Wedding Dress Trains

A train can completely transform your look, no matter what shape your dress is. It allows you to change the feel of your outfit from ceremony to reception. The train is simply the elongated back portion of the gown that lies on the floor and trails behind the bride, the added weight demanding a tall and majestic stance. Trains date from the Middle Ages, when the length worn at court indicated a person's social rank. The premise being the wealthier you were, the more fabric you could afford.

Today, gowns with long chapel and cathedral trains are considered the most formal, lending themselves to bustling following the ceremony. Watteau trains (which spill from the shoulder) and court trains (which start from the waist) are less formal. The sweep gently puddles about a foot behind the wearer, and the detachable train - which can be any length and either a flat panel or gathers of fabric - is generally attached to the gown at the waist with buttons or hooks, then later removed to be a bit less informal and not as imposing.

Sweep

The shortest train, extending back one-and-a-half feet or less from where the gown hits the floor. Also known as a 'brush'. See dresses with a Sweep train

Watteau

A train that attaches to the gown at the shoulders and falls loosely to the hem of the dress. See dresses with a Watteau train

Court

The same length as a sweep train, the court train extends directly from the waist.

Chapel

A very popular length, the chapel extends from three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half feet from the waist. See dresses with a Chapel train

Cathedral

A very formal option, the Cathedral extends six-and-a-half to seven-and-a-half feet from the waist. See dresses with a Cathedral train

Panel

A separate simple panel of fabric about a foot wide that acts as a train. It can be court or chapel length and is often detachable to add versatility.

Monarch

Also known as royal, this version extends twelve feet or more from the waist. Managing such a huge amount of fabric often requires pages (young boys), who hold up the train as you walk down the aisle - very regal.