Choosing the Right Bridal Petticoat

A bridal slip, or petticoat, is an underskirt that is a little shorter than the external clothing and is often designed with a pleated, ruffled or laced edge. For today’s bride it is often considered an essential piece of the wedding outfit. By providing additional shaping and support to the wedding gown, it enhances the bride’s natural figure.

Of course, one petticoat will not work for every wedding dress. In order to achieve the best possible look for your gown, you must take care when choosing the correct bridal slip. Here are some tips to make sure that you make the right petticoat decision:

• As many bridal gowns on the market today have a built-in petticoat, the first thing to do is check if your wedding dress already has one – if so, you should decide if the built in petticoat provides the fullness you desire. If you would like to make your gown look more full, you may add a second petticoat to achieve the desired fullness.
  
  
• The kind of petticoat you choose will depend on the style of your wedding dress, so you must first be sure which wedding gown you will be wearing. When you shop for the petticoat, make sure that you bring along a picture of your gown for reference. Petticoats are traditionally classified according to fullness:
  • The narrow A-line crinoline is used for dresses with a smaller skirt diameter. It is a petticoat with just one or two layers. When wearing a smaller circumference wedding dress, using a petticoat also has the added benefit of hiding any other undergarment that may be used.
  • The medium full crinoline is used to attain a silhouette for a wedding dress that is thinner at the waist, but flares out below the hips towards the bottom of the wedding dress. A medium full petticoat also helps add a slimming effect.
  • The very full crinoline with a lot of layers is suitable for very full skirts or bouffant styles, like a large ball gown. It has a very wide circumference at the base. This bridal slip is used to emphasize any embellishments on the lower portion of the wedding dress.
  • Some stores offer a mega-full petticoat. This is often used when a bride is looking for as much pouffiness as possible. It is also very popular for Quinceanera dresses.
  • Brides also have the option of using a hoop skirt. Hoop skirts offer the same benefits of full bridal slips, but they create their fullness by using plastic or metal hoops instead of fabric. Hoop skirts are often used when a bride does not wish to have fabric brushing up against her legs.

As wedding gowns can be heavy, a petticoat can provide the extra lift necessary to make sure the weight of the dress does not create a flat look. Ultimately, a large part of choosing a petticoat depends on your preference for your gown’s level of fullness. Your petticoat will be setting your wedding gown. Choosing the proper undergarment will ultimately improve your figure and the fit of your gown.