How to Measure for a Formal Gown
- 1). Have a professional seamstress or dressmaker take your measurements. If you take your own, they probably will not be accurate.
- 2). Wear shoes with a heel similar to what you plan to wear on the day of your event. Also wear the bra you plan to wear if possible.
- 3). Relax your arms by your side. Take the measuring tape around your back and bring it across your nipple line, which is the fullest part of your breast, to measure your bust size.
- 4). Wrap the tape around the smallest part of your waist to get your waist measurement. This should be about an inch above your belly button.
- 5). Stand with your feet together. Measure the widest part of your hips across the hip bone to find your hip measurement. If you're 5 feet 3 inches or shorter, this area will be about 6 inches below your waistline. If you're 5 feet 4 inches or taller, this will be about 7 inches below your waistline.
- 6). Measure the distance from the base of your neck down to where you want the hem of your dress to be to find your "hollow to hem" measurement. If your dress skirt is full, measure out at an angle to accommodate the fullness.
- 7). Straighten your arms. Place the start of the measuring tape in your armpit and measure to your wrist for sleeve length. For sleeve girth, relax your arm and measure around the fullest part of your upper arm.
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