So you found the perfect bridesmaid dress, and now it’s time for the great debate—what size bridesmaids dress to order. To help you find the best fit, we put together an easy-to-follow guide with tips for how to measure for a bridesmaid dress, so you can easily measure yourself before ordering your dreamy Birdy Grey style!
Before we get started, we suggest preparing with these items:
• A soft and flexible 60-inch measuring tape
• A notepad and pen to jot down your measurements
• Wear something form-fitting to ensure the most accurate measurements
• Grab your heels for the big day, or a pair that will be similar in height
When it comes to taking measurements for a bridesmaid dress, there are four key areas to consider: your bust, waist, hips, and dress length. When using your measuring tape, you'll want to make sure that you don't pull it too tight around your body—give yourself some wiggle room, so that you have room to breathe.
Measuring Guidelines
1. Bust
If you’re planning on wearing a bra underneath your bridesmaids dress, we suggest wearing that exact bra for your fitting. This will ensure the fit is as comfortable and as precise as possible. When measuring, it’s also important to note that your bust size is not the same as your bra size—it’s the measurement of the fullest part of your chest. Start by wrapping the measuring tape around the widest part of your back, and bring it around to the fullest part of your bust (usually right above the nipple), to form a full circle.
2. Waist
You’ll want to look for your natural waistline, and wrap the measuring tape around the small of your waist. If you’re having trouble finding your true waistline, it’s usually the smallest area of your torso, between your ribs and your hips (usually an inch or two above your belly button). Make sure you’re not sucking in your belly or wrapping the measuring tape too tightly around your waist.
3. Hips
Stand in a relaxed position, and find your body’s widest point, usually around your seat. Wrap around the widest part of your hips (the tape should sit across your hip bones).
4. Dress Length
For your dress length measurements, be sure to measure while wearing the shoes you’ll be wearing on the big day (or shoes that are similar in height). Start at the hollow of your neck (the center of your collarbone), and measure down to your desired hemline. If your dress has a fuller skirt, the measuring tape should be held at an angle, to account for the fullness of the skirt. You might want an extra hand or help from a professional to get this part just right.
A Few Helpful Hints
• Most of our gowns tend to run a touch large, so if you float between sizes based on the size chart, you may want to order a size down.
• Always be sure to read through the \"size & fit\" notes on the specific product page for the dress that you’ll be ordering. We'll tell you if that particular dress runs small, large or true-to-size.
• If you're over 5'8\", be sure to reference the dress length on the product details page. Not all of our gowns are the same length, so it’s best to check before you order.
• Always be sure to read through the \"size & fit\" notes on the specific product page for the dress that you’ll be ordering. We'll tell you if that particular dress runs small, large or true-to-size.
• If you're over 5'8\", be sure to reference the dress length on the product details page. Not all of our gowns are the same length, so it’s best to check before you order.
What is the right size for you depending on your measurements?
Measurements may vary slightly between styles, so always make sure to look at the size chart of the dress style you're purchasing. If your measurements don’t line up to one specific size, we recommend choosing your size based on your waist measurement, especially if your bust and hip measurements fall into different size ranges. Here's an example of a size chart below:
| NUMERIC SIZING | BUST RANGE | WAIST RANGE | HIP RANGE | DRESS LENGTH | |
| XS | 0 - 2 | 31.5 - 32.5 | 25 - 26 | 34.5 - 35.5 | 61.5 |
| S | 2 - 4 | 33.5 - 34.5 | 27 - 28 | 36.5 - 37.5 | 62 |
| M | 6 - 8 | 35.5 - 36.5 | 29 - 30 | 38.5 - 39.5 | 62.5 |
| L | 8 - 10 | 38 - 39 | 31.5 - 32.5 | 41 - 42 | 63 |
| XL | 10 - 12 | 40 - 41 | 33.5 - 34.5 | 43 - 44 | 63 |
| XXL | 14 - 16 | 42 - 43 | 35.5 - 36.5 | 45 - 46 | 63 |
| 1X | 18 | 46 - 47.5 | 39.5 - 41 | 49 - 50.5 | 63 |
| 2X | 20 | 48.5 - 50 | 42.5 - 44 | 51.5 - 53 | 63 |
| 3X | 22 | 51 - 52.5 | 45.5 - 47 | 54 - 55.5 | 63 |
Measurement Mistakes to Avoid
Pulling Measuring Tape Too Tight
Nobody is judging you based on the number on that measuring tape, so keep it real! Don’t pull the tape too tight and try not to suck your stomach in while measuring. Think about how comfortable you want to be at the wedding—eating, dancing, performing all the bridesmaid duties.
Sizing Down
You’ve heard this before but it’s much easier to make alterations on a dress that’s bigger on you than one that’s too small. So if you’re in between sizing on different parts of your body (say, the bust versus the waist), go with the size that corresponds to the bigger measurement.
Not Taking the Most Accurate Measurements
This goes along with the first mistake, but try to be as accurate as possible with all the measurement points. It’ll make for the best-fitting (or at least closest-fitting) dress size so it’ll require less alterations before the big day.
Still unsure of which bridesmaids dress size to order? Feel free to email us at sup@birdygrey.com, and one of our bridal stylists will be more than happy to help you determine your best size!