How to measure for a dress

When it comes to finding the perfect dress, getting the right fit is one of the most important parts to consider. No matter what kind of dress you’re shopping for - be it a casual sundress, a chic cocktail dress or an elegant evening gown - knowing your measurements is crucial so you can ensure the dress looks and feels great to wear. Although it might not seem like a big thing, accurate measurements can be the difference between a dress that looks amazing and one that doesn’t.

Below, we explain everything you need to know in order to successfully take your own measurements to buy your next favourite dress.

What measurements do I need to take?

The first thing to know when it comes to measuring yourself is what measurements are needed for the specific garment you’re looking to buy. In the case of dresses, there are three essential measurements you’ll need:

• Bust - crucial for ensuring that the neckline fits well and doesn’t gape or pull
• Waist - helps to make sure the dress fits comfortably around your midsection without being too tight or too loose
• Hip - makes certain the dress can accommodate your hips and buttocks without discomfort. 

When you buy a dress online, you’ll need to convert these three measurements using the manufacturer’s size chart. Sizes can vary quite a bit between brands, so it’s vital to refer to the specific size chart for the brand you’re purchasing from in order to see the best results with this process.

Once you’ve located the right sizing chart, you need to know what to do with it. Typically, you’ll match your measurements to the closest size on the chart. For example, if your bust is 36 inches, your waist is 28 inches and your hips are 38 inches, you would find the size that best matches these numbers. 

If your measurements fall between sizes, it’s usually best to size up. That’s because a dress that is a little too small is usually much more uncomfortable than a dress that is a little too big. Additionally, tailors can easily tuck various areas of your dress to make it fit a little more snugly if you’ve chosen the next size up. However, altering a dress to be bigger is a more complex task and will likely cost you more. 

Taking your measurements

In order to measure your dress size, there are a few things you’ll need to get the job done. These include: 

• Flexible measuring tape
• Full-length mirror
• Notepad and pen or pencil.

To get more accurate measurements, it can be helpful to wear the undergarments you intend to wear with your new dress, if there’s a particular set. You may also find measuring yourself easier if you have a friend or loved one available to help you.

When it’s time to take your measurements, remember to stand up straight with a relaxed posture. You want to imitate the kind of posture you’ll have when wearing the dress, so avoid sucking in your stomach or puffing out your chest, as this can impact your measurements.

It’s also a good idea to double check your measurements and compare like for like to be sure you’ve got a reasonably accurate result. If there’s a big difference between two readings, measure yourself again. The last thing you want is to get the wrong size of dress due to a mistake when taking your measurements.

If you need to convert between inches and centimetres or vice versa at any point, remember to check these calculations as well. It may sound like a waste of time for a simple calculation, but mistakes can easily happen and it’s best to catch them early before you make a purchase based on them.

Measuring bust size

Measuring your bust size is simple, and if you’ve ever measured yourself for a bra, you’ll probably recognise the process. Start off by wearing whatever bra you intend to wear under your new dress - a non-padded one is best, unless you know you’re going to be wearing padded bras with this particular outfit. 

Wrap a soft, flexible measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust. Use a mirror or a friend to make sure the tape is flat against your skin all the way around, not twisted, and that it is level all the way without dipping or rising out of line. The tape should be snug against you, but not tight enough to compress your bust.

Top tip! Try to make the tape fit as well as you’d like the bust of your new dress to - and remember to breathe normally instead of sucking in your stomach or holding your breath. This allows for the most natural fit. 

Most of us are aware that our waists are somewhere around our hips, but when measuring for a dress, it’s important to ensure you’re measuring the right area so you can get the best fit. Usually, your waistline will be the narrowest part of your torso, marking a sort of border between your chest and your abdomen. You’ll find it a couple of inches above your belly button and below your rib cage. 

Wrap your measuring tape around this part of your body, making sure that the tape is level and flat against you. As with your bust measurements, you want the tape to sit snugly without feeling restrictive or digging into your skin. 

Take your measurement while breathing normally and maintaining a relaxed posture, then repeat the process to be sure you’ve got an accurate result. Make sure to write your measurements down clearly so that you don’t forget them - and ensure each number is distinct so that you don’t come back to your measurements later and wonder whether that digit is supposed to be a 1 or a 7.

Last but not least, you’ll need to measure your hip size. This is the widest part of your hips and buttocks, usually found around seven to nine inches below your natural waistline. Use your measuring tape to wrap around the fullest part of your hips and take two measurements for accuracy. 

By now, you should have three verified measurements for your bust, waist and hips. Now you can browse dresses online with confidence, knowing you’re sure to find a great fit.