Fit Tips: Your At-Home Dress Measuring Guide

Fortunately, it's surprisingly easy to measure yourself at home with a few basic tools and tricks of the trade (and maybe a friend to help out). To demystify the process, we asked Beth Bowersock, Anthropologie Weddings' Technical Design Director, to share her secrets for spot-on, like-a-glove fits.

If you can't make it into a Anthropologie Weddings store, simply follow Beth's step-by-step guide for measuring success. (The best part? This method works for all styles, from wedding gowns to bridesmaid dresses to cocktail sheaths!)

(1) To get started, you'll need a full-length mirror, a soft measuring tape, and (ideally) a friend to assist. If possible, wear the shapewear and shoes you plan to pair with your dress.

(2) Take your measurements while standing straight in front of your mirror to ensure the tape is level around your body. Don't pull too tightly or leave too much slack, as this will skew the measurements. If you don't have an assistant, remember to wrap the tape from back to front so you can easily read the numbers.

(3) First, take your bust measurement. Wrap the tape around the fullest area of your bust, under your arms.

(4) Next is the waist. Measure the slimmest part of your waist, just below the ribcage and above your bellybutton.

(5) For your hip measurement, wrap the tape around the fullest area of your hips (including your bum).

(6) Finally, the length measurement. Starting at the top of your shoulder, measure down the front of your body, over your bust, to the floor.

(7) Once you've completed your measurements, compare them to the Size Guide on the product page of the style you're considering.

(8) For body-hugging styles, we recommend selecting the size that best matches your largest measurement (bust, waist, or hip). For A-line or ballgown styles, focus on your bust and waist measurements, then select the size that matches the largest of the two. Remember, it's always easier to take something in than to let it out!

(9) To get a sense of how long a style will be on you, compare your body length to the shoulder-to-hem length indicated in the item's Fit Information.