A bridal petticoat, crinoline, or bridal slip are terms that are used interchangeably to describe the garment that is used to create fullness and shaping beneath the wedding gown skirt. To avoid having excess folds and a droopy looking wedding gown, brides need to wear the correct shaping garment beneath their wedding dress.

Many bridal gown manufacturers feel that a separate petticoat, crinoline, or bridal slip is preferred to having a built-in style, because it gives the dress better shaping and allows the bride to customize the fullness of the skirt to her preference.

Bridal slips are available in at least three fullness levels. The most common styles are the narrow A-line slip, which is designed to shape a smaller diameter skirt, the medium full slip, which is designed to work with a medium full skirt and the very full bridal slip, which is used to achieve maximum fullness for ball gown and A-line gowns. Bridal slips are usually designed with either an elastic or adjustible drawstring waist to fit regular and plus sizes.

Bridal hoop skirts are another variation of the bridal slip. The hoop skirt provides the appearance of a smooth crinoline combined with a strong yet lightweight metal hoop frame. The lightweight framework is encased in a layer of fabric. The hoop skirt does not have layers of fabric to provide the shaping, unlike regular bridal slips, which makes it an ideal choice for a warm climate wedding, or to wear underneath a very heavy ball gown style wedding dress. Hoop skirts can also be used to provide shaping for elaborate vintage style gowns.

When a bride purchases her formal wedding dress from a bridal store, she will need to determine which fullness level of the bridal slip will work best for shaping her wedding gown.

It's important to choose a great fitting bra, bustier or corset to give you the best support and a smooth finish under your dress. You'll need to be aware of several things when choosing your bra, bustier, or corset. These include your bust size, the neckline and back style of your dress, as well as the amount of boning in the bodice, and whether the gown is strapless or if it has sleeves.

We will be adding White Clover bridal slips to our online store shortly. These bridal slips are the finest crinolines in the industry, with soft taffeta inner and outer layers, multiple layers of gathered tulle to provide even fullness, and a high-quality elastic/Velcro waist closure for a snug fit. Check back soon for availability of all new bridal slips, hoopskirts and bustiers!