order dress size smaller

hipannie

hi there, i am in the process of losing weight and getting in shape for myself but also for the wedding. my wedding in next year sept and i hope to buy my dress in dec when i go home to see my parents.

in 9 months, i know i will probably lose more weight. should i order my dress a size smaller in case i lose so much weight that they cannot take it in? should i wait till 3 months before the wedding to buy my dress when i stabilize my weight loss?

thank you

willywally5

I'd wait as long as you could and still get the dress here in time for alterations. You might keep losing and that would be wonderful, but it's possible you could hit a plateau. You can almost always take a dress IN, but you can't always let it OUT enough. I'm not trying to be a negative Nelly, it's just that it would suck and be stressful if you hit a plateau or for some unforeseen resaon (illness, injury) weren't able to keep up with workouts and gaine a bit back. Waiting until the deadline to get the gown here in time for alterations allows you to order it small enough that it won't likely require a total re-make of spendy alterations but also allows you to stabilize and maintain for as long as possible before ordering. And CONGRATS on your loss ... it's TOUGH to do and I admire your dedication!

sunshineinne

I had the same issue.  I kept reading (and the bridal shop told me) that you must order the dress 8 months out.  The dress I chose had lace appliques which they told me would make it difficult to take in more than an inch or so.  What eventually happened was that the saleslady called Casablanca (who makes my gown) and asked them what the latest date was that we could order the gown and still have it in in time.  Turns out, it bought me another 2 months to try and lose more weight before ordering it.  I'm so glad I took that time. 
I would ask the seamstress at the shop exactly how much she thinks your particular dress can be taken in without altering the structure of the dress and also have them call and see how much time you have before you need to order it (don't forget to leave at least 6-8 weeks for alterations).

Lobsters25

Ditto to sunshine - it depends on the dress.

Ask the shop how much room there is to take in the dress while keeping it's integrity, and go based on that.  If you've had difficulty losing weight in the past, though, and are a stress eater or anything of the sort, I would not recommend ordering smaller.

Personally, I ended up not ordering a size smaller but fell in love with a lace up back dress, which gave us lots of freedom in the +/- 5 lbs area.

reggiesmommy

I had the same issue hipannie - I was already started on my weight-loss journey, and KNEW I was going to lose weight.  My mother, and the seamstress both encouraged me to order in my existing size, reassuring me that it could be taken in quite a bit without affecting the integrity of the dress.  At my first fitting, the dress FELL off of me - it had to be taken in almost 5 inches.  The seamstress was shocked - she said every bride walking through her door intends on losing weight, but most don't.  She was able to alter the dress beautifully, and I just had my second fitting this past weekend and it fit like a glove.  I go back in a month for either my final or second-to-final fitting, depending on whether I lose more inches.  

I am glad that I ordered it in the size I was in back in November, because I didn't put unnecessary pressure on myself.

I encourage you to wait as long as you can, keep kicking butt at fitness/diet, and look for a REALLY good seamstress who can advise you on your dress & any limitations that might exist on altering it.  

erbear84

My dress is a half-inch smaller in the waist measurement but bigger in the hips/bust.  You don't really want to go smaller and I know some dress shops make you sign a paper that states they're not responsible if you don't order a dress that fits your body at the time of order.  Like PPs have said, it's easier to take it in than let it out!

klminor17

My consultant told me that it also depends on the size of your rib cage. For me, I have been bascially the same size my whole life in that area/chest area. I ordered mine in September 2011 for my June 2012 wedding and am almost done with alterations. They have taken it in quite a bit as I lost weight, and I was happy to not have to try and worry if I could squeeze into it. Unless you are going to lose BIG time weight, you should be fine!

Starqueg

You  never know what could happen between now and then.  If you order your dress a size smaller than you are now, and you don't lose the weight, will you be able to let it out or will you have to get a new dress?  If it's the latter, don't order the smaller size.

CH11

Wait as long as you can before ordering your dress! Some shops need about 6 months for the dress to come in, while others have it 3 months before. Check with your shop.

That being said, do NOT buy for the size you want to be. Buy for the size you are and go in for several fittings as you lose weight. Remember, the dress can always be altered to fit your body. That's what those amazing tailors are for! But, you can't easily add more fabric back on when you realize you ordered too small of a dress. 

CH11

Wait as long as you can before ordering your dress! Some shops need about 6 months for the dress to come in, while others have it 3 months before. Check with your shop.

That being said, do NOT buy for the size you want to be. Buy for the size you are and go in for several fittings as you lose weight. Remember, the dress can always be altered to fit your body. That's what those amazing tailors are for! But, you can't easily add more fabric back on when you realize you ordered too small of a dress.