10 Different waistlines for your dresses

: Which suits you ?

The waistline of a dress refers to the line separating the
upper and lower portions of a garment. It cuts the
garment across and our eyes do linger a lot in this
element of a dress.

The attractiveness of a female body is related to its waist-

hip ratio, so says this study. Whatever opinion you may
have about the conclusions of the study and related
theories, there is no denying that designers design clothes
with the intention of making the body somewhat close to
these ratios and such.

Knowing the waistlines and where it should ideally rest on

the body for keeping up with these illusions may seem
important to you. If yes, read on.

You may also be interested in learning further about the

various aspects of female body shape, in relation to the
clothes we wear.Check out more about the 7 female
bodyshapes and guidelines to dress according to body
shape.

Different types of Waistlines

 1. Natural waistline
 2. Antebellum waistline
 3. Asymmetrical waistline
 4. Basque Waistline
 5. Blouson waistline
 6. Dropped waistline
 7. Cinched waistline
 8. Empire waistline
 9 Inverted V/U waistline
 10. Raised waistline

1. Natural waistline

This refers to a waistline which rests on your natural waist

– that is the narrowest part of your torso, between the rib
cage and hips. If you have a small waist, show off your
waist with this type of waistline.

2. Antebellum waistline
This is a V shaped waistline; This waistline begins at the
natural waistline and then dips about 2 or 2.5 inches
below the natural waistline at the center of the front
bodice. A very popular waistline for dresses as it can make
your body look slender and longer.

3. Asymmetrical waistline
A waistline without a balance; one side of the waistline
will be different from the other side. For eg: drop waist on
one side and raised on one side.

4. Basque Waistline
A variation of the antebellum waistline. This waistline
starts below the natural waistline (some 2 inches or so)
and then dips to a V or U shape in the center front of the
bodice.

5. Blouson waistline
This is a gathered waistline; the loose folds of the bodice
is gathered in a balloon skirt style; the waistline may be
gathered at the natural waistline or below it.

6. Dropped waistline
This is a waistline which sits below the natural waist – it
could be 3 inches to 12 inches down from the natural
waist.

A dropped waistline can bring eyes and attention down to

your hips, so if you have anything to avoid at the hips,
look for some other waistline. The advantage of this
waistline is that it can elongate the torso and can make
you look taller.

7. Cinched waistline
This is a waistline which is tapered,made very narrow at
the mid-section of the torso, with the help of a wide
sash/belt, specially meant for this.

8. Empire waistline
The waistline that starts just under the bust line. This can
emphasize your bust so those who do not want to draw
attention to this area, avoid. But those who have a small
bust can benefit with this waistline.

9 Inverted V/U waistline

This waistline starts at a higher point in the body at the
center front ( either at the natural waist, above it or below
it) and then dips down at either side of the bodice.

10. Raised waistline

This refers to a waistline which is slightly raised from the
natural waist; about 1 inch or so.

Then finally in contrast to all of these, there is the No-

Waistline look – it could be a paneled bodice with no
waistline or a simple slip bodice. A princess line dress/tent
dress etc have this look of having no waistline to speak of.
Check out the related post on the different types of
dresses