Sizing Information
Always measure before you order!
Important Sizing Information
- Measure carefully before you buy.
- Never guess your size.
- You will probably wear a different size in formal wear than you do in your everyday clothing.
- Bra size is not your bust measurement.
- If you are unsure, have a professional seamstress take your measurements.
- Plan on alterations for a perfect fit.
- If you are in between sizes, go with the larger size. It is easier to take in a dress rather than let it out.
- On average, formal wear runs approximately two sizes smaller than regular clothing. Please do not get upset if the charts are telling you that you need a bigger size than you had thought. No one will ever see the sizing tag unless you wear the dress inside out. If it offends thee, rip it out.
How to Measure
Measure over your undergarments and hold the tailor’s tape measure comfortably loose.
(Vinyl tailor's tapes are available, for example, at Wal-Mart for around .97 cents in the craft dept.)
Bust - Measure around the fullest part of your bust line, keeping the tape even around you. Not too tight! (You can use your back bra strap as a guide.) Be aware that wearing no bra versus a strapless or regular bra can make quite a difference in measurements. A girl who wears a 34A bra will have a much different bust measurement that a girl who wears a 34D! We recommend, if possible, that you wear the undergarment that you will be wearing for your event when taking measurements. If this is not possible, then wear a bra that fits well.
Waist - Measure your natural waistline, typically the smallest part of your waist. A good guide is to measure where your body bends as if leaning to the side, approximately where your belly button is. Make sure you're not holding your stomach in while you take the measurement. Leave one finger under the measuring tape so that the tape can be moved. You want the dress to fit comfortably around the waist.
Hip - Measure the fullest part of your hips. Approximately 7"-9" below your waistline.
How do I choose the correct size? We have a size chart on each page for you to view. Please take measurements and apply them to the chart as follows: EX – If your bust is in a M, your waist in an XL and your hips in a L, you MUST go with the XL and alter down where necessary. This is why ALL THREE of your measurements are incredibly important. Please understand that these are special occasion dresses and it is the rare woman who can order a dress and have it fit perfectly. Most people will need some type of alterations even if it is just a simple hemming. It is always better to go a little bigger and have it altered down. This will save you the trouble of an exchange, restocking fee etc. Please check with your local seamstresses to get an idea of the charges before placing your order. This will eliminate any surprises.
We highly recommend getting two to three price quotes as well as references before choosing a seamstress. If there aren't many advertised seamstresses in your area, you may want to check with your local churches. Many organizations have sewing groups with many years of experience. Dry cleaning services or your local high school sewing/ home economics teacher (if the school has one) are also a great place to inquire. Again, always check references.
We are not responsible for sizing errors on the customer’s part. Our adult dresses are made to a standard length of right around 60" from shoulder to hem (unless otherwise noted). All others will need to be hemmed. Note: Just because you wear, for example, a size 10 does NOT mean that you will automatically wear a size 10 or equivalent in formal wear. ALL makers size their dresses differently. We cannot stress enough just how important it is to take accurate measurements and compare them to the size chart for that particular item.