Measuring Instructions

Full Bust : inches 

This measurement is one of the three most used when ordering a dress. ‘Bust’ means the full circumference of the fullest part of your bosom and round your back together. When you measure, wear a bra or other support garment that offers equivalent support that the underwear you intend to wear with the dress will (if possible the same bra). If you intend not to wear a bra then measure unsupported (and unpadded). Use your bra-strap as a rough guide for the tape measure because the back of the tape needs to be straight, not sagging. Do not squeeze the tape around you; let it rest lightly but not loosely. Best to measure in inches at this is what most bust/waist/hip measurements are listed in. As with all measurements it is best to get a friend to help you or better yet a friend with dressmaking skills! 

Waist : inches

Please resist the strong temptation to breathe in for this measurement, even if it means you friend sees your measurement! If you breathe in to reduce your waist size then the dress will pucker in the middle and emphasize any ‘rolls’ you may have instead of skimming over them nicely and you will be very uncomfortable and possibly not even be able to sit or (shock-horror) do up your dress which really is worst-case scenario.The best way to measure your natural waist is to tie a ribbon around your tummy and wiggle until it settles very definitely (on your waist) tie snugly but not tightly. Keep it tied in a bow, especially if you are taking other measurements (as it will provide and unmoving reference point for you to help with accuracy). Now you have the ribbon there to tell you exactly where your natural waist it, you can pull the tape measure around you and take the measurement (usually best in inches).  

Hips : inches

For most women, this is going to be the widest measurement, so please don’t shy away as it is essential to make sure the dress will fit over your hips and bottom nicely. With some of our puffy bottomed dresses hips is not going to be a problem as they expand over your hips into the classic bell shape, but you do need to watch out for long bodied bodices. If you have opted for a slinky design then this measurement can’t be disregarded. Measure around the very fullest part of your hips (as a rough guide this is usually where the leg of high-leg style knickers ends). It is helpful to look in a mirror sideways as you are doing this, placing the tape completely horizontally over the fullest part of your bottom. Then, holding the tape still, rotate in front of the mirror to see if the you have encircled the widest part (don’t nit-pick your figure while observing though!) It might be helpful to you later on if you take a note of how far down from your waist (remember measure directly from the ribbon you put there earlier) you are measuring your hips from. Ok, so that's the main three over and done with but scroll down for some other measurements which may be useful when ordering formal wear (not necessary for all gowns).

Upper bust: inches

Measure over your bust (imagine the neckline of a straight top strapless gown) and round your back. Much in the same manner of your actual bust measurement.

Under bust: inches

Measure under your bust as though you are measuring for a bra. 

Bust point: inches

Usually used in corsetry, self explanatory…well-nipple to nipple really. 

Shoulder to bust: inches

This measurement is taken from the point on your shoulder where a seam would usually be on most articles of clothing. You need to measure from the shoulder to the bust point (or at least where the bust point is in the right underwear!) 

Front Length Shoulder to Waist: inches

Remember the last point of measurement on the shoulder? Measure from here again over the bust down to the ribbon that I suggested you keep around your waist.  

Hollow to hem:  inches

This is a very important bridal measurement and often used in full length ball gowns’ measurements too. The ‘hollow’ refers to the dip in your collar bone which provides and unmoving reference point. The reason that the dress length is measured from this point is that the bust-line/neckline of any one dress will be different to the hundreds of others available so one simply can’t measure from the top of the dress, it has to be on the body. If you are unsure of where your ‘hollow’ is then have a (gentle) poke around the area beneath your throat and above your chest, where you might wear a short necklace. Now you have found the starting point for the long measurement, employ a friend or much better still,an experienced dressmaker to place the tape measure at your hollow, all the way down to the floor, meanwhile leaning the tape slightly away from the body as it nears the floor to replicate the line of a dress (as a dress doesn’t stick rigid to your legs in most circumstances).  

Outer Leg: inches

This measurement is taken down the side of your straightened leg with the shoes you intend to wear with your dress on. Use the ribbon at your waist as a guide.   

Arm’s eye: inches

This measurement provides the size of the sleeve hole that you are comfortable wearing. This measurement is entirely subjective and you can make it as deep or as tight as you are comfortable with. 

Shoulder to Shoulder: inches

Now from the edge of that shoulder socket, measure all the way
over to the same point on the other shoulder along the back.

Neck: inches

Measure around neck loosely (comfortably). You will not need this one unless your garment has a high neck and/or collar.  

Arm Length: inches

Measure from shoulder point to wrist, arm bent.  

Bicep: inches

Measure around arm at fullest part of upper arm.  

Upper-arm length: inches

Measure from outer shoulder down to elbow.