The majority of wedding and special event apparel is special order merchandise. This means the dress a customer orders is made by the designer according to the color and size the customer selects. The dress is not pre-made.

Designers provide retailers a size chart to determine the size to order for the customer. We post these size charts online with each designer collection. Size charts show the specific measurements and sizes a designer offers for their styles. Sizes run differently between special order merchandise and clothing you find in department stores. Sizes and measurements also run differently between designers. Because all apparel is not made according to one size chart, a person can fit in multiple sizes for different designers.

To select the size to order, designers suggest comparing your measurements to their chart. Check the size each measurement fits in. If you are falling between sizes, consider the style you’re ordering. Is it an empire waist? Is it fitted through the hips? A general rule is to accommodate for the largest measurement to ensure the fit on that party of your body.

Keep in mind the dress is not custom-made to your specific measurements. Because you’re selecting the size that best compares to your measurements, some kind of alterations will likely be needed. The dress may fit your bust perfectly but fit too big in the waist. Very few customers will not need any alterations. 

Eva Buziecki's Bits: House of Brides salons are staffed with expert seamstresses professionally trained in wedding and special event apparel. Our Alterations Departments also fit customers who have purchased on our website! Contact the House of Brides salon nearest you to arrange for your fitting appointment!