What Are the Different Types of Gowns?

Women are beautiful and they come in all shapes and sizes, and so do dresses. Here at Queenly, we want you to look and feel your best all the time, but especially on nights like prom. So, let’s go over the different types of gowns so you can make the right choice for your best prom self!

Gown is a very broad term for any number of floor-length dresses. They are going to be the most formal dresses for prom, but still offer a lot of variety so you can really find the right dress to fit your individuality and theme of the night.

Don’t be scared off by the notion that they are the most formal; gowns still offer a fresh and flirty vibe and depending on color and patterns, you can really have some fun. Since there are a few variations to gowns, we will break them down by style so you can truly find the right look for you.

A mermaid gown is a style of dress that is tight through the knee and around the mid-calf flares out to the ground, giving off the subtle shape of a, you guessed it, mermaid’s tail at the bottom. Again, gowns tend to be the most formal of designs, and this one is formal with a sultry side.

This is similar and the same category as a mermaid-style dress, but the difference here is that a trumpet gown will flare out closer to the knee or lower hip, so it’ll look like a mermaid gown that was raised a few inches in the flare. Trumpet gowns are aesthetically pleasing to look at, so if you choose this style the overall look will be really pretty and formal but have more flow. It won’t be a hip hugger dress in comparison to a mermaid style, so expect a more subtle feminine silhouette, and a little more movement from the dress.

We combined these two styles because they are similar in shape and fit, as well as style. All empire waist gowns are a sheath fit, but not all sheath fits are empire waist. Does that make sense? We hope so. An empire waist dress is a tight fit to just under the bustline, then the fabric will fall loosely to the floor.

High-low dresses are a step down in formality than a ball gown, but still very appropriate for traditional black-tie affairs. These tend to be more fitted through the waist and then looser fit through the leg. If you choose this style in satin fabric, expect that you will have more shape throughout the skirt, which, for prom, can give you a firmer formal vibe.

They’re fun and fresh and give you a lot of options for showing off your personal style. Think shoes, accessories, and the color of the dress to match your unique taste. If you’re going for the punk rock prom queen vibe, or maybe you want to wear sneakers with your dress (yes, we ship this), then this is the style for you!

This style speaks a little more for itself, but mini dresses also come in two different styles of fit, tight and body-hugging or snug around the chest and then loose through the hips and thighs (baby doll). This style of dress is generally the least “formal” option but can be dressed up if you are really looking to dance without restrictions in moves.

We hope these definitions of dresses have helped you today to find the style and look that’s right for you and your special evening. There’s no wrong way to wear a prom dress, but there is definitely a right dress out there for you. And we are confident that sticking to your true self will help you find the frock that fits your big night!