If you’re like me, when you purchased your wedding gown you had no idea what kind of bridal slip (or petticoat as it also called) you should use or if you needed one. So we asked the experts at MyGowns.com to explain the in’s and out’s of of buying the perfect petticoat for your wedding dress.

Petticoat vs. Hoop Skirt

The main purpose of bridal slips are to give your gown more fullness so which one do you choose? The choice is really a personal preference. 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. Perfect for you Southern brides!

The first step in buying a petticoat or hoop skirt online is to measure the hem circumference of your dress. Take a measuring tape and measure from side-seam to side-seam. 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.

Determine the Right Fullness

The next step is to figure out the fullness. Now, that you know the hem circumference of your dress, take this number and compare it to the MyGowns petticoat fullness guide. This number represents a range and they 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).

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 too, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. For example, the drawstring closure offers the most flexibility and the elastic and zipper closure is the most form-fitting option. The strap closure is a great in-between option because it offers the flexibility of the drawstring, but with a smoother look.

A few more things to consider are length and color. Most of 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 MyGowns website. And if you want to add a little color to your dress? Many of their petticoats are available in red, black or pink.

There you have it, you should now be well on your way to bridal slip bliss!

Jan 13, 2012 / By admin / affordable bridal petticoats, bridal crinolines, bridal petticoats, bridal slips, how to choose a petticoat, MyGowns.com, petticoat website