A train is the portion of a gown which trails along the floor behind the dress. It is affixed to the rear of the dress, and has the effect of making the evening gowns appear more voluminous. Trains are most frequently seen on wedding dresses, but may also be featured on certain evening gowns.
Sweep Train
The most common evening gown train is the sweep train. This is the shortest type of train, barely extending past the bottom of the back of the dress and onto the floor. Dresses with this type of train will appear slightly longer in the back than in the front. The train may barely be detectable; it may seem as though the dress is slightly elevated in the front rather than appearing as if it has a short train.
Court Train
Modern court trains usually extend approximately 1 foot behind the gown, although they can extend as far as 3 feet. They are longer than sweep trains but shorter than chapel trains.
Chapel Train
This style of train is rarely seen on evening gowns but is the most popular type of wedding gown train, according to the Wedding Channel. It extends 3 to 4 feet beyond the hem of the gown, making it rather cumbersome and impractical for most evening gowns. However, if you are searching for the longest train possible for an evening gown, this is the one, as a train any longer will require assistance from others throughout the evening.
Godet Train
Godet trains are often added near the bottom of the skirt of the gown to increase the movement of the dress. This type of train typically begins near the hem at the end of the skirt, although sometimes it begins as far up as the knees. Its purpose is to add fullness to the skirt. Unlike most of the other types of trains, these do not extend far beyond the hem. Their purpose is primarily to increase the volume of the bottom of the skirt.
Fishtail Train
Fishtail trains are found on 2012 prom dresses that conform to the body around the hip area and then begin to spread outward around the knee or lower leg. They are reminiscent of a mermaid's lower half; only rather than having an actual fish tail at the end, they have extra fabric that extends past the rear of the dress and tapers toward the end of the train. The fabric is usually gathered.
Watteau Train
This type of train is distinctive in that it consists of a panel of fabric with is affixed to the outside of the top of the evening dress, near the wearer's shoulder blades. The train may extend no further than the bottom of the dress or it may extend several feet behind the gown. When affixed to evening gowns, this type of train rarely extends more than a few inches past the hem.
