Franklin Dean
It is important to know your measurements when choosing a wedding dress. Wedding dresses are often sized differently from regular clothing, and different brands have different size charts, so knowing your measurements will help you choose the right size. If you are ordering a custom dress, it is especially important to have accurate measurements. To measure yourself, you will need a fabric tape measure. You should measure your chest, waist, and hips, as well as your upper arm if needed. It is recommended to wear the undergarments you plan to wear with your wedding dress while taking measurements. You can measure yourself, or you can have someone help you to ensure accurate measurements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to wear | Only your underwear, or the undergarments you plan to wear under your dress |
| Who should take the measurements | Yourself, or someone else |
| Tools | Fabric tape measure |
| Bust | Measure around the fullest part of the chest, wrapping the tape under your arms and around your back |
| Waist | Measure around the narrowest part of the waist, bending to one side to find the crease |
| Hips | Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of the hips and bottom |
| Upper arm | Measure around your bicep or the fullest part of your upper arm |
| Hollow to hem | Measure from the hollow of your neck to the hem of the dress |
| Ordering | Order based on your bust measurement and the size chart for the designer |
| Custom sizing | Custom sizing is not recommended, as your body will change between when you are measured and when you wear the dress |
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What You'll Learn
Measuring your bust
When measuring your bust for a wedding dress, it's important to wear the right clothing. Wear the bra you intend to wear on your wedding day, but make sure it is unpadded. If you're not planning on wearing a bra, take the measurements without one. You should also wear the same underwear or tights you plan on wearing, as these can add volume.
Ask a friend to help with measuring, so you can keep your arms fully relaxed at your sides. Stand straight with your usual posture, and breathe normally throughout the process.
Now, wrap the measuring tape around your bust, under your armpits, at the fullest part of your chest. The tape should be levelled in a straight line and comfortable—not too tight. You should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body.
Next, measure above your bust, with the tape in your armpits, and then below your bust, right under your bra line, around the rib cage.
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Measuring your waist
To measure your waist for a wedding dress, it is important to first define your waistline correctly. Your waist is not across your hipbones or around your belly button, it is the smallest part of your torso. To define the waistline correctly, you can tie an elastic band or a piece of string around your waist at the narrowest point. This will be your reference point for taking other measurements.
When measuring your waist, the measuring tape should be passed along the line you have created with the elastic band or string. It should be held in a straight line across the back and the front of your waist. The tape should be snug but not too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your waist. It is important to breathe normally and not to hold your breath or pull in your stomach.
If you are taking measurements for a custom dress, you may also need to take the waist-to-floor measurement. This is measured with the shoes you will be wearing on your wedding day. The measurement is taken from the waistline to the floor.
It is recommended that you take your measurements in the same underwear you will be wearing on your wedding day, as this can affect the fit of the dress. It is also helpful to have someone assist you with taking the measurements so that your body can be fully relaxed.
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Measuring your hips
When measuring your hips for a wedding dress, it's important to get an accurate reading to ensure the best fit. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you measure your hips accurately:
- Prepare your measuring tools: Use a flexible tape measure that is at least 36" long. Ensure it is comfortable to work with and not too tight. You may ask someone to help you with the measurements so you can relax your body.
- Put on the appropriate clothing: Wear only the underwear you plan to wear on your wedding day. This is important as even your bra or nylon tights can add volume, affecting the accuracy of your measurements.
- Stand in the correct posture: Stand straight with your feet together and your usual posture. Keep your arms down freely along your body.
- Identify the correct measuring point: The hip measurement is taken at the widest part of your hip, which is typically across the hipbone. This point is approximately 7-9 inches below your natural waistline.
- Take the measurement: Pass the measuring tape around your back and up to the front at the level of the identified hip point. Ensure the tape is parallel to the floor and not too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body.
- Double-check: To ensure accuracy, it is a good practice to measure twice. If the measurements differ, try taking them again until you get consistent results.
It is worth noting that different brands have different size charts, so it is recommended to order based on your largest measurement (bust, waist, or hips). Wedding dresses can usually be taken in, but not always let out, so ordering according to your largest measurement ensures a more flattering fit.
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Measuring your hollow-to-hem
The "hollow-to-hem" measurement is a crucial factor in determining the length of a full-length wedding dress, accommodating variations in heel height and individual preferences. It refers to the distance from the hollow point between your collarbones to the floor or the desired hem length. Here are some detailed steps and tips for measuring your hollow-to-hem:
Preparation:
- It is recommended to have a friend or family member assist you with taking the measurement to ensure accuracy and avoid any shortening of the measurement due to looking down.
- Stand straight with your usual posture, keeping your arms down and relaxed along your body.
- Wear the same underwear and shoes or heels that you plan to wear on your wedding day. If you are unsure about the shoes, consider adding a few extra inches to accommodate a higher heel.
Taking the Measurement:
- Hold the tape measure at the hollow of your neck, which is the indentation at the base of your neck between your collarbones.
- Let the tape measure drop straight down to the floor or to your desired hem length.
- Look ahead and do not look down. If needed, take a photo of the measurement in a mirror and zoom in to see the number.
Additional Considerations:
- It is generally advisable to measure a little longer to ensure the dress is not too short, as it is easier to hem a dress and make it shorter than to add more material.
- If you are ordering a custom-made or made-to-measure gown, your hollow-to-hem measurement will be critical in determining the right fit.
- Keep in mind that wedding dresses are often made extremely long to accommodate taller brides, and alterations are expected for most individuals.
By following these steps and considerations, you can ensure a more precise hollow-to-hem measurement for your wedding dress, contributing to a seamless and well-fitted look on your special day.
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What to wear when measuring
When measuring yourself for a wedding dress, it is important to wear the same undergarments that you plan to wear on your wedding day. This includes your bra and nylon tights, as even these can add volume to your body. If you do not plan to wear anything under your dress, then you should take your measurements in your underwear.
It is also important to remember that wedding apparel is typically sized differently from retail clothing, so you may find that you require a larger size than your normal dress size. Therefore, when taking your measurements, it is vital to consider your largest measurements to ensure that your dress has the most flattering fit possible.
For example, when measuring your bust, you should wrap the measuring tape around your back and under your arms at the fullest part of your chest. Similarly, when measuring your hips, you should stand with your feet together and wrap the tape around the widest part of your hips and bottom.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you have accurate measurements and choose a wedding dress that fits you well and flatters your figure.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a flexible cloth or plastic measuring tape, a mirror, a notebook and pen, and optionally, an assistant to help with measurements.
Wear only the underwear you plan to wear on your wedding day. Stand straight with your arms down and breathe normally. The measuring tape should be parallel to the floor and fit comfortably to your body, not too tight or too loose.
For the bust, pass the measuring tape around your back and under your arms to the front, at the level of the fullest part of your bust. For the waist, bend to one side to find the crease or natural waist and measure around the narrowest part. For the hips, stand with your feet together and measure around the widest part of the hips and fullest part of your bottom.
