Dessy Group Sizing & Fit
Bridesmaids & Brides ↓
Bridesmaid Dress Size Chart
Congrats! You've chosen your ideal dress — now you just need to find what size bridesmaids dress to order. We've pulled together a step-by-step guide on how to measure for a bridesmaid dress with tips to help you find the best fit. Plus, measuring mistakes to avoid.
How to Measure for a Bridesmaid Dress at Home
Let's get measuring! Here's what you'll need:
- You’ll need a soft, flexible 60-inch measuring tape.
- Wear form-fitting clothing to ensure accurate measurements.
- Wear the undergarments (or similar) that you’ll be wearing on the big day.
- Wear the shoes (or similar height) you’ll be wearing on the big day.
- Mark down your measurements ASAP to make sure they’re accurately recorded.
How to Take your Measurements
1. Bust
Measure around the fullest part of your bust, wearing only the bra (or similar) you intend to wear with your dress. This will ensure that your fit is as accurate as possible. Keeping the measuring tape parallel to the floor, wrap the tape around your back and bring it around across the fullest part of your bust, making a full circle. Remember, your bra size is NOT the same as your bust measurement.
2. Natural Waist
Your waist measurement is critical to get right; it most often affects sizing. Your natural waist is the narrowest part of your torso, typically just below your rib cage and about 2 inches above your belly button. An easy way to find your natural waist is to bend to one side and find your natural crease. Then, measure around your torso at the crease while keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Remember, pull the measuring tape snugly against your skin for accurate measurements.
3. Hips
Stand in a relaxed position and wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your hips (usually around your bum) while keeping it parallel to the floor. Your hip measurement should be around 9 inches down from your waist measurement. Remember, it's important to wear form-fitting clothing to get the most precise measurements.
4. Hollow-to-Hem
This measurement is the dress length from the hollow of your neck to the hemline. It will help you determine if you need to order extra length on full-length styles. First, make sure you're wearing shoes of a similar height to those you'll be wearing with your dress. Next, measure from the hollow of your neck (the center of your collarbone) to the floor. If you order extra length, you may still need to hem your dress length since a fixed amount of length is added to accommodate varying heights.
Helpful Sizing Tips
- Accurate Measurements are Essential – For the most accurate measurements, pull the measuring tape snugly against your skin. Always keep the tape parallel to the floor, don't let it droop. Make sure you are measuring in the correct spot, and breathe normally while measuring. See our mistakes to avoid below for more pointers.
- Our Dresses May Run Small – Some dresses can run one size smaller than ready-to-wear sizing, depending on your typical size and the fabric, style and cut. (Say you're a size 12 in your favorite clothing brand, you may be a Dessy 14. If you typically wear a size in the 18-30W range, you'll want to read the #2 mistake to avoid.) If your size recommendation is more than 1 size off from your typical size, you'll want to re-measure yourself — especially your natural waist. Please contact us with any sizing questions. We're always happy to help you choose the right size for you.
- Body Measurements not Dress – Our size charts list body measurements. All of our dresses are designed with room for movement, so you don't need to account for extra space when choosing the best size for you. Just compare your body measurements with the body measurements listed in the size chart.
- Not Custom Dresses – Our dresses are designed using standard industry sizing. They are not custom-made using customer measurements. We ask you to enter your measurements so that we can recommend a standard Dessy size that will best fit you based on your body measurements.
- When to Order Extra Length – If you're 5 feet 8 inches or taller and wearing a 2-inch heel or higher, you may want to order extra length. Ultimately, deciding to order extra length will depend on how close to the floor you prefer your dress to fall. Keep in mind that the extra length option will add either 3 inches or 5 inches, depending on your chosen dress style, so you'll likely need to have the dress hemmed to your desired length.
- Alterations are Often Needed – It's uncommon for a bridesmaid dress to fit flawlessly without making alterations. Alterations such as shortening the hem, taking in a bodice or shortening straps are often necessary for a flattering, optimal fit. The cost of bridesmaid dress alterations depends on the dress fabric, dress design, what you're having altered, your timeframe, and where you live.
Finding the Right Size for You
Let's compare your body measurements with the body measurements in our size chart!
