UNDERSTANDING WEDDING DRESS SIZING: STAYING POSITIVE AMIDST THE NUMBERS
- BoChic Bridal Boutique
- Dec 29, 2025
- 4 min read
Choosing a wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding. Yet, many brides find themselves discouraged when they see the size numbers on dresses. These numbers can feel like a judgment or a barrier, but they don’t define your beauty or how stunning you will look on your special day. Understanding how wedding dress sizing works and learning to focus beyond the numbers can help you enjoy the process and find the perfect dress with confidence.
Why Wedding Dress Sizes Can Be Confusing
Wedding dress sizes often differ from regular clothing sizes. A size 8 in everyday wear might not fit the same as a size 8 wedding dress. This happens because bridal gowns are designed with different fabrics, structures, and fits in mind. For example, many wedding dresses have built-in corsets, boning, or layers that affect how the dress fits your body.
Additionally, sizing varies between designers and brands. One designer’s size 10 might be another’s size 6. This inconsistency can make it hard to rely on the number alone when shopping.
How to Approach Wedding Dress Sizing Without Stress
Focus on Fit, Not the Number
The most important thing is how the dress fits your body, not the size tag. When you try on dresses, pay attention to comfort, how the dress shapes your silhouette, and how you feel wearing it. A dress that fits well and makes you feel beautiful is the right dress, regardless of the size on the label.
Use Measurements as a Guide
Instead of focusing on dress sizes, use your body measurements to guide your choices. Measure your bust, waist, and hips accurately, and share these with your bridal consultant or seamstress. This helps find dresses that will fit better from the start.
Remember Alterations Are Standard
Almost every wedding dress needs some alterations. Even if a dress doesn’t fit perfectly off the rack, a skilled tailor can adjust it to fit your body perfectly. This means the size you buy is just a starting point.
Practical Tips for Trying on Wedding Dresses
Wear the right undergarments: Bring a strapless bra or shapewear similar to what you plan to wear on your wedding day. This gives a more accurate fit.
Bring shoes with the heel height you’ll wear: This affects the length and fit of the dress.
Keep an open mind: Try on different styles and sizes. Sometimes a dress that looks good on the hanger feels different on your body.
Take photos: Pictures help you remember how each dress looks and feels, especially when sizes vary.
Stories from Brides Who Overcame Size Anxiety
Many brides share how they felt discouraged by dress sizes at first. One bride found her dream dress in a size larger than she expected. She worried about how it would look but loved the style and comfort. After alterations, the dress fit her perfectly, and she felt confident walking down the aisle.
Another bride tried on several dresses in smaller sizes but felt uncomfortable. When she switched to a size that fit her body better, she noticed how much more relaxed and happy she felt. The number didn’t matter; the fit and how she felt did.
Why You Should Celebrate Your Unique Shape
Wedding dresses are made to celebrate all body types. Designers create gowns for curves, petite frames, tall figures, and everything in between. Your size is just a number, but your shape is unique and beautiful. Embracing your body helps you choose a dress that highlights your best features and makes you shine.
Final Thoughts on Wedding Dress Sizing
Remember that understanding how wedding dress sizing works and learning to focus beyond the numbers can help you enjoy the process and find the perfect dress with confidence! Wedding dress shopping is an incredibly special part of wedding planning and no matter where you fall on a size chart you can and deserve to feel beautiful and confident on your wedding day! The number doesn't matter, what matters is that you say "YES!" to a dress that invokes all of the wonderful ways you want to feel on that big day.
We hope that this information is helpful to anyone that is going to be embarking on the journey of wedding dress shopping in the future! Here at BoChic Bridal Boutique we look to celebrate everyone’s uniqueness and empower those we work with! Our consultants listen, learn and guide so brides can trust the dress they say "YES!" to will be one that they look absolutely beautiful in, feel like themselves in, and weren't pressured into buying. More information about our boutique is able to be found on our website where we post other blogs and have in-depth insight to the customer experience. Make sure to follow us on all of our social media as well such as instagram, tiktok and pinterest. Book your appointment with us now if you are ready to say "YES!" to your dream dress!
Comments