When shopping for a wedding dress, many brides-to-be experience frustration and confusion over the sizing — why do wedding dresses seem to run so small compared to ready-to-wear clothing? This phenomenon is common and can create anxiety during one of the most exciting, yet stressful, moments of wedding planning. Understanding the reasons behind wedding dresses running small can help brides set realistic expectations, navigate sizing challenges, and ultimately find a dress that fits beautifully.
The Unique Nature of Bridal Sizing
Wedding dresses differ fundamentally from everyday clothing in both design and function. Unlike casual or formal wear, bridal gowns are typically made with intricate detailing, structured silhouettes, and are often tailored to enhance and shape the body in specific ways. These characteristics influence how sizing is developed and why brides often find themselves ordering a size smaller than their usual dress size.
1. Bridal Designers Use Different Measurement Standards
Unlike standard fashion brands that adhere to more uniform sizing charts, bridal designers often use unique sizing standards that do not correspond directly to ready-to-wear sizes. Many bridal gowns are designed with a silhouette that emphasizes a tight, corseted waist and a snug bodice to create an hourglass figure. As a result, their size charts can run smaller because they anticipate the dress to be taken in or altered later.
Additionally, bridal sizing sometimes uses vanity sizing less than mainstream fashion brands. Vanity sizing is the practice of labeling clothes with smaller sizes than their actual measurements to make customers feel better about their size. Bridal designers tend to avoid vanity sizing to preserve the traditional, fitted bridal silhouette.
2. The Construction of Wedding Dresses Requires Precision Fit
Wedding gowns are often constructed with multiple layers of fabric, boning, corsetry, and heavy embellishments such as beading and lace appliqué. These design elements create structure and support but also add bulk to the dress, affecting how the dress fits the body.
To accommodate the rigidity and multiple layers, bridal designers make the bodices and waist sections tighter to ensure the dress hugs the bride’s figure firmly and stays in place throughout the event. Consequently, this often results in the dress feeling smaller than a similarly sized casual dress.
3. Many Wedding Dresses Are Sized for Alterations
One of the key reasons wedding dresses run small is that most bridal gowns are sold with the expectation that they will be altered. Unlike off-the-rack clothing, wedding dresses undergo professional tailoring to achieve a perfect fit for each bride’s unique body shape.
Bridal boutiques and designers often size their dresses to a “base” size that requires alterations — taking in or letting out fabric — to achieve the ideal silhouette. Because alterations can only take fabric in and not add much, starting with a smaller size helps ensure there is enough fabric to tailor the dress properly.
4. Different Sizing Between International Markets
Bridal sizing can vary significantly depending on where the dress is made or sold. For instance, American wedding dress sizes generally run larger compared to European or Asian sizing standards. A size 8 in the US might be equivalent to a size 12 or 14 in European sizing.
This international variation can confuse brides who purchase dresses from global designers or online retailers, leading to the perception that dresses run smaller than their usual size.
5. The Impact of Silhouette and Style on Sizing
The silhouette of a wedding dress heavily influences how the dress fits and how its size corresponds to the bride’s body. For example:
Mermaid and Trumpet Styles: These styles are designed to be form-fitting from the bust to the hips, often running tighter to accentuate curves.
Ball Gowns and A-Line Dresses: These may feel less restrictive in the skirt area but still require a snug bodice.
Sheath Dresses: These tend to run small because they follow the natural shape of the body closely.
Because some silhouettes demand a more fitted look, the sizing charts reflect this by offering smaller sizes, which can surprise brides accustomed to looser casual wear.
Why Brides Should Expect to Try on Smaller Sizes
Given these reasons, it’s common advice from bridal consultants that brides try on one or two sizes smaller than their everyday clothing size. This practice can save time and help manage expectations during the often overwhelming process of dress shopping.
Preparing for the Fitting Process
Since alterations are almost always necessary, brides should focus less on the number on the size tag and more on how the dress shapes and supports their body. A skilled seamstress can take in or adjust most areas, but it’s difficult to add fabric to a dress, so starting with a smaller size is safer.
It’s also essential to wear the proper undergarments and shapewear during fittings. These can influence how tight or loose a dress feels and affect the perception of sizing.
Tips for Brides Navigating Wedding Dress Sizing
Consult Size Charts Carefully: Always compare measurements (bust, waist, hips) with the dress’s size chart rather than relying solely on your usual dress size.
Work With Experienced Bridal Consultants: They understand how the dresses fit and can guide you toward the right size.
Expect Alterations: Budget time and money for tailoring to achieve a perfect fit.
Be Open to Different Silhouettes: Trying various styles can help you find one that suits your body and feels comfortable despite the sizing differences.
Try Dresses in Person if Possible: Online sizing can be especially tricky; in-person fittings reduce guesswork.
Conclusion
Wedding dresses run small for several important reasons — from the specialized construction of the gowns, the tailored nature of bridal fashion, the need for precise fit to create the perfect silhouette, and the expectation of alterations. Brides should anticipate that their wedding dress size may be smaller than their everyday clothing size and approach dress shopping with flexibility and realistic expectations.
Ultimately, the goal is not to focus on the size number but to find a dress that complements your shape, feels comfortable, and makes you feel radiant on your special day. Armed with knowledge about why wedding dresses run small, brides can navigate the process with greater confidence and ease.
