Measurements

When they order your dress, it should be ordered based on your largest measurement because dresses can easily be taken in, but most can’t be taken out. Since your hips measured at a 16, that’s what should be ordered. The dresses in store have all been tried on and stretched out but that wouldn’t be true of a new dress. If you’ve lost a significant amount of inches since getting measured, have them measure you again before placing the order.

The sample dress will have been stretched out from people trying it on. They're likely going by a chart provided by the dressmaker. Can you see if you can find the sizing chart of the dressmaker? It is generally recommended to go by a larger measurement, because the dress will be more easily taken in thann let out (some dressmakers don't include much extra in the seams to let it out.

View Quoted Comment I found the designers chart and my bust and waist measure between a 12/14. The hips are a 16. My dress flares out at my waist. I'll attach a photo.

View Quoted Comment

Then you need the 16 - it will be *significantly* easier for them to take in the top than to let out the hips. I realize it's A-line, but it will flow funny if it's "too small" at the hip.

If you buy a 12/14 and your hips can't fit into it they can't make the dress bigger. If you buy a 16 and can make the bust smaller so your chest can get into it.

View Quoted Comment I think my main concern is that I'll lose some of the detailing on the bust area if it needs to be taken in 2 or more sizes.

View Quoted Comment

I believe they would take-in on the sides (were your armpit is) or at the back. Watch a YouTube video on how they take in wedding dresses.

View Quoted Comment The sides are open see-through mesh.

View Quoted Comment

Oooo I see now.....then they might take it in from the back of the dress so they don't take from the mesh.

View Quoted Comment
That's another issue lol. No back either. This is why I'm freaking out a little.

View Quoted Comment

LMAO Oh wow... okay. My best advice is to take these pictures to your seamstress and get her opinion so you both know what the best solution is. They would know how and where to take it in.

I usually wear a 0 or 00 in most dresses and they ordered my dress in a uk size 8 based on my measurements. It came in a few weeks ago and it fits perfectly (only need a hem & bustle)! I would listen to them and go with the size based on your measurements, even if the dress size is higher than your normal size. The number size isn’t relevant if it fits well

View Quoted Comment Lol see told you I had problems 🤣 🤣 🤣

I worked in bridal for three and half years. For an A-line gown like the one in the pictures, you should absolutely be able to cheat the hip measurement and get a 14. The other commentators are right that typically, you want to order based on the biggest measurement, but in the case of a ball gown or a-line, it doesn’t matter as much. If your hips were 3 or 4 sizes bigger than your bust, than maybe a sixteen would be appropriate, but I honestly don’t expect a 14 to be a problem. Even if the sample 12 was stretched out, it doesn’t look at all tight in the hips. I have a ball gown in a size 6 that fits me great before alterations, even though my hips are a size 10.

View Quoted Comment The inner most layer they are removing anyways because they are adding a shimmer layer. So the smallest layer on the inside will be gone.

View Quoted Comment They’re taking the lining out? That would be a fairly unusual alteration- typically to add shimmer another layer of tulle with sparkles would be added somewhere between the existing layers.

View Quoted Comment The krinolin layer is being removed to lower the volume. The shimmer layer is going to be added right under the top tulle.

View Quoted Comment Oh taking the crinoline out makes perfect sense. I understand now. Yep, that pretty standard alteration practice. I still don’t see why they think a 16 is necessary.

View Quoted Comment I swear I think it's because they want to charge me a bunch of money to alter it down 2 sizes.

View Quoted Comment If you have a contract with them, I would check it to make sure that it doesn’t require you to use in house alterations as part of the contract- I’ve heard of places that do that