empire-waist
Bustline dress cut
Empire-waist describes a garment with a raised waistline sitting just below the bust, allowing fabric to flow loosely over the body beneath.
The style originated in early 19th-century France during Napoleon's empire, when women's fashion favored high-waisted, flowing silhouettes inspired by classical Greek dress: an empire-waist wedding gown, empire-waist tops that flatter during pregnancy.
Proxy rule period
- Jane AustenRegency-era English novelist
- NapoleonicOf the French emperor
- neoclassicalReviving ancient aesthetic principles
- GrecianOf ancient Hellas
1800s · period costume · columnar · Georgian · classical antiquity · Josephine · period drama · ballroom
Long formal garment
- dressSkirted one-piece garment
- bodiceFitted upper garment
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- A-lineFitted-top flared garment
babydoll · maxi · tunic · bridesmaid · maternity · sleeveless · flowy · draped
Regency
Proxy rule period
- Jane AustenRegency-era English novelist
- NapoleonicOf the French emperor
- neoclassicalReviving ancient aesthetic principles
Grecian · 1800s · period costume · columnar · Georgian · classical antiquity · Josephine · period drama · ballroom · debutante
gown
Long formal garment
- dressSkirted one-piece garment
- bodiceFitted upper garment
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
A-line · babydoll · maxi · tunic · bridesmaid · maternity · sleeveless · flowy · draped · loose-fitting
elegant
Gracefully refined, tasteful
graceful · refined · timeless · vintage · flattering · soft · delicate · sophisticated · whimsical · dreamy