Bridal and bridesmaid dress sizes often fit smaller than regular clothing sizes. Avoid guessing your dress size and be sure to carefully follow the measuring instructions included when purchasing your dress at Bridal Tales.

 

The little extra time and effort it takes to measure yourself correctly, or to have a friend take your measurements for you, is more than worth the effort before ordering your dress. The number one reason dresses need to be returned by customers is usually because measurements were taken incorrectly, or no measurements were taken at all!

Our tips for measuring for your dress size

• Ask a friend, family member to help you with taking your measurements. Remember, the more accurate your measurements are, the better your dress will fit.

• Plan on alterations for a perfect fit. Almost any formal dress will need this whether you purchase it online, or through your local bridal shop.

• Keep the measuring tape snug but not tight around your body and DON'T suck in your tummy!

• Remember that your dress size is JUST a number. Our dress sizes fit smaller than regular clothing sizes, and you may need to order a larger size than you normally wear in regular clothing. The most important thing isn't the number on the tag inside your dress, it's how fabulous you'll look in a dress that fits!

• It's easier to alter a dress to fit smaller than to make it fit larger. Many dress styles aren't designed to be let out, however you also need to be careful with planning to take a dress in more than one size where the design of the dress will be changed slightly as a result of the alteration.

Bridal Tales will require the following measurements when ordering a dress with us.

• Chest

• Waist

• Hip

• Under Bust

• Nipple to Nipple

• Nipple to Nipple

• Height (with shoes)

• Length (shoulder to bust)

• Length (shoulder to waist)

• Length (waist to floor without shoes)

• Length (waist to floor with shoes)

• Length (shoulder to floor without shoes)

• Length (shoulder to floor with shoes)

 

CHEST: measure around the fullest part of your bust, preferably wearing a bra style that you will wear with the dress. The measuring tape should be comfortable, and not too tight when taking your bust measurement. Your bust measurement is NOT the same as your bra size.

WAIST: measure around your waist about 1 to 2 inches above your belly button. Do not take your waist measurement over clothing. The measuring tape should be comfortable, and not too tight when taking your waist measurement.

Measuring Tip! Make sure you are not wearing low rise jeans or trousers when taking your waist measurement. Even if your waist is exposed, wearing this style while measuring can add 1 or more inches to your actual waist measurement.

HIP: measure around the fullest part of your hips, about 6 to 7 inches below your belly button. The measuring tape should be comfortable, and not too tight when taking your hip measurement. Do not take your hip measurement over clothing.

Our fitting & dress ordering tips:

1. Corset and lace-up back style dresses provide an adjustable fit and are a good choice if you're between sizes.

2. Bust and waist measurements are more important than hip measurements for full, A-line or ball gown style dresses.

3. It's easier to alter a dress to fit smaller than to make it fit larger. Almost any formal dress may need alterations to get a perfect fit.

4. You should expect some wrinkling associated with packing and shipping of any clothing. Don't compare the dress you take out of a small box or bag with photos of a professionally steamed dress. For a flawless, wringle-free looking dress, have your dress professionally steamed or pressed after any alterations are done, and before your wedding or event.

How do I know which size to order?

Select the size that best matches your largest measurement (bust, waist or hip). For ball gown or full A-line styles, your bust and waist measurements are more important than your hip measurement. If you're between sizes, it's usually best to order the larger size so you have room to move in the dress, and then plan to have your local tailor make alterations to the areas that need adjustment to give you a perfect fit.

If you're between sizes, you may also want to choose a dress with a corset or lace-up style back, or a full skirt, instead of a tightly fitted skirt.