How to Choose the Perfect Bridal Slip or Hoop Skirt

You’ve probably come to our site because someone told you that you need a Bridal Petticoat, Bridal Slip or Crinoline to add fullness to your wedding dress.  It might sound confusing, but these are all terms for the same thing.  This guide will help you choose the petticoat that’s right for you.  Hoop Skirts are a little different, but they serve the same purpose, so let’s first describe the characteristics of each. 

Petticoat vs. Hoop Skirt

The choice is really a personal preference, as either one will provide the desired effect.  A petticoat has many layers of tulle fabric that ultimately gives your wedding dress its fullness.  A hoop skirt on the other hand, creates its shape by having plastic or metal hoops inserted in to a piece of fabric.  Less fabric makes the hoop skirt more lightweight, which can be more comfortable in warmer settings.  Whichever you choose, a hoop skirt or a petticoat, either one will be able to give you the shape and fullness you are looking for.  If you’re not sure which one is right for you, it might help to know that petticoats are slightly more popular.

Step 1 – Measure the Dress

The first step in choosing a petticoat or hoop skirt is to measure the hem circumference of your dress.  Take a measuring tape and measure from side-seam to side-seam (as shown in the diagram below, you’re measuring half the dress at the bottom).  Now, double this number.  So, if you measured 85 inches, your hem circumference is 85 x 2, or 170 inches.  An approximate number is all that’s really needed, so if you don’t have the dress with you, you can use your best estimate.

If your dress already includes a crinoline, but you feel it’s not full enough, consider adding an A-Line petticoat to provide extra volume.

Step 2 – Determine the Right Fullness

Now, that you know the hem circumference of your dress, take this number and compare it to our petticoat fullness guide below.  This number represents a range, but we recommend that you don’t select a slip fuller than your wedding dress unless the weight of your dress material is very heavy (as with some silks and satins).

Little Fullness Petticoats

Circumference Range: 94” to 125”

Description:     Provides a little shape and is appropriate for A-Line dresses or dresses that already include a built-in crinoline but need a little more fullness.  Also suitable for bridesmaid dresses.

Medium Fullness Petticoats

Circumference Range: 128” to 157”

Description:     Moderate fullness starting below the hips and down to the hemline.  Appropriate for A-Line dresses or dropped-waist styles

Very Full Petticoats

Circumference Range: 160” to 188”

Description:     Very full slips are designed to accentuate the bottom portion of the dress.  Still offers moderate flare at the waist, ‘poufing’ out at the bottom of the hip.  Appropriate for Princess or Ball-Gowns style wedding dresses.

Mega Full

Circumference Range: 191” to 220”

Description:     Adds the greatest amount of fullness and will draw the most attention.  Designed for wedding dresses that flare out starting at the waistline.  This petticoat is also appropriate for Quinceanera dresses.

Hoop Skirts

Description:     Hoops are used instead of fabric to create fullness.  The lightweight feature makes hoop skirts ideal for hot weather.  Hoops can be removed or adjusted to change the fullness level.  Hoop skirts are also popular for civil war or renaissance period costumes.

Children’s Petticoats & Hoop Skirts

Description:     Designed specifically to give flower girls the appropriate fullness for their age.  Fabric lining is used to avoid irritating sensitive legs.

If any of our standard petticoats are not what you are looking for, we are able to make petticoats with custom fullness or length to meet your needs.

Use of our petticoats and hoop skirts is not limited to wedding dresses. We often receive orders for use in the theater, operas, renaissance fairs, or simply as Halloween costumes.

Step 3 – Choose the Waist Size and Closure

The last step is to identify the waist closure that you like best.  For the most part, this is simply a personal preference, but there are a few things you should keep in mind.  The three most common waist closures are described below:

Drawstring Closure – This offers the most flexibility, as the regular drawstring closure will fit up to a 36” waist size.  The Plus Size drawstring closure will fit up to a 48” waist.  It' is best suited for wedding dresses that are not tight-fitted around the waist, so the drawstring will not be visible beneath the dress.  Available in Regular or Plus Size.

Elastic and Zipper Closure – This is the most form-fitting option and will create a smooth look if you have a tight-fitting wedding gown.  This type of waist closure sometimes begins above the waist.  Available in sizes 4 to 24 ½. 

Strap Closure – This is between as it offers the flexibility of the drawstring, but with a smoother look.  This waist closure type allows quick and easy size adjustments as each of our strap closure petticoats uses a VELCRO brand fastener.  Available in Small, Medium, Large or X-Large.

If you are interested in an "MM-Style" bridal petticoat, please use the following sizing chart.

 

Based on your waist measurement, use the following chart to choose the "SS-Style" petticoat size that’s most appropriate for you.

Length

Most of our crinoline petticoats and hoop skirts are a standard 39” to 40” inches, which is appropriate for floor-length wedding dresses.  Several shorter styles, including tea-length, can be found by browsing the website.

Once you’ve decided on the fullness, length and waist closure, within each fullness category, browse around and look for the bridal slip or hoop skirt style that best matches the shape you are looking for.  Whether it’s a mermaid style, empire-waist, or simply a standard shape, we have a petticoat to meet your needs.

Note on Hoop Skits

If your dress is made with a thin or light fabric, we suggest choosing a hoop skirt with ruffles so that the boning (or hoop) is not noticeable.  The ruffles will smooth the look by acting as an extra layer of fabric between the hoop skirt and your dress.  This is not necessary if your gown is made with heavy material.

Colors

All our bridal petticoats are available in white with some also available in additional colors such as Red, Black or Pink.