Measurement Guide
Measurement Guide
Accurate measurements are one of the most important parts of choosing the right dress size or ordering a Custom Size dress.
Use this guide to measure your body carefully before comparing your measurements with our Size Guide or submitting Custom Size information.
Before You Measure
For the most reliable results, take fresh measurements before placing your order. Do not use measurements from another clothing brand or from a dress that you already own.
Use a flexible dressmaking tape rather than a rigid ruler or metal measuring tape.
Measure over close-fitting clothing or the undergarments you expect to wear with the dress.
Stand straight and relaxed. Do not hold your breath, pull in your stomach or change your normal posture.
For circumference measurements, keep the tape parallel to the floor and comfortably fitted around the body.
The tape should sit against the body without squeezing or leaving excessive space.
Shoulder, back, sleeve and length measurements are usually more accurate when another person helps.
How to Take Body Measurements
Bust
Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust or chest.
Keep the tape level across your back and parallel to the floor. The tape should be comfortably fitted without squeezing.
Waist
Measure around your natural waistline, usually the narrowest part of your torso.
Keep the tape level and comfortably fitted. Do not pull the tape tight or hold in your stomach.
Hips
Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
Keep your feet together and make sure the measuring tape remains level and parallel to the floor.
Shoulder / Back Width
Measure across the back from one shoulder bone to the other.
Follow the natural curve across the upper back rather than pulling the tape tightly in a straight line.
Armhole
Start at the shoulder point and measure around the arm joint, passing under the arm and returning to the starting point.
Keep your arm relaxed while measuring.
Bicep
Measure around the fullest part of your upper arm.
Keep your arm relaxed and allow the tape to sit comfortably around the arm without squeezing.
Wrist
Measure around the wrist where you would like the sleeve opening to sit.
Keep the tape comfortably fitted rather than tight.
Sleeve Length
Measure from the shoulder point down to the wrist.
Allow the tape to follow the arm naturally, passing over the elbow. Keep the arm slightly relaxed rather than fully locked straight.
Adult Dress Measurements
Adult Custom Size orders may also require the following measurements, especially for Wedding Dresses, Formal Dresses, Prom Dresses and other floor-length occasion dresses.
Hollow to Floor
Stand straight and barefoot.
Measure vertically from the hollow at the base of the neck, down the front of the body, straight to the floor.
Do not include heel height in this measurement. Enter your heel height separately.
Height
Stand barefoot with your back straight.
Measure from the top of the head straight down to the floor.
Please provide your actual barefoot height rather than your height while wearing shoes.
Heel Height
Measure the height of the heel on the shoes you plan to wear with your dress.
If you plan to wear flat shoes, enter 0.
Heel Height helps us review the intended overall length of floor-length dresses.
Weight
Provide your current body weight.
Weight is used only as an additional reference when reviewing the overall consistency of your measurements.
It does not replace Bust, Waist, Hips or other body measurements.
Kids Dress Measurements
For Flower Girl, Junior Bridesmaid, First Communion and other children's dresses, height is particularly important because children of the same age can have very different body measurements.
Height
Have the child stand barefoot, straight and relaxed.
Measure from the top of the head straight down to the floor.
Do not select a children's size based only on age. Compare height, Bust, Waist and Hips with the Kids Size Chart.
Hollow to Hem
Measure from the hollow at the base of the neck down to the desired finished hem position.
This measurement is especially useful for Custom Size children's dresses because knee-length, tea-length and floor-length designs require different finished lengths.
Adult vs. Kids Measurement Requirements
| Measurement | Adult Custom Size | Kids Custom Size |
|---|---|---|
| Bust | Yes | Yes |
| Waist | Yes | Yes |
| Hips | Yes | Yes |
| Shoulder / Back Width | Yes | Yes |
| Armhole / Bicep / Wrist / Sleeve Length | As requested | As requested |
| Height | Yes | Yes |
| Hollow to Floor | Yes for floor-length Custom Size dresses | Not normally used |
| Hollow to Hem | Not normally used for floor-length adult dresses | Used when requested for Custom Size |
| Heel Height | For floor-length dresses | Not normally required |
| Weight | Additional fit reference | Not normally required |
Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not measure a finished dress and submit those numbers as body measurements.
- Do not pull the measuring tape tightly around the Bust, Waist or Hips.
- Do not add extra centimeters or inches for comfort. Garment ease is considered separately during dress construction.
- Do not include shoe height in your barefoot Height or Hollow to Floor measurement.
- Do not use age alone to select a children's size.
- Do not copy measurements from an old order if your body measurements may have changed.
Measurements Reviewed Before Production
For eligible Custom Size orders, the measurements you submit may be reviewed before production begins.
If one measurement appears significantly inconsistent with the others, we may contact you for confirmation before pattern preparation or fabric cutting.
Please respond promptly if we contact you about a measurement so that production can proceed without unnecessary delay.
Ready to Choose Your Size?
Compare your measurements with our Adult or Kids Size Chart, or learn more about Custom Size if your measurements do not correspond closely to one standard size.
View Size Guide Learn About Custom SizeNeed Help Measuring?
If you are unsure about a measurement, contact us before placing your order. You may send us the product you are considering and the measurements you have taken so we can help identify which information may need to be checked again.
Contact UsMeasurement guidance is provided to help customers take body measurements consistently. Customers are responsible for submitting accurate measurements when ordering Custom Size.