HOW TO KNOW YOUR DRESS SIZE

WHAT IS YOUR DRESS SIZE

Note by Evelyn Umeh

figure 1.1 your guide to knowing your dress size

As a fashion designer, instructor, tailor and stylist, I will help to put you through in knowing your dress size. It is important because often times, I come across clients, especially online clients, who don't have idea of what their dress sizes are. Now, to get you acquainted to this, please make sure you follow the guideline am going to teach you here. To get started, follow this steps:

1. What you need to know your body size

• measuring tape
• mirror
• pen 
• measurement book.

I always advice that as a fashion lover, you should always have at least a measuring tape with you. Not just as a fashion lover but to everyone because this is necessary just in case there's is need for you to make purchase online, over the phone or through a friend. Once you've got the materials ready, move on to the next step.

2. Body measurements basics

YOUR DRESS SIZE BASICS

Once you've got your materials ready,  use your tape rule to get your body measured. Remember my earlier post on "how to determine your body shape"? If you haven't read it, I'm referring you to this link, http://goo.gl/bNTAwr to get basic info on the basic things you need to know in getting yourself measured.

Knowing your body size, stand in front of a full mirror with your measuring tape, pen and measurement book. The basic things you have to know are measuring your bust, waist and hips. The picture above will also help to teach you on where you should place your measuring tape.

• Bust: place your measuring tape across the fuller/larger part of your chest, which is your bust point. Do not make the measurement too tight or too loose. place your finger beneath the tape to make it free enough to move round the bust. Get your measurement and write it down.
• Waist: Usually, the tinier part of your body is your waist. place your tape rule around the waistline, get your measurement and write it down.

• Hips: place your measuring tape around the larger part of your lower body. get your measurement and write it down.

It is very necessary to read more here: http://goo.gl/bNTAwr

3. Know your body size.

There are two major body sizes we use especially in the market which are,UK and US sizes and often times, people are mistaken and it's also confusing which body size is really theirs. A UK size 12 is different from a US size 12, in fact, a UK size 12 is classified under medium body size while US size 12 is classified under large body size. Now, you understand what I mean. So, if you're buying US size 12, make no mistake of buying a UK size 12.
Personally, I use Zagora Women's body size chart in making outfits for my clients. It appears to be the accurate since they suit my clients.
How do you know what size you are?
You have now taken down your measurements right? All you need to do is look at this chart and find out where your bust, waist and hips fall. You could be a small, medium, large, x large sizes. Still confused? Ok, let's do an example with the help of this chart below. If my bust is 36. waist is 29 and hips 40, what is my size? use this chart:

figure 1.2 body size chart.

I just looked at the chart and found out that my measurement falls in the medium category. So, am a medium, UK size 12, US size 8 lady. Am sure it's clear now.

Now, what's your dress size? 

Xoxo,