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A bodice is the top part of the dress from bust to waist the bottom of the bodice forms the waist line from where the skirt will fall. The standard bodices discussed below can be part of your individual dress by adding your preferred neckline, straps or sleeves and skirt.
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Empire Line
Again, another style which describes the top of a dress but isn’t officially a bodice. The empire line is basically a very high waistline. The seam which defines the Empire Line lies just under the bust. The bust area is normally very fitted and expert seamstresses can include additional padding to really maximise cleavage. The rest of the dress flows down in a single piece from this seam. See our section on skirts for ideas for the lower part of this dress.
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Princess Line
This isn’t really a bodice as it more a design of dress. However it is important to discuss it in the bodice section as it an option for the style of the top of a wedding dress. For ‘Princess Line’ the material flows from top to bottom without horizontal joins. Darts at the bust give shape and support. It can be used for A-line and Column dresses but it wouldn’t work for a ballgown profile as it couldn’t provide the required definition at the bodice to get the ‘big’ skirt look. Material can then be used over the base dress to provide definition and highlight certain areas however it is the initial cut of the dress that makes it ‘Princess Line’. For example, a crumb catcher effect around the bust or rouching at the waist.
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Traditional Bodices
For bridesmaids, the traditional bodice goes really well with an A-line skirt. Exceptionally fitted and often with boning (support which runs from the bottom of the bodice to the bust to create a near perfect body shape, hold you in all the right places and support even the most ample of bosoms). A traditional bodice sits on the hips just below the waist and then form a point approximately 4 inches below your navel. It is this waist line which makes it one of the most traditional looks for bridesmaid gowns.
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Alternatively, the waist line can be rounded from hip to hip where all points of the line sit on your waist rather than protruding from it in a point. |
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A final option is that it can be drop-waited, where the bottom of the bodice sits 3 inches lower on the hips, again this can either meet in a point or be rounded. |
Now that you know about bodices, if you haven’t already done so, now is the ideal time to have a read of the articles on ‘Skirts, Hemlines & Trains’, ‘Necklines’ and ‘Straps and Sleeves’.
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Related: There are hundreds of wedding articles on the site, each filled with superb ideas, advice and inspiration. Check out the links in the left hand column to read more. Alternatively, to search for a local wedding venue, product or service provider, try our Wedding Directory. With over 13,000 companies already listed, you're sure to find what you're looking for.
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