Empire waist is a term almost as common as the natural waist!

The difference between the two is not only where the narrowest part of the gown falls, but also in that the empire silhouette can mean a style of gown.

Fashion plate of women in Empire gowns

Characterized by a high waist, an empire gown traditionally has a square neckline and a flowing gathered skirt that falls to the floor. Heavily influenced by the flowing garments pictured on women in ancient Greek art, the gowns were made with finer fabrics such as white lawn, muslin, or batiste.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Toni Collette in “Emma“

Picture any of the heroines from Jane Austen’s novels played on the silver screen, like Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma. In every scene, she wore a delicate, flowy, empire gown cinched below the bust, highlighting her decollate. However, the term “empire” when used in bridal or fashion is actually referencing a period in history when the style was popularized, that being the First French Empire, when Napoleon became the French Emperor with Josephine (wearing an empire waist gown) at his side.

Josephine Bonaparte in an Empire gown

The style made its way into England (though the two countries were at war) and reached its height during the early 1800s during the Regency Era characterized in Jane Austen’s novels.

Today, shopping for an empire-waisted wedding gown can mean an homage to the Regency or Empire style complete with flowing skirt, square neckline, and references to ancient Greek style, or where the seam of a wedding gown actually hits, without the traditional empire styling.

1816 wedding dress

Across the centuries, and even as recently as the ‘60s, women have reinterpreted the silhouette for its flattering, comfortable fit. In the world of bridal and evening gowns, an empire seam without the flowy skirts still works its magic by elongating and emphasizing the bust, and is a great choice for women of a variety of shapes and sizes.

Check back tomorrow to learn more about Regency and Empire inspired gowns and see some of Lea-Ann’s empire wedding dresses. To learn if the empire silhouette is for you, visit here!

Image sources: image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4