Rhiannon Hendricks
When it comes to wedding dress shopping, knowing your measurements is crucial. Wedding dresses are often sized differently from regular clothing, so it's not uncommon to require a larger size than your usual. To measure your waist accurately, it's important to locate your natural waist, which is the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button. Stand straight, breathe normally, and wrap the measuring tape around your waist, ensuring it's snug but not too tight – you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your waist. This measurement plays a crucial role in shaping your silhouette on your big day, so it's worth taking multiple measurements and seeking assistance for accuracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Remove any clothing that might get in the way of the tape measure. Wear only the underwear you plan to wear on your wedding day. Wear shoes with the same heel height as the ones you plan to wear on your wedding day. |
| Posture | Stand straight with your heels together and arms down at your sides. Keep your usual posture and don't lower your head. |
| Tape placement | Place the measuring tape around your natural waist, which is the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button. Keep the tape parallel to the ground and snug but not constricting. |
| Tape tightness | The tape should be comfortable and not too tight. You should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your waist. |
| Breathing | Breathe normally and don't suck in your stomach or hold your breath. |
| Multiple measurements | Take multiple measurements at different times, such as after eating, to ensure accuracy and comfort. |
| Ordering | Compare your waist measurement to the designer's size chart. Order the size that corresponds to your largest measurement. It is common to require a larger size than your normal dress size. |
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What You'll Learn
Defining the waistline
To define the waistline correctly, you must first identify your natural waist. This is the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button and below the rib cage. You can locate it by feeling the indent between your rib cage and hips.
To measure your waist, it is best to wear only the underwear you plan to wear on your wedding day, as even a bra or nylon tights can add volume. Stand straight with your feet together, arms down at your sides. Tie a piece of elastic or string around your natural waist, ensuring it is comfortable and not too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your waist. This will be your reference point for taking other measurements.
Pass the measuring tape around your back and up to the front, following the line of the elastic or string. Keep the tape parallel to the ground and snug but not constricting. Remember to breathe normally and not to hold your stomach in, as this will give you inaccurate measurements.
It is always a good idea to take multiple waist measurements to ensure accuracy and comfort. For example, you may want to measure again after eating, as your waist size can fluctuate throughout the day.
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Taking waist measurements
Locate Your Natural Waist:
The natural waist is the narrowest part of your torso, usually found just above the belly button and below the rib cage. You can easily locate it by feeling the indent between your rib cage and hips. This is where you want to measure and ensure the dress flatters your body shape.
Prepare for Measurement:
It is best to wear only your underwear or the undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day. Even a bra or nylon tights can add volume and affect the accuracy of your measurements. Stand straight with your usual posture, keeping your arms down freely along your body. Ensure your head is not lowered, and maintain a relaxed stance.
Measure Correctly:
Use a flexible tailor's tape measure for best results. Wrap the tape measure around your natural waist, keeping it parallel to the ground. Ensure the tape is snug but not constricting—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your waist for a comfortable fit. Remember to breathe normally and avoid sucking in your stomach, as this will impact the accuracy.
Double-Check and Compare:
Always double-check your waist measurement for accuracy. Compare this measurement to the designer's size chart, as wedding apparel sizing can differ significantly from retail clothing. If your bust, waist, and hip measurements indicate different sizes, order according to your largest measurement. It is advisable to order a size up and have the dress altered for a custom fit.
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Comparing to the designer's size chart
When it comes to wedding dresses, sizing can differ from designer to designer, and bridal sizes are often larger than regular clothing sizes. So, it's important to compare your measurements to the designer's size chart.
First, take your bust, waist, and hip measurements. The waist is the narrowest part of your torso, located just above the belly button and below the rib cage. It's best to have someone help you take these measurements so you can relax your body and maintain your usual posture. The measuring tape should be comfortable and snug against your body, but not too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your waist.
Next, compare these measurements to the designer's size chart. It's crucial to order the size that corresponds to your largest measurement. For example, if your hip measurement is the largest, order a size that accommodates your hips, and the bust and waist can be altered to fit if needed. This is because it's generally easier to take in a dress than to try to expand it, due to the limited extra fabric in the seams.
Additionally, consider the length of the dress. Most dresses have a standard length, but some designers offer custom "hollow-to-hem" measurements, which is the length from the centre of your collarbone to the bottom of the dress. Compare your hollow-to-hem measurement to the designer's size chart to determine if you need extra length.
Remember, wedding dress sizes can vary significantly from regular clothing sizes, so don't be surprised if you need a larger size than usual. It's always better to order a larger size and have it altered for the best possible fit.
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Ordering the correct size
To find your natural waist, identify the narrowest section of your torso, usually just above the belly button. Remove any clothing that might get in the way of the tape measure, and stand tall with your usual posture, breathing naturally. Wrap the tape measure around your waist, ensuring it is snug but not too tight – you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your waist. Take multiple measurements to ensure accuracy, and consider measuring after eating to allow for a comfortable fit.
When selecting your dress size, order the size that fits your largest measurement. For example, if your bust, waist, and hip measurements indicate different sizes, designers generally suggest ordering according to the largest of these. It is generally easier to take a dress in than to let it out, so if you are between sizes, opt for the larger size. Keep in mind that you can always order a custom size or alter the dress to achieve a custom fit.
In addition to waist measurements, other key measurements to consider when ordering a wedding dress include the bust, hips, hollow-to-hem (the length from the centre of your collarbone to the bottom of the dress), and sleeve length. Wear the undergarments and shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day to ensure accurate measurements. By following these guidelines and referring to the designer's size chart, you can order the correct size for your wedding dress with confidence.
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Getting the dress altered
Wedding dress alterations can be tricky, and many brides are unaware of the steps they must take following their purchase. However, alterations are important, and most of the time essential, to your wedding dress process.
Firstly, it is important to buy your dress early, leaving plenty of time for fittings and tailoring. It is recommended that you buy your dress 10 months before the wedding, then schedule a fitting eight to 12 weeks before the wedding and a final fitting no later than two weeks before. If you are making major changes, such as reworking the corset or cups, or accommodating a pregnancy, you should budget a few extra weeks.
When you go for your fitting, be sure to bring the right wedding dress undergarments and shoes you'll be wearing on your big day. This will help the tailor assess how the dress will sit on your body and adjust the hemline to the correct length.
How many fittings you'll need will depend on the number of changes your wedding dress requires, though brides should expect to attend two to three fittings. The gown will start to take shape when the fitter starts pinning and tucking the fabric and sculpting it to your body. The first fitting will typically last one hour as your tailor begins to assess your dress and the alterations needed. Following the first hour-long appointment, each subsequent fitting should take less time since the dress is getting closer to the perfect fit.
Typical alterations include hemming the gown, taking in certain areas, shortening straps, inserting a bustle, etc. However, you can also make major alterations, such as changing a silhouette, adding beading or embroidery, or other large-scale changes.
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Frequently asked questions
Your natural waist is the narrowest section of your torso, usually just above the belly button. To find it, feel the indent between your rib cage and hips.
It is best to wear only the underwear you plan to wear on your wedding day. Even your bra or nylon tights can add volume and affect the measurements.
Stand straight with your feet together and arms down at your sides. Wrap a tailor's tape measure around your natural waist. Ensure the tape is snug but not too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your waist.
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