How to Measure Yourself for the Perfect Dress Fit

Nothing ruins the excitement of a new dress faster than it arriving and not fitting right. The good news: getting an accurate fit takes less than five minutes with a soft measuring tape and a mirror. Here's exactly how to measure yourself for the perfect dress fit, every time.

What You'll Need

A soft (fabric) measuring tape, a mirror, and ideally a friend to help — measuring your own back and shoulders accurately alone is tricky. Wear close-fitting clothing or your usual undergarments while measuring, not bulky layers.

1. Bust

Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust, keeping it level and snug but not tight. Breathe normally and read the measurement without sucking in.

2. Waist

Find your natural waistline — the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above your belly button. Wrap the tape around, keeping it parallel to the floor.

3. Hips

Measure around the fullest part of your hips and bottom, roughly 7-9 inches below your natural waist. This is often the measurement people get wrong by measuring too high.

4. Compare to the Size Chart — Not Your Usual Size

Every brand fits differently, and that includes us. Before choosing a size, compare your actual measurements to the specific size chart on the product page rather than assuming your "usual" size in other stores will match. This single step prevents the vast majority of fit-related returns.

5. When You're Between Sizes

For fitted styles like our bodycon dresses, size up if you're between two sizes — a bodycon dress should hug, not squeeze. For looser, relaxed styles like our tops, sizing down slightly is usually safer if you prefer a more fitted look.

A Few Extra Tips

• Measure twice. A quick second pass helps catch a tape that slipped or wasn't level.
• Note your measurements somewhere handy. Bodies change gradually, but having your numbers on hand makes every future order faster and more accurate.
• When in doubt, check reviews. Customer reviews on the product page often mention whether a style runs small, large, or true to size — useful extra context beyond the size chart alone.

Taking five minutes to measure properly means fewer returns, less guesswork, and a dress that fits the way it's supposed to the first time. Shop Dresses or browse the full catalog once you've got your numbers.