The Dress Fitting Guide | Wedding Gown Fitting Guide

By Tahlia Butler

The Dress Fitting Guide

When it comes to your special day, you want your dress to look and feel perfect. It can be stressful finding that perfect gown and the perfect fitting your dress can be a challenge. You may find the perfect dress but want to loose a little want or put on a little weight before your wedding day and this will ultimately change the fit of your dress. You may need further alterations just before the wedding in these cases.

Firstly, you need to know your measurements and dress size. Below is a chart that you can match your measurements to and pick the closest corresponding dress size. You should grab a friend and get some measurements to ensure your number are accurate when purchasing your dress. It really is easy and you can do it in a few minutes!

Before taking your measurements here are some tips and tricks to make sure your numbers are accurate:

• Use a tape measure that is meant for taking clothing and body measurements. This is usually a roll that is flexible to easily wrap around your body and curves.
• Make sure the tape is straight when wrapping around your body. This avoids any mis-measurements due to your tape measure being at a slight angle – this is why it is easiest to grab a friend to help out.
• The tape measure should be firm but not so tight that it is creating a sort of 'muffin top'.

 Here are the measurements you need to write down:

 

 

Additional Help For Measurement :

BUST (3)

  

We all know this one. When taking this measurement the tape should wrap around the bust at the fullest point, measuring across your nipples and around your back to get the most accurate size. Try to ensure the tap measure is as straight as possible and not sitting half way down your back on an angle.

 

 

 OVERBUST (2)

 

This measurement is taken at the top of your breasts and across the arm pits. Be sure that you don't wrap the measuring tape around your arms!

 

 

UNDERBUST (4)

 

Measure underneath the breasts and around the back, ensuring the tape measure is not too high or too low. Think about where the hem of your bra would sit.

 

 

 

WAIST (5)

 

Wrap the measuring tape around your waist at the smallest point. This is usually around where your rib cage ends. Be sure you don't pull the tape too tight, otherwise you may not be able to breathe in your dress!

 

 

 

HIPS (6)

 

This is the widest part of your hips. Remember to keep the tape measure straight and wrap it around your bum and front for an accurate number.

 

 

 

OUTSEAM (18)

 

 

This is the first measurement for lengths. You need to run the tape from your waist to floor.

 

 

 

Your Actual Height (20)

 

This is from the top of your head down to the floor without any heels or shoes on. Remember to be standing up straight with proper posture for a correct measurement.

 

 

 

Your Height In Heels

Before taking this measurement you need to decide on the height of your shoes. If you are going to be wearing 2 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch heels and so on. Put on a pair of heels that are the same height as the heels you are going to wear on the day, or even better where the shoes you are planning to wear if you have already purchased them. Then run the tape measure from the top of your head down to the floor. This will ensure that your dress is sitting at the right height even if you are wearing heels.

  Take advantage of this table below to decide on the best dress size for you

 

Here are some extra tips to ensure your fit goes smoothly:

Ensure you have undergarments that fit properly. A improper undergarment fit can cause your dress to look terrible and even a change in shoe height can make all the difference. Buy undergarments that are either suitable to the dress style you are looking at or ones that can be adjusted to suit various styles. Choose a colour that is as close to your skin tone to avoid any colour issues coming through your dress. Seamless undergarments are the best option to ensure that you aren't going to have any lines, especially if you are considering a tight fitting gown.

• Your shoes can change how you feel in your dress. You should have a set height that you want to stick to to ensure you hem ends where you want. You will need to make sure that the shoes you do purchase for your big day match the height of the heels you tried on your dress with or the measurements you took for your dress.
• Allow time for customisation and alterations. It takes time for perfection and if your dress is complex you should allow even more time. Roughly around 2-4months is usually acceptable for a pretty standard gown and alterations.
• Depending on the fabric of your dress you may need to get it streamed before your wedding to get rid of any crinkles and creases that can occur during transport.
• Remember it is your dress so if there is something that is off to you be vocal about it.
• If there are too many alterations you want made to a dress, pick another dress as it will save you time and money – you may even find something completely perfect that only requires fitting alterations not style changes.