Fitting & Measurement Guide

These measurements should be taken carefully and preferably by a professional seamstress familiar with bridal wear.  If you can, wear the bra and panties you will be wearing on the day (if you aren’t going to be wearing a bra – leave it off).  While sizing is not an exact science, please don’t deduct inches or cms in lieu of losing weight. It’s much easier to have your dress taken in, than it is to have it let out!

When measuring, the tape measure should be neither too tight nor too loose. Double check all measurements and if you aren’t able to have your measurements taken by a professional get a friend or your mum to help!

TIPS:
1. You’re likely to be retaining water while you have your period, so try and have your measurements taken at least a week before, or a couple of days after menstruation.
2. Stand naturally with your heels together, let your arms rest by your sides and don’t slump!
3. Keep the tape firm but don’t pull measure too tight.

Where to measure:

1. A - Over Bust - Below the armpits all the way around the body.
2. B - Bust - All the way around the body at the fullest part of the bust (generally where the nipples are) and across the widest part of your back, ensuring the tape measure is kept parallel to the floor.
3. C - Nipple to Nipple - The distance between both nipples.
4. D - Under Bust - Below the bust all the way around the rib cage.
5. E - Waist - Wrap the tape measure around your natural waist (generally in line with your belly button), keep the tape measure parallel to the floor and don’t measure too tightly or suck in more than you will comfortably be able to maintain on the day!
6. F - Hip - A complete wrap of the tape measure around the widest part of your hips. If you are measuring for an a-line or princess dress, position the tape around where your hip bones are. If you are measuring for a sheath dress, position the tape around the fullest part of your bottom.
7. G - Waist to floor - From centre waist all the way to the floor while wearing the shoes you plan wear on the day (or shoes of the same height).
8. H - Arm Hole - Wrap around where the arm begins at the shoulder. Do not measure too snugly.
9. I - Front waist length - From the shoulder over the nipple, to the waistline
10. J - Hollow to Hem - Start with the tape measure at the indentation of base of the neck just above the collarbone, and take it all the way down to your desired hem length. When taking this measurement, you will need to take into consideration the fullness of an a-line or princess skirt by moving the tape forward away from the body, at the hem. The tape should be pulled out according to the fullness of the skirt. You will need to take the measurement with the exact heel height you will be wearing. (FYI... the standard hollow-to-hem is commonly 58 inches).

Please note: The guidelines above are for reference only. Bride Online cannot be held responsible for the inaccuracy of any measurements provided.