We can also provide you a size recommendation.
Accurate measurements are super important. Alterations are often needed.
Dresses are designed with room for movement.
Body Measurements: INCHES | CM
| BRIDESMAIDS · BRIDES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| SIZE | BUST | WAIST | HIPS |
| 00 | 31 | 25 | 35 |
| 0 | 32 | 26 | 36 |
| 2 | 33 | 27 | 37 |
| 4 | 34 | 28 | 38 |
| 6 | 35 | 29 | 39 |
| 8 | 36 | 30 | 40 |
| 10 | 37 | 31 | 41 |
| 12 | 38.5 | 32.5 | 42.5 |
| 14 | 40 | 34 | 44 |
| 16 | 41.5 | 35.5 | 45.5 |
| 18W | 43.5 | 37.5 | 47.5 |
| 20W | 45.5 | 39.5 | 49.5 |
| 22W | 48.5 | 42.5 | 52.5 |
| 24W | 51.5 | 45.5 | 55.5 |
| 26W | 54.5 | 48.5 | 58.5 |
| 28W | 57.5 | 51.5 | 61.5 |
| 30W | 60.5 | 54.5 | 64.5 |
| BRIDESMAIDS · LOUNGEWEAR · (excludes Loop & Twist) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| SIZE | BUST | WAIST | HIPS |
| XXS | 30 | 24 | 34 |
| 31 | 25 | 35 | |
| XS | 32 | 26 | 36 |
| 33 | 27 | 37 | |
| SM | 34 | 28 | 38 |
| 35 | 29 | 39 | |
| MED | 36 | 30 | 40 |
| 37 | 31 | 41 | |
| LG | 38.5 | 32.5 | 42.5 |
| 40 | 34 | 44 | |
| XL | 41.5 | 35.5 | 45.5 |
| 43.5 | 37.5 | 47.5 | |
| XXL | 45.5 | 39.5 | 49.5 |
| 47.5 | 41.5 | 51.5 | |
| 1X | 48.5 | 42.5 | 52.5 |
| 50.5 | 44.5 | 54.5 | |
| 2X | 51.5 | 45.5 | 55.5 |
| 53.5 | 47.5 | 57.5 | |
| 3X | 54.5 | 48.5 | 58.5 |
| 56.5 | 50.5 | 60.5 | |
| 4x | 57.5 | 51.5 | 61.5 |
| 59.5 | 53.5 | 63.5 | |
| 5x | 60.5 | 54.5 | 64.5 |
| Size Range | Hollow-to-Hem Full-Length | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Numeric | Alpha | Most Brands | Thread, Cynthia & Sahar |
| 00-10 | XXS-MD | 58.5 | 60 |
| 12-14 | LG | 58.75 | 60.25 |
| 16-18 | XL | 59 | 60.5 |
| 20-22 | XXL-1X | 59.25 | 60.75 |
| 24-26 | 2X-3X | 59.5 | 61 |
| 28-30 | 4X-5X | 59.75 | 61.25 |
| This measurement will help you decide if you need extra length. learn more | |||
If you'd like help choosing your size, please contact us. We're happy to help!
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Don't measure your waist in the wrong spot
It's essential that you measure your natural waist as accurately as possible. A large selection of our dresses are fitted at the waist, which means your waist measurement will often be critical in determining your size. Your natural waist is the narrowest part of your torso, typically just below your rib cage and about 2 inches above your belly button. To find your natural waist, just bend to one side and find the natural crease — that's your natural waist. We recommend measuring your waist a few times so you'll have an accurate number. Keep in mind — pull the measuring tape snugly against your skin, and make sure you breathe!
2. Don't always just order your typical size
Some of our styles may run smaller than ready-to-wear clothing — especially in fitted silhouettes with non-stretch fabrics. We find that missy sizes 00-16 can run one size smaller, and women's sizes 18-30 can run 2 sizes smaller. Say, you're a size 6 in most ready-to-wear brands, you may wear a size 8 in our non-stretch, fitted styles. And if you're a 20 in most ready-to-wear brands, you may wear a 24 in our non-stretch, fitted styles. If your size recommendation is more than 1-2 sizes larger than your typical size, you'll want to double-check that your measurements are accurate. And if you're unsure what's the best size for you, please contact us!
