just for marlinspike or anyone who doesn't know what princess line (in clothing) means

WARNING: more shallowness here folks, so look away if you're expecting earth shattering news (I am so incensed by the new Industrial relations laws but that is another story).

I found this explanation on a website to explain the difference between empire line dresses (think Edwardian dresses worn in the Jane Austen movies like pride and prejudice) and the Princess Line dresses. The bits in caps are my take on it.

harder than i thought to find illustrations of it.

Empire The hallmark of the empire-style gown is a high waistline (right under the bust), which falls to a slimmer skirt.
HORIZONTAL SEAM UNDER BUST

A-Line or Princess An A-line or Princess shape features vertical seams flowing from the shoulders down to a flared skirt (creating and inverted V -- or A -- shape.
VERTICAL LINES GOING RIGHT DOWN THE DRESS FROM THE SHOULDERS TO THE HEM
here is a pic on what the princess line effect is, i don't particularly like any of these, except maybe the navy one for winter, but at least it shows you princess seams, i would have preferred a line drawing but couldn't find any to show you.
http://store.sewingtoday.com/cat/40000/itm_img/M9456.jpg

I can't believe my poxy lj entry got six comments. Feels nice. (blush)