THE ART OF THE BODICE

Michelle Roth

Did you know the bodice is the focal point of your gown and reflects its overall style? Whichever kind you choose will determine whether or not your gown has sleeves, a collar, high or low neckline, lace overlays, etc. Proper fit from waist to neckline is essential and the place the most precise measurements need to be taken. Because a bodice is either darted or seamed, it typically has the most shaped and sculpted seams of any other piece on your gown. Also it's the center most piece that other components are attached and take form—the place your gown finally goes from flat to a three dimensional piece of fabric sculpture.

Anne Barge

Atelier Aimée,

Kirstie Kelly

L’ezu Atelier

Amsale

Eden Bridals

Demetrios

Lazaro

birnbaum and bullock

Justina McCaffrey

While a bodice may look pretty straight-forward from the outside, like the skirt, it may have a complex inner life of linings, facings, and shaping materials we never see but sense by the way the bodice holds it’s shape. The bodice on a typical wedding gown needs an underlining to give it that sculpted form in addition to becoming a strong foundation with which to attach lace, trim or embroidery. Also, an underlining can hide casements within the bodice for boning, a material used to hold that strapless bodice up. We’ll discuss the under structure of your bodice as well as skirt in more detail later. Until then realize most bodices whether draped or closely fitted to your body, frequently have some kind of foundation of reinforcement beneath. Here are a few bodice treatments to consider