What Wedding Dress Size am I? Avery Austin's Wedding Dress Sizing Guide
Starting the journey to find your dream wedding dress can be daunting. There are so many different styles and price points you can shop from. But, a key first step in the shopping process is answering this question: what wedding dress size am I?
The last thing you want to do is play the guessing game and end up with a costly tailor bill - or worse, having to resell the dress on your own and get the right size. Keep in mind - when you buy a special order here at Avery Austin, it's a final sale. Fortunately for you, we're going to clear the air and eliminate any stress and uncertainty you feel today in our wedding dress sizing guide. By the end of this article, you'll feel confident choosing your wedding dress size. Let's start by explaining why proper wedding dress sizing is so important.
Why Getting Proper Wedding Dress Sizing the First Time Around is so Important
We know what you're thinking - why is getting the perfect wedding dress sizing the first time around so important? Can't I just get alterations done?
Yes - you can. And the reality is that even if you pay close attention to our wedding dress sizing guide, you may still need to make slight alterations at a tailor or seamstress near you. That's because bridal sizing rarely works out perfectly. Your weight may fluctuate a few pounds before the big day, or the wedding dress style you choose may run a little small or large.
But, what you don't want to do is order a dress that's multiple sizes too small in hopes of losing weight - or worse, order a dress that's too big because you think it can be easily altered. Trust us, it's not as easy (or cheap) as you think.
When you order a dress that's too small, you run the risk of either not being able to zip up the dress at all on your wedding day - or having to force yourself into the dress and dealing with uncomfortable bulges. If the dress is too big, a good tailor can take it in for you - but they can't add fabric to make it larger. So, if you order a size 12 wedding dress when you're really a size 16, don't expect your local seamstress to be able to magically add fabric and make the dress larger. It doesn't work like that! So - pay close attention as we guide you through bridal sizing and attempt to help answer your question: what wedding dress size am I?
What Wedding Dress Size am I? Bridal Sizing Tips for Getting Perfect Measurements
Ready to discover what your wedding dress size is? Bridal sizing isn't nearly as complicated or time-consuming as you may think. You just need a tape measure and someone you trust. First, let's talk about the different wedding dress measurements you'll be getting today:
Start by Taking Your Wedding Dress Measurements:
For proper wedding dress sizing, you just need a few key measurements. Don't get overwhelmed by what others may tell you about bridal sizing. There are actually only four important wedding dress measurements required to get the perfect size at Avery Austin:
- Full Body (Hollow to Hem): Whatever you call this measurement, take it by standing straight up feet apart. Then, have your partner place one end of the measuring tape between your collarbones - this is known as your hollow. Your partner will then take the other end of the tape down the floor. Where it meets is your hem. It's important that you wear shoes similar to the height of those you'll be wearing on the big day.
- Bust: This measurement is taken at the fullest part of the bust wearing only a bra or a very thin fabric over a bra. To get the most accurate measurement, lift your arms and extend them out from your shoulders. Your helper will then need to drape the tape measure around the widest part of your bust. Take note of the measurements where the tape measure overlaps.
- Waist: The waist measurement is taken a little differently. This is one many brides get wrong because they (or their helper) incorrectly identify the "natural waist". To identify where your natural waistline is, bend slightly to one side and place the measuring tape where your waist creases. Do not place the tape where you normally wear the waist of your clothing because many clothes are cut with a slightly raised or dropped waist, which is different than your true waist size. Measure around your waist at this "natural waist" point only. Make sure the measurement is not too tight or too loose.
- Hip: Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart comfortably. Then, measure around the fullest/widest part of your hip. This measurement is usually taken 7 to 9 inches below the point you measured your true waist
Additional Tips for Taking Your Wedding Dress Measurements
The video above shows you exactly how to take these wedding dress measurements accurately - but, we also want to provide you with a few bridal sizing tips to ensure the perfect wedding dress size. You should wear undergarments similar to those you intend to wear with your dress - or this will be a slight variance in how your gown actually fits. This same advice applies when you try on wedding dresses. And, while you can certainly get by with the help of someone you trust, we do recommend getting your wedding dress measurements taken by a professional.
Another important tip is to only follow our unique wedding dress sizing guide if you're going to buy a bridal gown here at Avery Austin. Why? Because not all wedding dress size charts are created equal. Moreover, our wedding dress size guide and ready-to-wear dress size guides are not the same. There is typically a 1-2 size difference between ready-to-wear and our made-to-order gowns.
Finally, if you are finding that you cannot find a wedding gown that perfectly matches your four measurements, what should you do? Our advice is to order according to the largest measurement. The reason is that you can pretty easily take your garment in at your local seamstress after we've delivered it. However, you cannot always take a garment out or "add size" to it. This is based on seam allowances, which are very slim in most cases.
Speaking of alterations - and this is an important tidbit - you need to account for up to 2-3 months to work with your seamstress. It's important you factor this into when you should buy your wedding dress.
Once You Have Your Wedding Dress Measurements - Compare Them to a Wedding Dress Size Chart!
The final step in our wedding dress sizing guide is finding your actual bridal gown size - based on the wedding dress size chart of your specific gown/designer. The designer’s size charts show the approximate measurements they use to make each size. Compare your measurements to the size chart to determine the correct size. Easy as that!
Want Personalized Help Navigating the Wedding Dress Sizing & Shopping Process?
There you have it - how to size a wedding gown to perfection. That wasn't so bad, was it? It just takes a few steps to get accurate measurements, and from there, you can start shopping for gowns and picking your size with confidence. However, if you really want to enjoy peace of mind throughout this stressful process and ensure you end up with your dream dress, look no further than Avery Austin.
We're on a mission to transform the bridal gown industry for the better. To do this, we've created a direct-to-consumer model that cuts out the middleman. This saves you a ton of money compared to how much the average wedding dress costs - while still allowing you to enjoy the remarkable, salon-quality gown you deserve. We have a diverse selection of bridal gowns under $1000 - and we even have a full range of wedding dresses under $500! In our collection of plus size wedding dresses, you’ll find inclusive sizing without the extra cost you’re used to paying at other boutiques.
And, we can get you your gown lightning fast. Order today and you'll have your gown in as little as 12 weeks! If you didn't already know how long it takes to order a wedding dress elsewhere, you can expect to wait as long as 6-12 months. Wouldn't it be nice to cross this task off your box way sooner so you can relax and enjoy being engaged? Or, if you need your gown even sooner, explore our full collection of in stock wedding dresses ready to ship.
All of this sounds great - and it is! But, perhaps the biggest advantage of shopping for wedding gowns at Avery Austin is the help you get every step of the way. By connecting with one our bridal experts, you can enjoy peace of mind as we guide you through the process from start to finish. We'll talk over the details of your wedding and get to know you, your style preferences, and your budget. From there, we'll get your measurements and build you a try-at-home box so you can sample up to 3 gowns at once. Invite the girls over, pop some bubbly, and find "the one" together! That's right. We let you try on wedding dresses at home with no obligation of buying!
We're here with you every step of the way helping you navigate the uncertain process that is bridal sizing. We're making wedding dress shopping fun again. Reach out today and let's get started!
What Wedding Dress Size Am I? Wrapping Up Our Guide to Bridal Sizing
We hope this resource answered the question you came here with - what wedding dress size am I - and any other questions you have about bridal sizing in general.
But, If our in-depth wedding dress sizing guide still leaves you perplexed or confused about bridal sizing, don’t stress. Just reach out - and we'll talk you through the process so you can feel confident in your next steps. We can't wait to play a small role in your big day - and we're looking forward to meeting you!