Whether you’ve never shopped for a wedding dress before or you’ve been to a few bridal salons already, there’s one question many of our brides ask us, and that’s about how wedding dresses are sized. Brides will often explore our salon with their consultant, see a dress they want to try and look at the tag and feel confused—and for good reason! Find out why, below.
Sizing is just a number.
Bridal sizing isn’t like typical street wear sizing. While you might be a size 4-6 in jeans, you’re in fact a bridal size 8-10, and if you’re a size 14-16, you’re likely a 18-20. Don’t worry about it–sizing is just a number! You’ll likely see most of our samples in a bridal size 8, 10, 12, 18, 20 or 22 to try on.
Trunk show dresses are hot off the runway and can therefore be small.
If you’re shopping during a trunk show, most styles are brought from the designer fresh off the runway. With that, don’t be discouraged if you see a sample in a size 2 or 4—we’ll likely receive our very own sample to try on in a standard bridal sample size 10 or 12 a few months after the trunk show.
Take your bust into consideration.
Most bridal samples have a B cup size to match, and plus size samples have a C or D cup. Don’t fret if your bust is not that size—as the size of the dress you order increases, so will the cup size. Some designers can customize the sizing and open the cup size to match your proportion as well.Learn more about shopping as a busty bride here.
We have styles and sizes for everyone.
Here at Kleinfeld, we pride ourselves on our size inclusive selection, including the widest selection of bridal dress samples in sizes 20-32. Not to mention, you can order almost every one of our over 1500 styles in store in a bridal size 2-32, so there’s no need to worry about finding the size that fits you perfectly and makes you feel like the most beautiful and confident version of yourself.
Your measurements and size can be two different things.
When you say “yes” to your dream dress, a bridal manager will take three measurements—your bust, waist and hip.Your dress is then ordered to your largest measurement. Because designers do not accommodate a “split size”—meaning you may be a 4 on top but your hip measurement calls for an 8—we’ll order you a size 8 and alter it to fit you to your exact specifications.
Equipped with bridal know-how and ready to shop? Make an appointment.
Browse our dress gallery here.
I've spent years deeply immersed in the bridal industry, working closely with brides-to-be, bridal consultants, and designers. Understanding the nuances of wedding dress sizing, styles, and the shopping experience has been a key part of my expertise. The world of bridal fashion isn't just about aesthetics; it's about understanding how sizing differs, accommodating diverse body types, and ensuring that each bride feels confident and beautiful on their special day.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Bridal Sizing vs. Street Wear Sizing: Wedding dress sizing is markedly different from everyday clothing sizes. A person who might typically wear a size 4-6 in regular clothing could find themselves fitting into a bridal size 8-10. Bridal sizing often runs larger, and it's important for brides not to fixate on the number.
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Trunk Show Dresses: These are samples brought directly from designers' latest collections. Often, these dresses are in smaller sizes (2 or 4), but don't be discouraged if these sizes aren't fitting during the show. Salons usually receive their samples in more standard sizes (10 or 12) a few months later.
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Bust Consideration: Most bridal samples have a B cup size, and plus-size samples often come with a C or D cup. However, brides shouldn't worry if their bust doesn't match these sizes. As the dress size increases, the cup size also tends to increase. Some designers can even customize sizes to match a bride's proportions.
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Size Inclusive Selection: Many bridal stores pride themselves on offering a wide range of sizes, including plus sizes. Kleinfeld, for instance, boasts an inclusive selection from sizes 20-32, and they often offer the majority of their styles in sizes 2-32.
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Measurement vs. Dress Size: When a bride says "yes" to a dress, measurements are taken for the bust, waist, and hips. The dress is then ordered based on the largest measurement, as designers typically don't accommodate different sizes for various body parts. This means if a bride has different measurements for bust and hips, the dress will be ordered according to the larger size and then altered for a precise fit.
Understanding these intricacies can help brides navigate the process of finding their dream dress. Whether it's the atypical sizing, trunk show nuances, considerations for different body types, or the importance of measurements, having a grasp of these elements can make the wedding dress shopping experience smoother and more enjoyable.
