Having sold hundreds of designer dresses, I understand that one of a buyer's first concerns is whether or not a garment will fit. One of the most common sources of confusion in determining a size is the difference between a size chart, and what I call the 'garment measurements.'
You should use both a size chart, and the garment measurements to help you decide if the dress will fit. I'm going to outline the steps for this because I am a nerdy law student, and that's how we explain things:
I. Size Charts: Every designer has what's called a 'size chart,' which is specific to her designs. The size chart which will list each size the designer offers, and the measurements of a body which will fit in to each size she makes.
A. Determine your body measurements by standing in front of a mirror in only your skivies (ie the bra and underwear you're most likely to wear with the dress you want to buy).
1. Wrap a tape measure around your bustline over the widest part of your bustline (if you plan to go bra-less, this means you want the tape measure to cover your nipples). This is your bust measurement
2. Now let the tape measure drop to the skinniest part of your frame, usually right around your belly button. This is your natural waist measurement.
3. Again, wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your "hips" which is usually not your hips at all but actually your bum. This is your 'hip' measurement.
B. Compare your own measurements with the size chart, and decide which size best corresponds to your measurements.2. Now let the tape measure drop to the skinniest part of your frame, usually right around your belly button. This is your natural waist measurement.
3. Again, wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your "hips" which is usually not your hips at all but actually your bum. This is your 'hip' measurement.
II. Garment Measurements: These are taken when a garment is laid on a flat surface, and the measurements of the actual garment are taken (and multiplied by 2, which implies what the garment measures around). This is different than a size chart because it measures the garment and not your body. These can be helpful, too, and you can use them by comparing them with the measurements of some dress which you already own and feel comfortable in.
A. Collect a few of your favorite dresses, long and short, strapless and sleeved. Get a good variety and make sure you have at least one which has a similar neckline and fabric content to the dress you're interested in buying. Lay the dresses flat on top of your bed (or a table).
1. The 'bust' measurement of your garment is typically the width of a dress from underarm to underarm.
2. The waist measurement is the skinniest part of the dress.
3. The hip measurement is the widest part of the dress, around where your bum would go.
B. Compare the measurements of your dresses to the measurements of the dress you want to buy.2. The waist measurement is the skinniest part of the dress.
3. The hip measurement is the widest part of the dress, around where your bum would go.
1. How do they compare?
2. Also consider the fabric content-- if the dress you wish to buy is very stretchy, then the garment measurements may seem super small-- because the garment is intended to stretch.
2. Also consider the fabric content-- if the dress you wish to buy is very stretchy, then the garment measurements may seem super small-- because the garment is intended to stretch.
III. Mannequin Measurements: In my guide which helps ebay users buy designer dresses on ebay, I encourage buyers to look for dresses which are modeled either on a mannequin or on a body. A seller who is asking $200+ dollars for a dress should, at the very least, provide a size chart (if there is one available), the garment measurements, and the measurements of the mannequin or model who is modeling the dress. This can be helpful as well.
Ebay's guide system does not allow me to post large-sized photos, so I cannot post the few size charts and size conversions I have. If you would like to see them, please feel free to visit my ebay 'Will It Fit?' guide by clicking here.
As always, feel free to peruse my Nicole Miller dresses by clicking here, my Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein Collection dresses by clicking here, my French and Italian designer dresses by clicking here , or visit my store, Mondaine Sample Sale, by clicking here.
Curious? Learn more about me by clicking here.
)