A size small at one brand is not a size small at another. Sizing isn’t standardised, which is why ordering a dress online can feel like a gamble. The fix is simple: stop guessing from the label, take your measurements and compare them with each brand’s chart.
The measurements to take
- Bust: around the fullest part of your chest.
- Waist: around your natural waist, the narrowest part of your torso.
- Hips: around the fullest part of your hips.
- Height: useful for judging where a hem will fall.
How to measure properly
- Use a soft measuring tape, not a metal one.
- Wear thin clothing or underwear.
- Stand naturally and breathe normally.
- Keep the tape level and snug, not tight.
- Measure twice. If you can, ask someone to help.
How to read a size chart
Find where the dress is fitted. For a fitted bodice, your bust and waist matter most. For a gathered or A-line skirt, the hip is usually less critical. Compare your measurements with the chart and look at the largest measurement that applies to the fitted part of the dress.
What to do when you’re between sizes
The answer depends on the dress. For fitted, structured bodices, sizing up is usually the more comfortable choice. On the Meant For You product pages, Heartstring, Riviera, Amara and Knotty Affair all advise sizing up if you’re between sizes. Kaya’s back lacing gives extra room to cinch or loosen at the waist, so it is more forgiving.
Use the model information
Each Meant For You product page lists the size the model is wearing and her height. Compare her height with yours to estimate where a hem will fall. If you’re taller, a midi may land higher on you. If you’re shorter, it may land lower.
Fabric and fit
Woven fabrics such as cotton twill or gingham generally have less give than knits, so a dress that is too snug can’t be relied on to stretch. This is another reason to measure and check the chart before you order.
If you still aren’t sure
The product pages invite you to message your measurements so the team can help you choose. They also state a free size exchange or replacement within 48 hours of delivery for sizing issues or defects. Read the full Return and Exchange Policy before you order.
Ashwit’s Styling Note
A dress is built around its fitted points. Find where the dress is fitted, whether that’s the bodice, the waist seam or the back lacing, and trust the measurement that matches that point most.
Frequently asked questions
What if my bust and hips fall in different sizes?
Choose the size that fits the fitted part of the dress most comfortably. A skirt with gathers or an A-line shape gives more room at the hips.
Should I size up or down?
If you’re between sizes on a fitted bodice, sizing up is usually safer. If the dress has adjustable lacing, you have more flexibility.
How do I know if a dress runs small?
Read the fit advice on the product page. It tells you whether the dress runs true to size and what to do if you’re between sizes.
Can I ask for help choosing a size?
Yes. Message your measurements through Instagram and the team can help you pick.
Keep reading
Ready to choose? Browse the full collection and check the fit advice on each product page.
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