We strongly recommend having your measurements taken by a professional seamstress. Measurements should be taken in the undergarment you plan to wear with your bridal gown or bridesmaid dress. If you cannot get professional measurement, we strongly advise that you do not take the measurements yourself. Have someone help you and follow the guidelines below. Please note that Perfect Bridesmaids cannot be responsible for measurements taken outside of our salons. You are responsible for ordering the right size.

Bust Measurement

Measure the bustline at the fullest part of your chest. Stand naturally with your heels together. Let your arms rest by the side of your body. Position the tape so it covers the widest part of the back and the fullest part of your chest. Keep a thumb in the inside of the tape.

Waist Measurement

Place your hands at your natural waistline. This is where the tape should be positioned. Stand with your stomach at its natural position. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.

Hip Measurement

Stand naturally with your heels together in a relaxed posture. If you are measuring for a sheath dress, position the tape around the fullest part of your bottom. If you are measuring for an A-line dress, position the tape around the fullest part of your hip. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.

Dress Length

If you are 5'8'' or taller with the heels you plan to wear with the bridal gown or bridesmaid dress, our designers strongly recommend that you order an extra length dress. An extra length dress is typically 5'' longer than the standard length dress. Most designers charge a little more for extra length but the charges vary. When asking for a price quote, please let us know whether you need an extra length and we will give you the correct quote for your chosen designer.

Hollow-to-Hem Measurement

Hollow-to-hem is a specific length measurement used for bridal gowns only. Some designers offer the option to have a gown cut to a particular length for certain bridal gown designs. This is a difficult measurement to take. Fortunately, it is not needed for bridesmaid dresses, and only needed for a few bridal gowns. If the bridal gown you are ordering requires this measurement, we strongly recommend using a professional seamstress experienced with bridal gowns.

The hollow-to-hem measurement is taken from the depression at the base of the neck just above the collarbone to the hem. When taking this measurement, you will need to account for the fullness of an A-line or full-skirt gown by moving the tape forward away from the body, at the hem. The tape should be pulled out according to the fullness of the skirt. You will need to take the measurement with the exact heel height you will be wearing. Standard hollow-to-hem typically is 58 inches although it varies between designers.

Matching Measurements to Size

Once you have taken your measurements, see the appropriate designer's size chart under "Size Charts" on our website. These charts show how measurements are mapped to the designer sizes. It is important to note that the designers cut bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses smaller than regular sizes. Hence, you might find yourself ordering larger sizes than you usually wear. These measurements are taken to determine the closest size to be ordered. The bridal gown or bridesmaid dress is not custom made to exact measurements. Bridal gowns or bridesmaid dresses typically require final alteration. If your measurements indicate one size for the "bust" and a different size for the "waist/ and or hips", we suggest ordering according to the largest measurement. Gowns and dresses can easily be taken in if they are too large.