Sizing Charts
Each design house has slight differences in its sizing — two gowns labelled the same size can differ by an inch or more at the bust. So before falling in love with a number, take your own measurements and compare them against the maker's own chart. The table below shows typical bridal measurements as a starting point; your stylist or seamstress will always confirm against the specific designer's block.
Typical Bridal Size Chart
| UK Size | US Size | EU Size | Bust (in / cm) | Waist (in / cm) | Hips (in / cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 34 | 32½ / 82.5 | 25 / 63.5 | 35½ / 90 |
| 8 | 4 | 36 | 33½ / 85 | 26 / 66 | 36½ / 92.5 |
| 10 | 6 | 38 | 34½ / 87.5 | 27 / 68.5 | 37½ / 95 |
| 12 | 8 | 40 | 36 / 91.5 | 28½ / 72.5 | 39 / 99 |
| 14 | 10 | 42 | 37½ / 95 | 30 / 76 | 40½ / 103 |
| 16 | 12 | 44 | 39 / 99 | 31½ / 80 | 42 / 106.5 |
| 18 | 14 | 46 | 41 / 104 | 33½ / 85 | 44 / 111.5 |
| 20 | 16 | 48 | 43 / 109 | 35½ / 90 | 46 / 117 |
| 22 | 18 | 50 | 45 / 114.5 | 37½ / 95 | 48 / 122 |
| 24 | 20 | 52 | 47 / 119.5 | 39½ / 100.5 | 50 / 127 |
| 26 | 22 | 54 | 49 / 124.5 | 41½ / 105.5 | 52 / 132 |
| 28 | 24 | 56 | 51 / 129.5 | 43½ / 110.5 | 54 / 137 |
| 30 | 26 | 58 | 53 / 134.5 | 45½ / 115.5 | 56 / 142 |
Measurements are indicative. Always defer to the individual designer's chart — and remember most gowns carry 1–2 inches of seam allowance for letting out.
How to Take Your Measurements
- Bust: around the fullest part of the bust, under the arms, around the back. Snug, never tight.
- Waist: the smallest part of your natural waist — roughly halfway between hips and bust, not at the top of your trousers.
- Hips: the fullest point around the bottom and thighs.
- Hollow-to-hem (length): from the hollow of the collarbone straight to the floor, plus your heel height.
Wear the underpinnings you intend to wear on the day, stand naturally, and have someone else hold the tape — self-measuring distorts the waist and length. Garment measurement methodology is standardised internationally in ASTM body-measurement standards, which is exactly why a careful tape measure beats guesswork every time.
Choosing Between Sizes
If your measurements span two sizes — and most people's do — the convention is to choose the larger of the sizes indicated by your bust and waist, because taking a gown in is far easier than letting it out. For structured A-lines and ballgowns, hips matter least; for fit-and-flare and column gowns, weight all three measurements equally. The full reasoning is in Sizing is just a number, and the alteration limits are covered in our off-the-rack guide.
Communion families: the same principles apply to children's occasion wear — see the sizing notes on our Communions page.
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