Wedding dress size?

There is way to guess as every designer uses a different sizing chart. Go try everything on and don’t worry about the number.

If that shop doesn’t carry anything that fits then look elsewhere.

Fellow big hipped bride here! For the dress I picked, my hips measured 2 sizes bigger than my bust and waist. 🙈. It will depend a bit on what type of cut dress you want and the designer. You need to ask the bridal shop what the measurements are on the larger sizes. And if the shop doesn’t carry your size, go find another one—it’s ok. Bridal sizes are wildly inconsistent and goofy.

Just like regular clothing wedding dress sizing isn't consistent between brands. At the boutique I went to most of the brands they carried ran 1-2 sizes smaller than typical street sizing (meaning you had to size up 1-2 sizes). My measurements are 35-28-38 and I typically wear a street size 6 straight across my measurements (usually with some gaping at the waist), but was pretty consistently a size 8 or 10 in the brands carried at that wedding dress shop. However some brands, like those carried at BHLDN or David's Bridal, run truer to a typical street size, so you may find yourself wearing the same size you would typically wear. My actual wedding dress is a label size 12 but fits most like a street size 6/8. It's ever so slightly big on me but has no stretch, and I got it preowned so I wasn't expecting a precise fit for a dress that cost 20% of retail and wasn't custom tailored to me.

Sizing up also allows you to more precisely custom fit a dress to your measurements, as its much easier to take in a dress than let it out. Typically take your largest size-equivalent measurement and buy your dress off that size and take it in elsewhere as needed. If you have bigger breasts, buy the dress to fit them and take in the waist and hips as needed, vise versa if you run small on top. Your measurements are most typical to a size 4 bust (34"), 10/12 waist (32"), and 8 hips (39") in standard street size brands so you'll likely be a size 12-14 in bridal sizes (based off your waist measurement) but it really depends on brand, style, and material; you might be an 8 you might be a 16. A-line styles with loose skirts and stretchy fabric will be more forgiving than a stiffer material in a more form fitting silhouette. For what its worth I feel like clothes always fit bigger in the waist than shown on a size chart (my mom has a 33" waist and is a size 14 according to size charts but she's swimming in anything that size and much closer to a 10/12).

Go to the boutique and see what fits. If nothing fits look elsewhere. At the boutique I went to most of the samples were way too big on me, perhaps because we live in a rural area and it isn't expected for everyone to look like models or social media influencers here. They had ample samples in larger sizes, so don't hesitate to try a shop that feels inclusive and treats you like you belong.

Those sizes will ot usually fit you. As a mater of principal, go to a shop with a wide variety that they carry in the shop. More than half of dress makers go to at least 22, many 24, a limited number higher. There is no excuse for those shops figuring they can up their inventory by requiring women to buy dresses many sizes off, when in fact they will sell you these dresses. That is lousy service. Why settle, you are making an important choice, and should not accept being treated badly.

I’m a size 10 street and wear a size 14 dress in most designer’s sizes. I can fit into a 12 in some cases although they’re snug.

My future step- daughter has similar measurements and she was able to try on bridesmaids dresses (I know bridal is a little different). She ended up with a size 12 but it is an A-line dress so it is more forgiving on her hips... I think it will depend upon what style of dress you want. Or try a bridal salon what carries larger sizes...

If you look up the size charts for some of the dress designers you’re interested in you’ll get a good idea. I’ve attached Essence of Australia’s size chart.

View Quoted Comment Thank you!

View Quoted Comment Thanks! I actually found a different shop which is more size inclusive. I really like the Essence of Australia and Stella York dresses. I’m thinking I’ll probs be a 14. Whatever the case, thanks for the input!

View Quoted Comment You’re right. I am not going to go to that boutique!

I’m a 16/18 in street clothes and a 22/24 sometimes 26 in bridal dresses. It’s wildly inconsistent. You shouldn’t have to lose weight to fit in a bridal dress. If they don’t have dresses for you, go somewhere else ♥️

My wedding dress is two sizes larger than my normal size and I think that goes for my most wedding dresses. It doesn't hurt to go and try the dresses on but don't be surprised if they're a little too small. We all plan to lose weight for the wedding but most of the time it just doesn't happen. It's very stressful and not as easy as we think it is sometimes. I would recommend going somewhere with more sizes - size 12 is still smaller than the average size of a woman.

Dress shops are used to fitting all sizes, so don't fret. I'm a street 16/18 and have had a great experience trying on dresses! sure sometimes I couldnt squeeze into one but I didnt let it get to me and my consultants were great and just saying ok next and we kept going. When making your appointments, ask! tell them your normal street size so that when you get there the consultants are prepared to show you options that they can get you into. Don't stress and have fun!

Hi there!

To be honest the best thing to do is go try on dresses / get measurements at a bridal store. I found out that wedding dresses typically run on the smaller side. I usually wear a size 4/6 in dresses and my wedding dress is a size 8 and fits me like a glove.

Good luck to you during this exciting time!