Let's get your
measurements right.
You don't need to know anything about dressmaking. Grab a soft tape measure, ask someone to help you and follow the simple steps below.
Four things before you pick up the tape.
Measure from top to bottom.
Work through these in order. Keep the tape gently against the body — secure, but never pulled tight.
Neck
Wrap the tape all the way around the neck.
Overbust
Measure around the body directly above the bust, with the tape sitting underneath the armpits.
Bust
Measure around the fullest part of the bust. Keep the tape straight across your back and relax your arms.
Underbust
Measure around the body directly underneath the bust. Keep the tape level all the way around.
Waist
Measure around your natural waist — usually the narrowest point of your middle.
Hip
Measure around your hip area, approximately midway between your waist and the fullest part of your bum.
Bum / lower hip
Measure around the fullest part of your bum. Keep the tape level all the way around.
Inside arm
Measure from your underarm down to your wrist. This is used where sleeve length is required.
Shoulder to waist
Measure from the top of your shoulder straight down to your natural waist.
14.5" — Petite
15"–16" — Standard
16.5" — Tall
Waist to floor
Put on your wedding shoes. Measure from your natural waist straight down to the floor.
42.5" and below — Petite
43"–44.5" — Standard
45" and above — Tall
Shoulder to floor — in your shoes
Measure from the top of your shoulder straight down to the floor while wearing the shoes you intend to wear at the wedding. As a useful check, this should be approximately your shoulder-to-waist + waist-to-floor measurements.
Your shoes matter.
Full-length dresses are made around both your body length and your heel height. Choose your wedding shoes before taking your length measurements.
What length would we usually expect?
Choose your barefoot height and heel height below. We'll show you an approximate shoulder-to-floor measurement to compare with the measurement you've taken.
Standard size reference.
This chart helps you understand our standard sizing. Made-to-measure dresses are created using your individually confirmed measurements.
| UK Sample Size | Bust | Waist | Hip | Bum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XSMALL 4 | 31"–32" | 23"–24" | 31"–32" | 34"–35" |
| XSMALL 6 | 33"–34" | 25"–26" | 33"–34" | 36"–37" |
| SMALL 8 | 35"–36" | 27"–29" | 35"–36" | 38"–39" |
| SMALL 10 | 37"–38" | 29"–30" | 37"–38" | 40"–41" |
| MEDIUM 12 | 39"–40" | 31"–32" | 39"–40" | 42"–43" |
| MEDIUM 14 | 41"–42" | 33"–34" | 41"–42" | 44"–45" |
| LARGE 16 | 43"–44" | 35"–36" | 43"–44" | 46"–47" |
| LARGE 18 | 45"–46" | 37"–38" | 45"–46" | 48"–49" |
| XLARGE 20 | 47"–48" | 39"–40" | 47"–49" | 50"–52" |
| XXLARGE | 49"–50" | 41"–43" | 50"–53" | 53"–54" |
I tried a showroom sample — what size was it?
Our standard showroom sample sizing is:
Our typical showroom sample length is approximately 15.5" shoulder-to-waist, 43.5"–44" waist-to-floor and 59"–59.5" shoulder-to-floor.
Measuring a child.
Children's measurements are slightly simpler. Measure the child as they are now, then consider how much time remains before the wedding when choosing the final size and length.
Remember: children grow.
We can't accurately predict how much an individual child will grow before a future wedding. Some children barely change for months; others have sudden growth spurts. We can explain your options, but the final size and length selected must be your decision.
Chest
Measure around the fullest part of the chest. Keep the tape level.
Waist
Measure around the natural waist. Gently bend to one side to find the waist crease if needed.
Hip
Measure around the fullest part of the lower body.
Shoulder to waist
Measure from the shoulder point straight down to the natural waist.
Waist to hem
Measure from the natural waist down to where you want the finished dress to end.
Shoulder to hem
Measure from the shoulder point down to the desired finished hem. This should approximately equal shoulder-to-waist + waist-to-hem.
Standard size reference.
Age is only a starting point. Always compare the child's actual measurements with the chart.
| Age | Chest | Waist | Hip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–3 | 21.5" | 20.5" | 22.5" |
| 3–4 | 22" | 21" | 23.5" |
| 4–5 | 23" | 21.5" | 24" |
| 5–6 | 23.5" | 22" | 24.5" |
| 6–7 | 24.5" | 22.5" | 26" |
| 7–8 | 25.5" | 23" | 27" |
| 8–9 | 27" | 23.5" | 29" |
| 9–10 | 28" | 24" | 30" |
| 10–11 | 29" | 24.5" | 31" |
| 11–12 | 30" | 25" | 32" |
| 12–13 | 31" | 25.5" | 33" |
| 13–14 | 32" | 26" | 34" |
Measuring FAQs.
You don't need to read these before measuring. They're here if a question applies to you.
When do measurements need to be submitted?
All orders and complete measurements must be confirmed no later than 22 weeks before the wedding date.
Production can only begin once all required measurements for the bridal party have been confirmed.
Who is responsible for checking my measurements?
We provide measuring instructions, guidance and support, but the measurements and sizing choices confirmed for an order need to be checked carefully by the customer before they are submitted for production.
What if my measurements don't match one standard size?
That's completely normal. Made-to-measure dresses are created using the individual measurements confirmed for the bridesmaid, rather than requiring her body to fit neatly into one standard size.
Do Bridesmaid by JB fabrics stretch?
Yes. Our core fabrics have natural stretch and provide some tolerance for small fluctuations.
Stretch doesn't replace the need for accurate measurements and can't compensate for substantial body changes after measurements have been confirmed.
What if my body changes after I submit my measurements?
Your dress is handmade using the measurements confirmed for production. If those body measurements later change, the way the finished dress fits may also change.
Where alterations are required because measurements have changed afterwards, those alterations may be chargeable.
What if I change my wedding shoes?
Changing heel height changes where a full-length dress sits. A lower heel will make the dress sit longer and a higher heel will make it sit shorter.
Please speak to us before changing your planned heel height once your measurements have been confirmed.
Can Bridesmaid by JB measure me in the showroom?
Measurements can be taken during eligible showroom appointments with our team.
Please bring footwear matching the heel height you intend to wear at the wedding.
What should I consider when measuring a child?
Children can grow quickly and unpredictably, so measurements taken today cannot guarantee what their measurements will be closer to the wedding.
Consider the time remaining until the wedding, your child's own growth pattern and whether some growing room may be appropriate. Our team can explain your options, but the final size and length selected remains the parent or customer's decision.
What if I'm pregnant or expect my measurements to change?
Please speak to our team before confirming your measurements. We can explain the available styles, timing and possible options before your dress enters production.
Check once. Then submit.
Before submitting, quickly re-check your measurements, make sure your length was taken in your intended heel height and only confirm them once you're happy they're correct.