1.      Never try to take your own measurements! We suggest having a professional seamstress/ tailor in your area take your measurements. If this is not possible, please have someone besides yourself take the measurements.

2.      If possible, have the measurements taken in the undergarments you will be wearing with your gown.

3.      To take the bust measurement (A), put your heels together and arms down at your side, position the tape so it covers the widest part of the back and the fullest part of the bust. Keep your thumb behind the tape.

4.      When measuring the waist (B), place your hands at your natural waistline, the tape should be placed here. Do not pull the tape taut or hold in your tummy! Leave the thumb behind the tape while taking the waist measure.

5.      To take an accurate hip measurement for a straight or sheath garment (C), place your heels together and position the tape around the widest part of the bottom and bring across the widest part of the thigh. Always place a thumb behind the tape and do not pull it taut! If the style being worn is an A-Line gown, place your hands at your natural hipline and with heels together, position the tape around the fullest part of the hip.

6.      For extra length, our vendors suggest consider ordering it if you are 5' 8" or taller, with the heels you will be wearing with the gown. Extra length is usually a standard 5'" inches longer although this will vary between designers. When ordering a bridesmaid gown, remember to check with the bride to see if she requests a certain hem length she wants her attendants to wear. Extra length is always an additional charge and varies between designers.

7.   Hollow-to-Hem (D) is a specific length measurement used for bridal gowns. Some designers offer the option to have a gown cut to a particular length. The availability and fee depends on the designer.

The Hollow-to-Hem is taken from the depression at the base of the neck just above the collarbone to the hem. We strongly suggest having a professional seamstress/ tailor take this measurement. When taking this measurement, you will need to account for the fullness of an A-line or full-skirt gown by moving the tape forward away from the body, at the hem. The tape should be pulled out according to the fullness of the skirt. You will need to take the measurement with the exact heel height you will be wearing. It is a difficult measurement and best done by a professional. The length will be cut exactly to this length so it is important to be extremely accurate. Standard hollow-to-hem is 58" although this will vary between designers.

Once you have taken your measurements, see the selected designer's size chart under Size Charts on our website. These charts are directly from the designer and show how they cut their sizes. Keep in mind the designers do cut differently from normal street clothes so you may measure into a size you normally do not wear. The measurements are taken to determine the closet size to be ordered. This garment will not be custom made to your exact measurements. Almost every gown will require some type of alteration.

If your measurements indicate one size for the bust and a different size for the waist and or hips, the designer suggests ordering according to the largest measurement. This allows for this measurement to be accommodated for in the fit of the gown. Gowns can be taken-in, but due to the modest seam allowance in each garment, there may not be enough fabric to release to the size needed.

In-Stock Bridal Gowns
Please contact a Customer Service representative at info@houseofjonlibridal.com or at 301-396-8555 if you choose to purchase a gown from our in-stock bridal collection to confirm size availability. Extra length and hollow-to-hem are not available on any of the in-stock gowns.