sometimes all night.

I live in Southfields and the only place I can get to on the tube to central London is Green Park.  I have only been into Central London without my husband once. It was hell. Usually I would go to Earl’s Court and change. This time I had to go to Earlsfield (where the lift was not working!) rely on the kindness of strangers to go up and down stairs and on and off trains. I even had to push a pram up an escalator. You are not meant to do this but if TFL have a problem with it they can build more bloody lifts. By the time I got to my destination my nerves were frazzled. The entire experience was horrendous. We have never bought a car because you don’t need one when you live in London. It would be silly as we would probably only use it once a year, but I hope that London gets the transport system it deserves soon. An inclusive one for all Londoners.

For more information on traveling in London for pregnant women and buggy users go here. 

 

Different Styles Of Wedding Dresses

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So you are trying to choose a wedding dress but there are so many styles to choose from, and so much jargon, I mean, what the hell is a trumpet? We decided to put together a visual reference guide to help you along the way. Let us know what your favourite is, we had so much fun writing this article and looking at endless pictures of wedding dresses. If you want help and advice planning your wedding then buy our editor, Catherine’s, wedding book, it is full of great advice and lots of tips.  If you are off wedding dress shopping soon then also check out our editors experience of buying her wedding dress. Happy shopping!

Strapless white-strapless-wedding-dresses Sweetheart Neckline Sweetheart neckline wedding dress Halterneck satin-sweetheart-neckline-halter-strap-trumpet-wedding-dress-with-lace-applique-accents  V-Neck

v-neck wedding dress.spring-2013-wedding-dress-monique-lhuillier-bridal-gown-simple-lace-V-Neck-Rustic-Wedding-Dress-Ideas

Plunge

lace-plunge-neckline-a-line-wedding-dress

One-Shoulder

one strap, one shoulder -wedding_dress

Mermaid tulle-lace-mermaid-bridal-gown-sweetheart-neckline A-Line or Princess

Beading A line Strapless Satin Ivory Haute Couture Wedding Dress organza-sweetheart-neckline-a-line-wedding-dress

Empire

Empire wedding dress

Ballgown chic-organza-sweetheart-neckline-ball-gown-wedding-dress Trail / Train

lace-sweetheart-neckline-a-line-wedding-dress

Short

short wedding dress

Trumpet

trumpet-wedding-dress-with-lace-embellished

The trumpet silhouette is different to the mermaid as the skirt gradually flares about mid-thigh. It has a close-fitting bodice.

Backless backless wedding dress Lace Back

Lace-Back-Wedding-Dress-Style lace back wedding dress

Straps Taffeta-A-line-Corset-Back-Gentel-Sweetheart-Neckline-with-Straps-Pick-up-Skirt-with-Chapel-Train-White-Wedding-Dress-WM-0024 Sleeves

lace-v-neck-ball-gown-sheer-laced-sleeves-wedding-dress-with-chapel-train-ab8874

Cap Sleeves perfect-a-line-wedding-dress-with-lace-cap-sleeves-and-sweetheart-neckline

Off-The-Shoulder / Boat Neck

Off The Shoulder A Line Trumpt Train Lace Vintage Wedding Dress SaleWhat one will you choose? What is your favourite?

If you are planning your wedding then get your hands on The Wedding Survival Guide: How To Plan Your Big Day Without Losing Your Sanity. It has great advice on every aspect of wedding planning and lots of great advice on choosing the perfect wedding dress. 

 

 

Beat the Winter Blues With Exercise

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Just because you’re confined to being indoors because  the roads are too dangerous for running or cycling in the dark, doesn’t mean you should halt your fitness regime.

 

 

 

At ICON, we know that working out over the winter months can be a challenge but it really doesn’t need to be. Here they share their top five, ultimate workout tips, which are sure to get you motivated.

 

Follow their simple steps to get the best from your workouts and maintain your fitness routines.

 

Tip 1: Winter Weight gain

The winter often leads to winter weight gain. The cold can make us develop extra excuses when it comes to our motivation to exercise.  Plus, many people suffer from mood changes during the winter months and turn to food for comfort.  The bitter truth is that you will only be wearing a big woolly jumper for a few months and soon you will have to face summer clothes again.  Try to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine during the colder months and getting into shape in the summer will be much easier.

