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.
- 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 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 big difference in determining your best fit.
No Stretch
- Baroque Rose Damask has no stretch.
- Floret Pearl Sequin has no stretch.
- Gold Leaf Brocade has no stretch.
- Golden Yellow Floral Jacquard has no stretch.
- Hibiscus Pink Floral Jacquard has no stretch.
- Luxe Bridal Tweed has no stretch.
- Lux Charmeuse has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
- Lux Chiffon has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
- Marguerite Ditsy Jacquard has no stretch.
- Matte Satin has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
- Noir Garden Metallic Jacquard has no stretch.
- Satin Twill has no stretch.
- Sheer Crepe has no stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
Some Stretch
- Champagne Filigree Brocade has minimal stretch or give.
- Crepe has minimal stretch or give.
- Cobalt Floral Metallic Jacquard has minimal stretch or give.
- Gilt Indigo Brocade has minimal stretch or give.
- Gilt Rosette Jacquard has minimal stretch or give.
- Ivy Fleur Embroidery has stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
- Neu Tulle has stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
- Neu Stretch Charmeuse has stretch.
- Soft Tulle has some stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
- Trellis 3D Sequin Embroidery has minimal stretch and cannot be let-out without damage.
- Tulle has minimal stretch.
- Whisper Satin has some stretch.
Lots of Stretch
- Lux Jersey has plenty of stretch. If you prefer a tighter fit, we suggest sizing down.
- Lux Velvet has plenty of stretch. If you prefer a tighter fit, we suggest sizing down.
- Luxe Stretch Satin has plenty of stretch. If you prefer a tighter fit, we suggest sizing down.
- Pleated Metallic has plenty of stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you may want to size down.
- Pleated Metallic Gold Foil has plenty of stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you may want to size down.
- Pleated Metallic Harvest Floral has plenty of stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you may want to size down.
- Pleated Metallic Ombre has plenty of stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you may want to size down.
- Sequin Lace has some stretch. If you're between sizes and prefer a tighter fit, you may want to size down.
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