3. Don't forget to factor in the fabric stretch
The amount of give or stretch in a fabric is also important in choosing the right size for you. If your measurements place you between dress sizes, you may want to size up or down depending on the stretch factor of the fabric. You'll also want to consider whether you prefer a tighter fit for dresses made from a stretchier fabric. Check out the fabric factors chart directly below for fabric fit tips. Again, we're always here to help you choose your size!
Fabric Factors
The stretchability of a fabric can make a huge difference in determining your size. Stretchier fabrics allow for more flexibility which means you may want to size down from your typical size for a tighter fit. For fabrics with little to no stretch, you may need to size up if your measurements are between sizes. Again it's much simpler to take in a dress than it is to let it out!
May Run Small
· no stretch ·
- Satin Twill dresses can run one size smaller than your typical size. If you're between sizes, we suggest sizing up.
- Lux Chiffon has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage. If you're between sizes, you may want to size up from your typical size. It's much easier to take in a Lux Chiffon dress.
- Lux Charmeuse has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage. If you're between sizes, you may want to size up from your typical size. It's much easier to take in a Lux Charmeuse dress.
- Sheer Crepe has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage. If you're between sizes, you may want to size up from your typical size. It's much easier to take in a Sheer Crepe dress.
- Organdy has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage. If you're between sizes, you may want to size up from your typical size. It's much easier to take in an Organdy dress.
- Matte Satin has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage. If you're between sizes, you may want to size up from your typical size. It's much easier to take in a Matte Satin dress.
- Bridal Satin has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage. If you're between sizes, you may want to size up from your typical size. It's much easier to take in a Bridal Satin dress.
- Crinkle Chiffon has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage. If you're between sizes, you may want to size up from your typical size. It's much easier to take in a Crinkle Chiffon dress.
- Peau De Soie has no stretch. If you are between sizes, you may wish to size up from your typical size.
- Rococo Lace has no stretch. If you are between sizes, you may wish to size up from your typical size.
- Metallic Brocade has no stretch. If you are between sizes, you may wish to size up from your typical size.
- Fleur Lace has no stretch. If you are between sizes, you may wish to size up from your typical size.
May Run True to Size
· some stretch ·
- Whisper Satin has stretch and most styles have full skirts. We find Whisper Satin styles are true to size.
- Crepe has minimal stretch or give. You may require a size up from your typical size in a fitted silhouette, if you prefer a more relaxed fit.
- Bridal Crepe has minimal stretch or give. You may require a size up from your typical size in a fitted silhouette, if you prefer a more relaxed fit.
- Studio Sequin has minimal stretch or give. You may require a size up from your typical size in a fitted silhouette, if you prefer a more relaxed fit.
- Florentine Lace has some stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
- Soft Tulle has some stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
- Tulle has minimal give.
- Classic Lace has very minimal give.
- Marquis Lace has very minimal give.
May Run Large
· lots of stretch ·
- Lux Velvet has plenty of stretch. If you prefer a tighter fit, we suggest sizing down at least one size from your typical size.
- Luxe Stretch Satin has plenty of stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you might want to size down from your typical size.
- Stretch Charmeuse has plenty of stretch. If you prefer a tighter fit, we suggest sizing down at least one size from your typical size.
- Lux Jersey has plenty of stretch. If you prefer a tighter fit, we suggest sizing down at least one size from your typical size.
- Matte Jersey has plenty of stretch. If you prefer a tighter fit, we suggest sizing down at least one size from your typical size.
- Maracaine Jersey has plenty of stretch. If you prefer a tighter fit, we suggest sizing down at least one size from your typical size.
- SoHo Metallic has plenty of stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you might want to size down from your typical size.
- Chiffon Knit has some stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you might want to size down from your typical size.
- Elle Sequin has some stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you might want to size down from your typical size.
- Sequin Lace has some stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you might want to size down from your typical size.
Not sure what size to order? Get a size recommendation
If you'd like help choosing your size, get in touch with a Dessy
stylist. We're happy to help you choose the best size for you!
Contact a Stylist