 

Tip 2: Feeling fit and using an indoor training kit

We suggest investing in functional training equipment that you can use in the comfort of your own home. Then you’ll have no excuse to avoid exercise – you won’t have to go to the gym or step outside into minus temperatures.  Plus, the introduction of an exciting new fitness gadget into your life will actually make you want to exercise. We recommend our ICON Health and Fitness range which includes a wide variety of home fitness equipment that will help you through every workout. We especially love their iFit Live™ programme, which is compatible with models from the ProForm and NordicTrack range.  This state of the art software allows you to run anywhere in the world all from the comfort of your own home, thanks to Google Maps™ technology.

 

Tip 3: maintain motivation

If you can imagine attaining your fitness goals, you will soon start to feel more positive, motivated and feel-good endorphins will be released.  As you start to see and feel the results then your motivation will be improved.

 

We suggest setting yourself small realistic goals.  By breaking your goals into smaller, more easily achieved steps, you can work towards your larger long-term goals. Start by walking a mile, then try jogging – build up the distance until you can tackle a marathon!

 

Tip 4: Train like an athlete.

You may not be an athletic hopeful, but adopting the physical and mental approach of an athlete will give you a positive approach to workouts and achieving your goals.

  • Athletes see direct results from their training and you can too. Try treating training as a task at work i.e. something on your to do list that must be completed by the end of the day.
  • Be smart with your exercise choices and get the most out of every workout. Mix your training up and keep your weekly programme varied.
  • Try short sprints, intervals and distance workouts on different days. When you begin to feel the benefits of all your effort then you will become more energised and motivated to continue. Prevent boredom…plan your week with sets, reps, distance and routes to keep your training interesting, challenging and fun.

 

Tip 5: Don’t freeze to feel fit!

As the days become shorter and the nights draw in, remember you can adapt your workout routine so you don’t have to freeze to get fit. Try circuit training in the comfort of your own home, or invest in a static bike or treadmill so you can maintain your cycling or running routine.  We are so impressed by the new ProForm Tour De France Bike. Boasting a 20% motorised incline and decline, Real Road™ resistance technology and iFit Live™ Technology, which is powered by Google Maps™. It has to be the ultimate in cycling workout kit.

 

You can also try booking a ski holiday, and embrace the fact you burn more calories in the cold.  When training outdoors however, make sure you adequately insulate your body and avoid sweat-absorbing material close to the skin and don’t forget a hat!

Passengers Outraged As Rail Fares Set To Rise Above Inflation Again

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Rail commuters are outraged as the so called ‘green’ government backed an above-inflation rail fair rise for already overpriced, overcrowded trains. Fares are expected to rise at least 8%.

The formula for fare increases is usually RPI inflation plus 1%, but for the next three years it is RPI plus 3%.

Rail minister Theresa Villiers said passengers were being asked to pay more for the next three years so that the government could “deliver a massive programme of rail upgrades.” However, Villiers was less than impressive while trying to defend the shocking rise in a BBC interview.

Rail fares for Londoners are also set to rise by up to 13% from January 2012, thanks to government changes to the rules on annual fare rise.

“These massive fare rises will be a disaster for people already struggling with rising costs, and risk pricing those on lower incomes out of jobs,” said Alexandra Woodsworth of the Campaign for Better Transport, who was protesting against the fare rises at Waterloo station today.

It is feared that some people will be priced out of being able to work.

Every New Year, train companies are allowed to push up fares based on the inflation rate published the previous August. Today, that figure was 5%.

Previously, the rule was that companies could only increase fares by 1% more than inflation, which would have seen bad-enough rises of 6% next year. But the current government raised the fare-hike limit to inflation-plus-3%, allowing for rises of 8% in early 2012. It also allows for rises of up to 8% above inflation on some routes, giving the 13% figure.

A 13% hike would see the current cost – £3832 – of an annual season ticket from Brighton to London rise to £4291.

The government blamed its lack of finances for the rail fare hike. Rail companies are subsidised by the government, which means unhappy commuters pay for it both through their taxes and when they pay for their fares.

Rail travel is notoriously bad in the UK. Rail journeys from London to Glasgow cost from £100-170 before these rises with trains often so overcrowded, it is usually standing room only. London is not much better, with people paying more money than anywhere else in Europe to ride in a carriage with no air conditioning and in worse conditions than a sardine in a can. Trying to get anywhere on the weekend is worse, as most lines are having maintenance, causing huge service disruption.

The Coalition government has promised to be a ‘green’ government, but rail fares are now so expensive that it is cheaper to fly, I know a number of people who do. Not so green after all.