empire waist
Just-below-bust seam
An empire waist is a high waistline on a dress or top, positioned just below the bust rather than at the natural waist.
The style creates a long, flowing silhouette from the chest down: She wore an empire waist gown to the gala.
Named for its popularity during the Napoleonic era, the cut remains common in maternity wear and formal dresses.
- bodiceFitted upper garment
- waistlineBody's horizontal midpoint
- ball gownFormal full-length dress
- gownLong formal garment
- bridesmaid dressGown for wedding attendants
silhouette · neoclassicism · Greek goddess · muslin · Regency style · maternity wear · maternity dress · baby bump · Josephine · chemise · fashion · court dress · dressmaking · vertical lines · Napoleon · chiffon · Jane Austen · Pride and Prejudice
- bridal attirewedding dress, bridal gown, wedding gown, bridal veil, wedding veil
- feminine fashion elementslace, ruffles, bows, ribbons, pastels
- garment partscollar, cuff, bodice, sleeve, lapel
- loose clothingbaggy, loose fit, oversized, relaxed fit, roomy
- vintage fashioncorset, vintage style, vintage clothing, bustle, classic style
- Sewing Patternsdress pattern, coat pattern, vintage patterns, bodice, dart
empire waistdropped waist
Seam sitting at hips
natural waist · drop waist · low-rise · hipline · fitted waist
empire waistfitted waist
hourglass silhouette · wasp waist · belted waist · bodycon · corseted
empire, emperor, waist, imperial, empires, waistcoat, imperialism, imperialist, waists