Lyla Dejesus
Wedding dress shopping can be a fun but stressful experience, especially when it comes to finding the right size. It's important to know how to properly measure yourself to ensure your dream dress fits like a glove. Wedding dress sizes can be inconsistent, varying by country, designer, and silhouette, so it's crucial to understand your measurements rather than relying solely on dress sizes. This guide will ensure you take the correct measurements for your big day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to wear | Underwear or clothing you plan to wear under the dress |
| Measuring tools | Soft, flexible measuring tape |
| Who should measure | Someone else, if possible |
| Posture | Stand straight, with your usual posture, arms down |
| Tape tension | Taut, not too tight or too loose |
| Bust | Measure around the back and under the arms to the fullest part of the bust |
| Waist | Stand up straight and bend to the side to find the crease or natural waist, then measure around the narrowest part |
| Hips | Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of the hips and butt |
| Hollow to hem | Measure from the center of the collarbone to the hem |
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What You'll Learn
Measuring your bust
To measure your bust for a wedding dress, it is recommended that you have someone else measure for you, as this will provide the most accurate results. You should measure the width around the fullest part of your chest to the widest part of your back. Stand straight, with your arms down and freely along your body. You should wear the same undergarments that you plan to wear on your wedding day, as this can affect the measurements. If you are wearing a bra, make sure it is similar to the one you will wear with your dress.
To take the measurement, carefully wrap the measuring tape around your bust and under your armpits at the fullest part of your chest. The tape should be snug but not too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body. Keep the tape level and parallel to the floor, and make sure it covers the widest part of your back.
It is important not to confuse your bust measurement with your bra size. Your bust measurement is typically larger than your bra size. If your bust, waist, and hip measurements correspond to different sizes, it is recommended that you size up to the largest measurement.
If you are unable to have someone else take the measurements, it is still possible to do it yourself. However, it is important to be careful and follow the above guidelines to ensure accuracy.
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Waist measurement
To measure your waist for a wedding dress, first stand up straight and bend to one side—the crease created will be your natural waist. It's important to note that the waist is not located around your belly button or across your hipbones, but is instead the smallest part of your torso.
To take the measurement, wrap the measuring tape around the narrowest part of your waist, ensuring that the tape is levelled in a straight line across the back and the front. 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 recommended that you wear the undergarments you plan to wear with your wedding dress when taking this measurement, as even your bra or nylon tights can add volume.
If you are ordering a custom dress, it is important to know how to take your 'hollow to hem' measurement. This is done by measuring from the centre of your collarbone (the 'hollow') to the bottom (the 'hem') of your dress. It is recommended that you wear shoes with the same heel height as you plan to wear on your wedding day when taking this measurement.
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Hip measurement
When measuring for a wedding dress, it is important to take accurate hip measurements to ensure a flattering fit. Here is a step-by-step guide to properly measure your hips for your dream wedding dress:
Prepare for the Measurement:
- Wear the appropriate undergarments: Put on the same undergarments that you plan to wear on your wedding day. This can include shapewear, nylon tights, or the specific underwear you have chosen for the big day. This helps to ensure accurate measurements and a comfortable fit.
- Stand with your feet together: Position yourself with your feet close together, maintaining a straight posture. This is the starting position for taking hip measurements.
Taking the Hip Measurement:
- Identify the widest part of your hips: Locate the fullest or widest part of your hips and bottom. This is typically the area where your hips curve outwards the most.
- Wrap the measuring tape: Take a soft dressmaker's measuring tape and wrap it around your hips and bottom at the identified widest point. Ensure the tape is level and maintains a straight line all around.
- Allow for comfortable ease: While keeping the tape snug, ensure there is a little ease. You should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body. This allowance is crucial for a comfortable fit and ease of movement on your wedding day.
- Note the measurement: Take note of the measurement at the widest point of your hips and bottom. This value will be essential when referring to the designer's size chart or creating a custom dress.
It is worth noting that wedding dress sizes can vary from standard clothing sizes, so it is crucial to refer to the designer's size chart or consult a professional for guidance. If your dress is A-line or a ball gown, the bust and waist measurements are typically more critical, and you may have more flexibility with hip measurements. However, for a fitted dress, all three measurements (bust, waist, and hips) are equally important for achieving the perfect fit.
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Getting professional help
While it is possible to measure yourself for a wedding dress, getting professional help can ensure you get the most accurate measurements. Professionals will be familiar with the intricacies of measuring for a wedding dress and can advise on the best course of action.
When measuring for a wedding dress, it is important to consider the style of the dress. If the dress is fitted, you will need to take measurements for the bust, waist, and hips. If the dress is A-line or a ball gown, the bust and waist measurements are the most important. For a custom dress, you will also need to know your hollow-to-hem measurement, which is the length from the center of your collarbone to the bottom of the dress. This measurement should be taken while wearing the shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day, as the height of your shoes can affect the measurement.
A professional will be able to accurately identify the correct places to measure and ensure the tape is straight and parallel to the floor. They will also be able to advise on any other measurements that may be required, such as under the bust for dresses with empire waists or corseted bodices, or shoulder-to-floor measurements. Professionals will also be familiar with the size charts of different designers and will be able to recommend the best size for your measurements.
When getting professionally measured, it is important to wear the same undergarments and shoes that you plan to wear on your wedding day. This will ensure that the measurements are accurate and the dress will fit perfectly on the day.
While it is possible to measure yourself at home, getting professional help can provide peace of mind and ensure that your wedding dress fits flawlessly.
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Understanding size charts
Wedding dress sizing is not standardised and differs from designer to designer. It is also not the same as your regular clothing size, with bridal sizes running about two to three sizes larger than regular clothing sizes. This is because bridal sizing is based on traditional European sizing from the 1940s, when clothing was more tailored and body proportions were different.
When shopping for a wedding dress, it is important to refer to the designer's unique bridal gown sizing chart. The most accurate way to determine your wedding dress size is by taking your measurements and then comparing them to the designer's wedding dress size chart. It is recommended that you take your measurements twice to ensure accuracy. If your measurements fall between sizes, it is generally best to size up. However, if you are ordering a ballgown and only your hip measurement matches the largest size, you may choose to order the smaller size.
When measuring, it is important to ensure that the measuring tape is parallel to the floor and not too tight or too loose. You should measure from the centre of the collarbone to the hem, the fullest part of the bust, the smallest part of the waist, and the fullest part of the hips. It is also important to consider how body size can fluctuate, especially during times of stress.
While it is helpful to understand size charts, it is important to remember that the size is just a number. The most important thing is to choose a dress that makes you feel beautiful and ensures that you feel confident on your wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to know that wedding dress size charts vary based on country, designer, and silhouette. You should not rely on your usual size when choosing your bridal dress. Different brands have different size charts, so it is vital to know your measurements. You should also only wear the underwear you plan to wear on your wedding day, as even your bra or nylon tights can add volume.
You will need to take measurements of your bust, waist, and hips. If your dress is A-line or a ball gown, the most important measurements are your bust and waist. If you are ordering a custom dress, you should also take your hollow-to-hem measurement.
To measure your bust, pass the measuring tape around your back and up to the front, at the level of the fullest part of your bust. Keep the tape levelled in a straight line and don't make it too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your body. To measure your waist, stand up straight and bend to the side to create a crease. Measure around the narrowest part of your natural waist. To measure your hips, stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and bottom.
It is best to have someone help you take your measurements so you can relax your body. Make sure you stand straight with your usual posture and keep your arms down. The measuring tape should be comfortable and not too tight or too loose.
