Pose & style reference · Outfits and accessories
Gown
Also called: ball gown, evening gown, formal dress, 礼服
In short
A gown is a long, formal dress worn for balls, evening events, weddings and ceremonies. Gowns are defined by their silhouette: a ball gown has a fitted bodice and a very full floor-length skirt, while an evening gown is usually sleeker and follows the body more closely. Many gowns also have a train that trails behind on the floor.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
What makes a dress a gown
Length and formality. A gown reaches the floor or close to it, uses richer fabrics such as satin, silk, velvet, lace or chiffon, and is cut to look elegant when standing still. Characters in gowns usually appear at important moments: a royal ball, a wedding, a final confrontation in formal wear.
Because so much fabric is involved, a gown changes how a character moves, so it is worth thinking about pose and silhouette together.
Gown silhouettes
- Ball gown: fitted bodice, very wide skirt supported by petticoats or hoops. The classic princess look.
- A-line gown: widens gently from the waist, less volume than a ball gown.
- Mermaid: fitted through the hips and knees, then flares sharply near the hem.
- Trumpet: like a mermaid but the flare starts higher, around mid-thigh.
- Column or sheath gown: straight and narrow from top to bottom.
- Empire gown: high waistline under the bust with a flowing skirt.
- Wedding gown: any of the above, often with a long train and veil.
How to draw a gown
Start with the pose, then build the skirt as a large shape from the waist to the floor: a dome for a ball gown, a narrow column for a sheath. The hem is a wide ellipse on the ground, and the feet are usually hidden, so place them mentally to keep the figure standing.
Long skirts form long, uninterrupted folds that start at the waist or hips. Satin makes broad, shiny folds with bright highlights; chiffon makes many fine, soft ones. A train spreads out behind as a flattened fan and follows the direction the character last walked. Draw the bodice details, such as neckline, sleeves and embroidery, after the big shape is settled.
Posing and photographing a gown
Stand tall with the weight on one leg and the shoulders relaxed; the skirt hides the legs, so the upper body has to carry the pose. Lifting the skirt slightly with one hand, looking back over the shoulder, or walking with the train spread behind are classic choices.
Arrange the train before each shot. A slightly low camera position makes a gown look grander, and a longer lens such as 85mm keeps proportions flattering in full-length shots.
FAQ
What is the difference between a ball gown and an evening gown?
A ball gown has a very full skirt over a fitted bodice. An evening gown is usually narrower and follows the body more closely, though both are long and formal.
What is a train on a gown?
A train is the extra length of skirt that trails along the floor behind the wearer.
How do I draw a gown when the feet are hidden?
Sketch the full figure with legs first, then draw the skirt over it so the hem sits around where the feet would be.