What Size Am I in Wedding Dresses? A Complete Bridal Sizing Guide
Starting your wedding dress shopping journey is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning! From spending the day with your loved ones, to finding the gown that makes you feel the most beautiful and bridal, this step of the planning process is a special one. As you embark on finding your dream dress, the topic of bridal sizing may come up. It’s important to choose a bridal boutique with expert stylists and trusted seamstress recommendations, to help guide you to the closest fit for you and the perfect partner for alterations. Keep reading for more about understanding bridal sizing, details about alterations, and more frequently asked questions!
Each bridal designer approaches fit uniquely, from the structure of the gown to the way fabrics are designed to sit on the body. A fitted crepe dress can feel entirely different from a ball gown in the same size, and sizing may vary based on the designer, silhouette, or construction of the gown. This may make bridal sizing feel unclear, but we’re here to clear up any confusion and help you head into bridal gown shopping feeling confident!
With the right knowledge, like an expert stylist, designer size chart, and trusted seamstress, choosing a wedding dress becomes less about the number on the tag, and more about finding what makes you feel like the best version of you. Sizes do not define you or how much you deserve to be celebrated on your wedding day. Bridal sizing is simply a tool to help you achieve the best fit on your big day!
Understanding Bridal Sizing
Bridal sizing is designed to create a beautifully tailored fit, which is why it is based on body measurements rather than familiar size labels. Bust, waist, and hip measurements guide the initial size selection, allowing designers to construct gowns that can be refined through alterations.
Because there is no universal bridal sizing standard, each designer establishes their own size chart based on how their gowns are made. Fabric choice, silhouette type, seam placement, and built-in support all influence how a wedding dress fits and feels once it is on your body!
Think of bridal sizing as a starting point, not the final result! The goal is to choose the size that most closely aligns with your measurements so your gown can be perfected through professional alterations. Alterations are truly a game changer, and necessary for any bridal gown, whether you purchase a sample or order a dress with a special order boutique. Understanding this process helps make wedding dress shopping feel clear, confident, and exciting as you move closer to finding your dress.
What is a Bridal Sample Size?
In traditional bridal boutiques, brides try on sample gowns during their appointment, then place an order for a new dress that is made specifically for them. The gown is ready for pickup and alterations 6-8 months later.
At Luxe Redux, our collection is completely unique. We curate bridal samples sourced from traditional bridal boutiques across the country, offering brides the opportunity to shop designer gowns off-the-rack. Our inventory includes designer sample wedding dresses in a wide range of sizes, from 0-28, allowing all brides to experience the joy of saying yes for less and shopping off-the-rack! With expert styling, guidance, and alterations, sample wedding gowns are the perfect option and are ultimately able to give you that perfect fit.
Bridal Shopping Experience: In-store + Online
Whether you’re shopping in one of our boutiques or browsing online, our goal is the same: to make finding your wedding dress feel informed, supported, and exciting!
In-Store
During an in-store appointment, your stylist does the heavy lifting for you! Using your measurements, vision, and comfort level, they’ll thoughtfully pull gowns for you to try on, guide you through how each dress should fit, and help identify your best size based on designer sizing and sample availability. Your stylist will also walk you through what can be adjusted in alterations, so you can focus less on numbers and more on how the dress makes you feel.
Online
Shopping online looks a little different, but you’re never on your own. If you’re browsing from home, our E-Commerce Stylist, Cait, is just a message away! From helping you interpret designer size charts to offering fit guidance based on fabric, silhouette, and your measurements, Cait is there to make online bridal shopping feel seamless and personal, so you can choose your wedding dress with confidence
No matter how you shop, expert guidance is always part of the Luxe Redux experience!
Alterations Are Part of the Process
Almost every bride will need some form of wedding dress alterations, regardless of size or fit. Alterations are a normal and expected part of the bridal experience, ensuring that each gown is tailored to the bride’s body and vision for their wedding day! Knowing this upfront allows brides to shop confidently, focusing on finding the dress they love rather than worrying about the perfect fit right away.
The most common alterations help the dress fit flawlessly and comfortably. These typically include hemming, adjusting the bodice or straps, and tailoring the waist + hips! Even small adjustments can make a big difference in how the gown moves and feels, ensuring that the dress not only looks beautiful but also feels effortless from ceremony to reception!
Additionally, because Luxe Redux is an off-the-rack sample boutique, some gowns may have minor imperfections, such as loose beading, missing buttons, or small snags, but don't fret! These details are easily fixed during alterations and are part of why our dresses are offered at a marked-down price, giving brides the opportunity to take home a designer gown for less without compromising on quality or style!
Understanding how alterations work helps remove any uncertainty and ensures that every bride can leave with a gown that feels truly their own. Alterations allow for a perfectly tailored fit, address minor imperfections, and give brides the confidence to focus on the joy of wearing their dream dress on their dream day!
FAQs
How Do I Figure Out My Bridal Size?
Your bridal size is determined by your body measurements, not your everyday clothing size. Taking accurate bust, waist, and hip measurements and comparing them to a designer’s size chart is the most reliable way to find your starting size! Because bridal sizing varies by designer, your size may change depending on the gown. A stylist during your bridal appointment, or Cait, our dedicated E-Commerce Stylist, can help interpret your measurements and guide you toward the best size based on fit, fabric, and silhouette.
If My Bust, Waist, and Hips Measure Different Sizes, Which Size Should I Choose?
This is more common than you think! You should choose your wedding dress size based on your largest measurement. From there, a trusted seamstress can adjust other areas of the dress during alterations. Choosing the size that accommodates your largest measurement helps protect the structure of the gown and ensures a smoother, more polished final fit.
How Much Can a Wedding Dress Be Altered Down?
In most cases, a wedding dress can be altered two to three sizes down while maintaining its original design and structure!
Still have questions as you continue your wedding dress shopping journey? Our FAQ page is filled with additional tips and expert answers to help you feel confident every step of the way.
Ready to find your dream wedding dress online?
