Wedding Blog
I ordered a size 10 bridal dress despite my street clothes size being a petite 2. In case you were going through a minor emotional trauma about your dress size, rest assured. Here’s why bridal gown sizes are not like your street clothes size.
Bridal sizing goes back to a scale established during World War II that used data intended for making uniforms, Moore [Senior vice president of merchandising and product development at retailer David's Bridal] explains. The scale also was used for ready-to-wear clothes, but over time, sportswear adapted its sizes to reflect changing body shapes, while bridal, for the most part, didn’t.
…The order is based on the woman’s largest measurement: bust, hips or waist. If her hips and waist are an 8 but her bust a 10, she gets the 10; if her bust and waist are 12 but her hips 14, she gets the 14. (Samantha Critchell, Associated Press).
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ooo what a great explanation. i was wondering why the wedding industry would want to make a bride feel “fatter” than she really is while preparing for such a special day!
I was pretty traumatized when I had to order a size 14. I wear about a size 6 in street clothes. Great explaination Miss Orange!
that explains it! Thanks for the great information!
the whole truth is that standard street sizing has changed over the years so that women feel smaller. when they feel smaller they buy more clothes…..
the bridal size is more of a true size and still more consistent with sixing in europe, where people are still predominently much thinner.
Some stores/labels are adapting to be more true to street sizes. David’s Bridal for one, and I am ordering a Maggie Sottero dress that is pretty true to my street size. Hopefully they’ll come around to the “norm” sooner or later!
I tried on my Casablanca dress in a 14, which is my street size (hey, I’m six feet tall!) and it wouldn’t zip over my 38DD boobs, but it wasn’t so bad. I’m ordering my dress today or tomorrow, and I’m hoping to only have to order a 16 and not a traumatizing (and more expensive) size 18. Or higher. Yikes!
I found this “bridal sizes run smaller” thing to be untrue when I was dress shopping. My street size is between 6 and 10 and I ended up getting a size 4 (fitted through the hip) dress! Prior to that, I was looking on ebay - I thought size 8 or 10 would work for me since they were A-line and I am smaller up top - and the 2 dresses I bought were huge on me. I had one altered down and it looked like crap so I ended up getting the 4 off the rack.
Yes, when I started trying on dresses I was pretty upset with the number size that I had to try on. I wear a size 4 petite, however, I am fully aware that I have larger upper body which is upsetting when trying to buy a dress. I ordered a size 12 from the Maggie Sottero line, because the sample fit me really good. But my measurements said that I should wear a 10, I hope the lady is right!
I will have my first fitting in about two weeks so I should be able to tell you all whether it worked or not. 
I was terrified of trying on gowns because of all the stories I hear about being “5 sizes” larger than you are used to. However, it was a pleasant surprise to find I fit into most of the size 10 samples (which is smaller than my normal size 12 pants). Seems to me wedding gown shopping is a pleasure for those of us with over endowed hips and thighs, but regular sized shoulders, busts, and waists, while it might be shocking for ladies with those lovely, slender thighs and hips (at least you get to enjoy the “skinny jean” fad, which I definitely CANNOT partake in).
My dress is a size 3-4… I’m a stick! I guess we all have something to complain about. When the next beehive somes up, I’m asking about boob cups.
I only went up one size, but it depends on the dress, and how you decide your street size.
I’m dreading doing this. I’m not ashamed of my size or of my shape. ldsgroom calls me fluffy… and yeah, that was a first for me;)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/346877753_4e960c1781_t.jpg
So here’s my laundry list of obstacles/requirements:
I’m a street size 24 in the waist
40B at top
5′2″
short waisted
round shouldered (strapless dresses look horrible on me)
I also have to contend with fact that fashions at the moment: strapless and the like, are not modest enough for the requirements of where I’m to be wed.
I’d love to find a good seamstress but I’ve had not the best luck there either.
A-Line is the way I’m going. Square neckline, hopefully something with some simple/elegant embroidery or beading.
I don’t care much about the “OMG I’m fatter” or not It’s something we all have to come to terms with on our own.
I just would like something more kind to shorter of us who happen to be on the “fluffy” side that fits and looks beautiful.
oh man thanks for explaining! i was wondering why my dress was bigger too!!!
I guess us plus size girls lucked out (at least I did) my dress was two sizes smaller than I usually wear! Thank you Maggie!
VT
I love Wren’s reply. I think that is so true. As I am in the group that would frighten small children if I wore the skinny jeans, I had a nice surprise when my dress fit at about the right size as I normally wear. I got to cover up my legs while flattering my small top.
thanks for the explanation. i was in shock when i didn’t fit a size 4 (street size) wedding dress and now my wedding dress is a size 8. my bill levkoff rehearsal dinner dress that i tried on was a size10 and would’ve only needed a few alterations but my size in comparison to the measurments said i should’ve been a 6. in the end we also ordered an 8 for that dress as well.
Good!!! I thought I was crazy when I needed a 14 and I wear a 4 in regular clothes. I had to have it altered big time because I’m flat chest.
Now I feel oh so much better! I had even lost 15 pounds (20 more to go) and was so depressed after my first round of try ons I was ready to quit. I “normally” wear a 10/12 and had to put on a 16W to get one that would zip up!
I’m not sure how I feel. I know I’m larger in the chest (36 D) and my waist isn’t super tiny, but my hips are almost non-existent and I’m a size 2-4 in jeans and 6 in tops but to think I may have to order a 10 made me cry last night! It also sucks that I am recovered from an eating disorder so as much as sizes don’t matter I have to talk myself out of analyzing my body and wanting to lose weight for the wedding all the time….why are we so obsessed with numbers?!?!??!?!
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Mrs. Orange, New York
Age and Occupation in 06: 29, Librarian
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Academic
Engagement Date: January 25, 2006
Wedding Date: March 2007
Venue: Nassau County, Long Island
About Me: Mr. Orange and I met thanks to my college friend and Mr. Orange's dad in Feb. 05. I love to eat, cook, watch Dog the Bounty Hunter, Without a Trace, L&O, and MTV Hits as well as chill with my cat Illie, work on little DIY projects for the wedding, do extensive wedding related searches on Google using my "skills." Ha-ha. We are having a 150+ ppl wedding incorporating his Jewish background and my Japanese heritage.
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