Measuring yourself for a dress is an intimidating thing so we thought we’d put together a blog post for you, giving you some tips and ideas on how to do it right.
Perfectbridesmaidsdresses.com put together a great article on just this so we thought we’d share that with you too:
How to Measure for Wedding Gown and Bridesmaid Dress
In bridal industry, the designer gown and bridesmaid dress sizes are often different from those found in regular dress. One should not assume the dress size and should order the dress according to the designer size chart. We strongly recommend having your measurements taken by a professional seamstress whom you would hire to alter your gown. For your reference, we have prepared a simple guideline below. Measurements should be taken in the undergarment you plan to wear with your gown.
Please keep in mind that the guideline is for reference only. Perfect Bridal cannot be responsible for the accuracy of any measurements taken by person other than employees of Perfect Bridal. You will need to choose the size you feel most comfortable with, given your measurements and fit preference.
Bust Measurement
Measure the bust line at the fullest part of your chest while wearing a bra that is similar to the one that you will wear on the event day. Stand naturally with your heels together. Let your arms rest by the side of your body. Position the tape so it covers the widest part of the back and the fullest part of your chest.
Waist Measurement
Place the tape at your natural waistline, usually about an inch above your belly button. This should be the smallest part of your waist. Do not pull the tape tight or suck-in your stomach unnaturally .
Hip Measurement
Stand naturally with your heels together in a relaxed posture. Position the tape around the fullest part of your hips.
Dress Length
If you are 5’9” or taller with the heels you plan to wear with the gown, most of our designers recommend that you order the dress with the extra length option. An extra length dress is typically 5” longer than the standard length dress. Most designers charge a little more for extra length and the charges vary.
Hollow-to-Hem Measurement
Hollow-to-hem is a specific length measurement usually only used for bridal gowns. The measurement is taken from the depression at the base of the neck just above the collarbone to where you want the dress to be hemmed. When taking this measurement, please make sure you wear shoes that are similar height to the pair you will wear at the event, and also you may need to account for the fullness of an A-line or full-skirt gown by moving the tape forward away from the body at the hem.
Matching Measurements to Size
Once you have taken your measurements, see the corresponding designer’s size chart under designer size chart to determine the size you should order. These charts map the measurements to the designer sizes so you can determine the closest size to order. The bridal gown or bridesmaid dress is not custom made to the exact measurements. Often you will need to plan (budget and time) for a seamstress to tailor your dress for a perfect fit after you receive it. If your measurements indicate one size for the “bust” and a different size for the “waist” and/or “hips”, or if you fall between two sizes, we suggest ordering according to the largest measurement. It is easier to take-in the size than to add fabric to a dress.
