myth about gown sizes?

Original post by LovelyL

Jul 11, 2004 10:13 PM

I have always heard that wedding dresses run really small. That seemed reasonable to me because I've usually been a size or two bigger when buying other formal dresses.

Well, I tried on some dresses today. This was my first time going, and I only tried two on. But the first one I tried on was one size bigger than my regular clothes size and was a little too big. Then the second dress I put on was my regular clothes size and it fit right. The gowns were by different designers.....

So is the small sizing a myth or was my experience today just a coincidence?

ChristineC68 Posted: Jul 12, 2004 09:06 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

You also have to keep in mind that the samples in the stores are usually a little stretched from brides trying them on and being clipped.

Niecey Posted: Jul 12, 2004 09:21 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

Posted by LovelyL

I have always heard that wedding dresses run really small. That seemed reasonable to me because I've usually been a size or two bigger when buying other formal dresses.

Well, I tried on some dresses today. This was my first time going, and I only tried two on. But the first one I tried on was one size bigger than my regular clothes size and was a little too big. Then the second dress I put on was my regular clothes size and it fit right. The gowns were by different designers.....

So is the small sizing a myth or was my experience today just a coincidence?

I totally think that it depends on the mfg. Most store samples that were 10/12's were really huge on me - needed many binder clips to keep it on ....really big. I would have needed close to my actual size. I am normally a 6 and then I found my dress and it fit practically perfectly and it was a 10 - so go figure...

Also, BM dresses - my measurements always put me in a size 10 dress and I fight with the stores to order an 8 and even that is always too big...finally I got a place to order me the 6 and that was too big - I have even worn about 4-5 different mfg's - - -so I think those sizing charts are often crazy...

tourist Posted: Jul 12, 2004 09:55 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

It depends on the manufacturer, but also, samples get REALLY stretched out, even a whole size bigger.

Boop2704 Posted: Jul 12, 2004 10:00 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

I'm usually...well I'm not going to say..Hee Hee. But I had to order my dress two sizes smaller than what I actually wear. It was such a GREAT feeling. It depends on the designer!!

patti08 Posted: Jul 12, 2004 10:05 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

Posted by Anniegrl

I was told that in the bridal industry, sizing remains true to the way sizes ran years ago. What used to be a 6 is now a much, much smaller size (in normal clothes).
My normal dress size is a 0 but my wedding gown was an 8!! (I actually could've ordered a 6 but it was on the borderline on the size chart).

This is true - as Americans have 'supersized' and now a majority of Americans are overweight many clothing manufacturers have changed the scale of clothing sizes. I just saw a show about it. A size 8 in the 1970's had a 2 inch smaller waiste than it does now. The designers wanted buyers especially women to continue to buy their clothes so they have been gradually making them bigger.

Also some wedding designers have their own scale.

Just look at it as if the dress fits the dress fits. If you are comfortable with how you look it shouldn't matter what number is on the tag inside and if it does, have your seamstress remove it.

eogara Posted: Jul 12, 2004 10:26 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

I'm either a 0 or a 2 in regular clothes. My wedding gown will probably be ordered in a 4 or 6.

Jordan Posted: Jul 12, 2004 10:31 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

I think it depends on designer - I wear a size 0/2 in dresses and my wedding gown was ordered in a size 2.

FeliciaDA Posted: Jul 12, 2004 10:40 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

I ordered my gown online, so I basically didn't get pushed into ordering a bigger size at the salon.

I was about a size 10-11 when I ordered but was already starting to lose weight, so I just ordered the 10 in the anticipation I'd be down a few sizes by the time it came in (acording to the charts I probably should have ordered a 14 at that point)

When I received the gown in the 10, it fit practically perfect and needed few alterations, since by then I was wearing between a 6-8. However I've lost a bit more weight since fitting began and it actually got BIG on me (the corset back really helped with that!)

Generally speaking, though, my dress was pretty true to size.. only @one size larger than what you typically wear.

BMD'sPeanut Posted: Jul 12, 2004 10:43 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

I'm usually a 4/6 in clothes...but my gown was ordered in an 8. (mon cheri)

nferrandi Posted: Jul 12, 2004 10:51 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

I'm about a 6 in regular clothes and they ordered me an 8. I was/am actually nervous that they may have ordered it too small, so I've lost some weight since it was ordered. I don't care what the number says, as long as the dress fits as it's supposed to.

aimerliny Posted: Jul 12, 2004 11:04 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

I think it depends on the designer. For example, I found Alfred Angelo to be true to size.

marymoon Posted: Jul 12, 2004 11:14 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

My experience in getting dresses for my sister's wedding is that it deends on the deigner. European sizing is about 3 sizes smaller, usually. That was our experience with the gowns for my sister's wedding. All of the sizes were 12's! I didn't even want to LOOK at the size of my dress, b/c I'm above a 12 as it is! But the occasiona dresses I have , like form jessica mcclintock were true to my normal size.

cluelessbride Posted: Jul 12, 2004 11:16 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

Some gowns that I tried on were my size, some close, some way over. As others have said, I think it depends on the designer. I don't think that it is a myth.

nehaliasz Posted: Jul 13, 2004 12:21 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

I don't know. I'm really annoyed about this. I ordered my gown, and the salon said I measured to a size 10 which was the same size as the sample. Fine since I wasn't bothered by the number, but the sample was too big. I mentioned that, and the sales woman said that the samples get stretched out. Okay, so I come back here to CA and decided to try the gown on here to show a friend, and I asked what size I would order it in (I didn't let on that I already ordered it in NY). The girl said that according to my measurments and the Maggie Sottero measurment guide, I'd order a size 6!! So now I'm totally po'd, and I called the salon and asked if I could change the order (it was a month and a half after I ordered it, but still 16 months before the wedding) and they said no and that alterations can be done. How crazy is that? They were talking as if all gowns come one size fits all and alterations are done to make it fit. I don't know what I'm going to do when the gown comes in too big. I'll still have time to order another gown, but do you think they'll let me? I know they need to make their money, but I think its a little ridiculous!

heidla Posted: Jul 13, 2004 12:32 AM

Re: myth about gown sizes?

Posted by MrsKinMay05

I wear a 5/6 or kids xxl, lol. I have to order my gown in a 10. The 8 'fit' but I could not breathe..the 10 has to be taken in.

That is the same for me. The 8 was fine in the waist (hips did not really matter because of the line of the dress), but my boobs were smushed.