which size dress should I order- hate that they don't have all sizes in stock to try on!

Bruins63

So I found the dress of my dreams, they only had it in a size 12 and they used the giant clips to pull it tight. They took my measurements and said I was exactly a 4. 

Well, they did this for my bridesmaid dress a few months ago for my brother's wedding and while the dress technically zipped it felt insanely tight and restricting. So I had a panic attack and freaked out that if I get my wedding gown in a 4 it's going to be as tight and uncomfortable so I ordered it in a 6. Do you think this was the right decision?! They can't technically send the order to the designer until I pay 50% which I haven't so there's still time to change it if I want. Any similar situations with your dress? 

Thanks ladies!! 

manateehugger

Going down - especially just one size - is very easy and standard for a good seamstress. No big deal. I actually think it's always smarter to play a bit on the safe side. Just maintain your weight and you'll be fine. 

QueerFemme

Have a professional seamstress take your measurements, and then compare it to the designer's size chart. Most designers have their size charts on their websites, so you will know if they are ordering the right size. 

Always order at your largest measurement. So, if your bust is a size 2, your waist a size 4, and your hips in between a size 4 and 6, order the 6. 

seshat303

I had the opposite concern when I ordered my dress.  Several years back I ordered based on my measurements for a BM dress and it was HUGE on me, so I was very concerned a similar thing would happen with my wedding dress.  The sample I tried could be zipped, but it was definitely uncomfortably tight.  After taking my measurements, they told me to order 3 sizes up from the sample, which seemed a little ridiculous. I ended up ordering one size smaller than the shop recommended (and after people pointed out the sample I tried on may have stretched out considerably).  It worked out perfectly for me (zero alterations *needed*, but I'm going to have some modifications made since I Can't. Stand. Strapless.), but it was definitely a gamble.

It seriously depends on your proportions and the cut of the dress though.  If your hips are your largest measurement and the dress is full in the hips it makes zero sense to pick the size based of your largest measurement.  If you anticipate alterations anyway, going with the size 6 should take away any worry you may have while waiting for your dress and it's far easier to take in a dress than to let it out (and one size should not be a big deal). Part of the reason I made the decision I did was that I had been able to try on other dresses in my correct size that all fit spot on, so I was concerned about unnecessary alterations.

Bruins63

seshat303 said:

I had the opposite concern when I ordered my dress.  Several years back I ordered based on my measurements for a BM dress and it was HUGE on me, so I was very concerned a similar thing would happen with my wedding dress.  The sample I tried could be zipped, but it was definitely uncomfortably tight.  After taking my measurements, they told me to order 3 sizes up from the sample, which seemed a little ridiculous. I ended up ordering one size smaller than the shop recommended (and after people pointed out the sample I tried on may have stretched out considerably).  It worked out perfectly for me (zero alterations *needed*, but I'm going to have some modifications made since I Can't. Stand. Strapless.), but it was definitely a gamble.

It seriously depends on your proportions and the cut of the dress though.  If your hips are your largest measurement and the dress is full in the hips it makes zero sense to pick the size based of your largest measurement.  If you anticipate alterations anyway, going with the size 6 should take away any worry you may have while waiting for your dress and it's far easier to take in a dress than to let it out (and one size should not be a big deal). Part of the reason I made the decision I did was that I had been able to try on other dresses in my correct size that all fit spot on, so I was concerned about unnecessary alterations.

good points! My chest is small it's a 2-4 however my butt is definitely a 6 and this is a mermaid style that's tight in the butt! I also can't stand strapless, so the fact that mine has straps makes me worry a lot less about the top being too big. I would LOVE to not have any alterations but if they have to take it in a tiny bit I guess it's worth it to not stress about needed to fit the 4. 

southernbelle0915

QueerFemme said:

Have a professional seamstress take your measurements, and then compare it to the designer's size chart. Most designers have their size charts on their websites, so you will know if they are ordering the right size. 

Always order at your largest measurement. So, if your bust is a size 2, your waist a size 4, and your hips in between a size 4 and 6, order the 6. 

Exactly this.

hyechica81

i measured 3 sizes bigger than my street size for the dress the sample i tried on was 5 inches to small. instead of ordering 3 sizes larger we went 2 sizes larger beacuse there is only a 5 inch difference and its a corsett top so she said it would fit perfectly 

atlastmrsg

I would not base everything on a size chart.  Often dresses are inconsistent, even within the same designer due to different fabrics, design (flowy, corset...), or just because that's how it goes.  Just remember that you can always have it taken in.  If you're in doubt, pick the larger size.  99% chance you're going to need alterations anyway--a little nip here, tuck there to keep wrinkles away and to get the perfect fit.

KPBM89

Ohmygosh sizing is such an issue!  I definitely agree that you have to order from your largest measurement.  I wear a 6 in every day jeans, but my chest is 34DD.  I tried on gowns in a huge range of sizes, from 4 all the way to 12 and they all fit differently.  In the end, I bought a fit and flare gown and I had to get a 10 so it would fit my chest and I can get the waist taken in if I need to.  She said the same thing I've heard from dozens: it's easier to take in a gown than it is to let out.

princessleia22

QueerFemme said:

Always order at your largest measurement. So, if your bust is a size 2, your waist a size 4, and your hips in between a size 4 and 6, order the 6. 

It can depend on the style of the dress, too.  For my dress measurements, my chest measured for size 8, my waist measured between size 10-12, and my hips measured size 16. My dress is A-line with natural waist, so it's not tight in the hips at all.  The sample I tried on was a size 10 and it fit perfectly in all areas, so that's what I ordered. If I hadn't already tried on size 10 and known that it fit good, I would have at least ordered the size 12. But, if I had ordered based on the largest measurement and bought a size 16, I would have had some significant alterations to make. But if the dress is loose in the hips, you have a bit of leeway in that area if that's your largest measurement. But with a fit & flare or mermaid style that is tight in the hips, you don't have that leeway and should certainly go with the larger size to be safe. It is MUCH easier for seamstress to take a dress in than it is to let it out, and sometimes it may not even be possible to let it out if you go too small.  So when in doubt, its always best to order larger.