Dresses: Glossary of Terms

The one-piece silhouette family, sorted by cut and length.

Slip dress

A bias-cut dress with thin straps and a straight, unstructured line — cut like a lingerie slip. Usually silk or satin.

Shift dress

A short, straight-cut dress that falls from the shoulders without a defined waist. Sixties silhouette.

Sheath dress

A fitted, knee-length dress that follows the body without significant flare. Structured, work-appropriate.

Wrap dress

A dress that closes by wrapping one side over the other and tying at the waist. A defined V-neck falls naturally from the wrap.

Shirtdress

A dress cut from a button-up shirt pattern — collar, front placket, cuffed sleeves — extended to a dress length.

A-line dress

A dress fitted at the shoulders or waist that flares gradually to a wider hem. Silhouette reads as the letter A.

Bodycon dress

A dress cut tight to the body from bust to hem, typically in a stretch knit.

Empire dress

A dress with a fitted bodice ending just under the bust, from which the skirt falls straight or A-line.

Fit-and-flare dress

A dress fitted through the bodice and waist, then flaring out into a full skirt. Emphasizes the waist.

Trapeze dress

A dress cut from shoulders that widen dramatically to the hem in a triangular silhouette. Fuller than A-line.

Column dress

A long, narrow dress that falls in a straight line from shoulder or bust to hem. Sleek, formal.

Mermaid dress

A dress fitted through the bodice, waist, hip, and thigh before flaring out sharply at or below the knee.

Sundress

A light, casual warm-weather dress — usually sleeveless or short-sleeved, in cotton or a soft synthetic.

Maxi dress

Any dress that falls to the ankles or floor. A length descriptor, not a silhouette.

Midi dress

Any dress that falls between the knee and the ankle. A length descriptor.

Mini dress

Any dress that falls above the mid-thigh. A length descriptor.

T-shirt dress

A dress cut from a T-shirt pattern — knit fabric, short sleeves, straight or slightly A-line.

Sweater dress

A knit dress in sweater fabric, often ribbed or cabled. Warm; layers over tights or leggings.

Updated 2026-07-30