What Size Do Wedding Dresses Go Up to
What size wedding dress (when between sizes)?
So I think I know what dress I want to order. I have gone twice to try it on, and the first consultant said to order the same size as the sample, after we played with it for a bit and discussed.
However, the second consultant said to order one size up (and acted shocked that I would be able to even fit the sample size before I tried it on - actually she was pretty awful).
I think the conventional wisdom is to order the bigger size, but this is a dress I would wear without a bra, so I need it to be tight enough to hold the girls in. The sample size, however, *is* a bit tight. Dropping 5-10 pounds would make it fit perfectly, and I intend to do so... but just in case I don't...?
Please share your stories on what size you ordered! 
35 Comments
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Source: https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/what-size-wedding-dress-when-between-sizes/f5b9cc35d70f0a0d.html
Master May 2017
I was in between sizes so I went up to next size.
Master August 2017
I was also between two sizes and ordered the bigger size. It's a lot easier to take a dress in than to let it out.
Master October 2017
You can take a dress in, you can't always let one out
Super January 2017
I say order up. The sample sizes get stretched out, it happened with me. The sample fit perfectly, then my dress comes in and it's snug. So now I'm paying for more alterations.
Master March 2017
Linds ·
Learn from my tragic dress story:
For my best friend's wedding, I went to try on dresses - and after picking one- the sample fit perfectly - so they sales team ordered that size. Between ordering and the dress arriving - I lost about 12 pounds. I was so happy I was feeling healthy and had lost weight - however the dress DID NOT FIT - I COULD NOT ZIP IT - and yes - that deserves yelling...
I had to have the entire dress disassembled, at every seam, and put back together so I could zip it up for the wedding. I would rather go by the size I am now than try to feel good and buy a smaller size.
It is MUCH easier to bring a dress in than take a dress out.
ETA: Sample dresses stretch quite a bit - the sample in my bridal dress zipped and was perfect - we ordered 1 size bigger based on my size - and it is snug!
VIP March 2017
Michelle ·
Samples also tend to stretch out because of all the use. I would go up
Master March 2017
BecomingKrueger ·
Go up a size. You can alter it to fit you. You can't always let the material out though. Also keep in mind that the samples get stretched out from so much use.
Super October 2017
I would size up! The sample dress may be a bit stretched out from being tried on many times, and it's best to get a dress that fits where your body is the biggest & then altering to take in any parts that are too loose (I'm bottom-heavy, so I got a dress to fit my butt and am getting it taken in up top & adding push-up cups). And that way if you do lose weight, you can still get the dress taken in to fit, but if you don't lose weight you won't have the risk of it being too tight.
Master October 2017
fallinthegarden ·
I was in between, I sized up. Easier to take it in then let it out
Super October 2017
2ndTime ·
I didn't even think about the sample sizes stretching. @Linds - that sounds so frustrating!
VIP February 2018
veeismeee ·
I was in between sizes with my dress, but the owner of the boutique where I purchased my dress advised my consultant to go with the size that matched my largest measurement (which happened to be my bust). My dress will probably be a little too large on the rest of my body, but like other posters have mentioned, it is easier to take something in than out!
Master March 2017
Linds ·
It was awful - shockingly awful. I had worked so hard to drop pounds and tone up - and I couldn't even kind of zip it. Luckily - my dress had decent seam allowances - my seamstress however was not thrilled she had to take every seam apart and basically remake the dress for me.
Master October 2017
Must Love Cats ·
Always order the size up.
VIP October 2017
Meagen ·
I went up a size and plan to take it in. Better safe than sorry!
Dedicated June 2017
I had the same experience! The sample fit nearly perfectly, just a little snug. The size they ordered for me seemed WAY too big in relation to the sample size, but they did mention the sample stretching over time. My dress will be here in April and I have lost 20-25 lbs since I ordered it, so I guess we'll see!
VIP April 2017
Kristen ·
I ordered one size up from the sample size. The sample fit perfectly but I wanted the bigger size in case life happened. LOL
Master May 2017
I went size smaller as i planned to lose....fast forward I bought second dress as it couldn't be let out. :+(
VIP June 2017
Go up a size and get alterations to have it fit you. Sample dresses can get stretched out from being tried on so many times.
Master July 1867
OGJessieJV ·
It's easier to take in a dress then to let one out. Always go up a size, the sample sizes stretch out.
Super January 2017
MRSGodiva ·
I agree with the PP who said to order based on your largest measurement. Sample sizes do get stretched. When in doubt, order up a size.