What do you do if a bridal salon doesn't have the dress in your size?

Question

I'm going to a bridal salon for the first time in a few days to try on a gown I saw in a magazine. They have to order it from the designer and I was told that they'll either get the "runway size" which is probably a 2, or an average size, which is an 8 or 10 - but they'll only get it in ONE size. What happens if neither of those sizes fit? I'm typically an 8, but I've heard that bridal gowns run really small. This store is the only one in my area that carries this gown. How does this work, usually? I'm a gown virgin! Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Many bridal salons have many dresses in different sizes. Because not everyone is a 2 or 8 or 10. Everytime I have tried on gowns they have been the same as what I typically wear. I would tell them to get an 8 and even if you can't zip it or it is way to big you should be able to tell what it looks like and if it is going to look good. And you may not even like it, that happened to me alot. I would see a gown I thought was beautiful and when I tried it on it just didn't look right. So be open minded and have a good time.

Answer 2

This isn't an uncommon problem and I totally understand what you are saying.  

I had an argument with a salon employee about a bridesmaid dress because my sister is a size 18/20 and is 5ft 11inches tall and I wanted to see a dress ON HER not on a hanger (the salon told me to bring my 5ft tall size 0 person in so I could see the dress on someone in my wedding party - - I told them that I wouldn't order a dress unless I could return them if they looked awful on my plus-size bridesmaid).

How it works, when they don't have your correct size:

~ if they can actually get you into a sample size dress, they will be able to put it on you and explain how the dress would properly sit in your size ( a good salon employee will be able to do this; if they can't then they aren't good).  I had to do this with several dresses I tried on because I could get in 'em but not zip them up.  BUT it did give me a decent understanding of where things were going to sit on me and how the fabric looked against my skin coloring.

~ if they cannot get you into that actual dress, they can search for similarly cut dresses that will fit you and put you in those so you can get an idea of if that dress will fit you or not or how it will look on you.

Answer 3

there is more than one bridal shop in a town

just look for another one

Answer 4

You will never fit perfectly into the gown you are trying on. What they will do is have you put the dress on and give you an idea of what it will look like. No it will not fit right and it more than likely will either not be able to zip up all the way or will be way too big, but what they are trying to do is put the visual in your head of what the dress will look like when they order the correct size for you. Don't worry that the dress you try on isn't your size, just use your imagination and think about where things will fall once it is the correct size.

Answer 5

Lose a little weight to fit the size 8, or get a size 10 and have it altered.

Answer 6

All dress shops I ever went to had dresses ranging from size 6 to 10. I doubt they would only have a size 2, that would be very unrealistic for most brides.

Try on whatever size they have. Even if it is a little small you could get an idea of how it looks. If they have a larger size, the store should have clips so you can see what it looks like if it was fitted.

Edit: Ok, maybe I can more clearly help you address your concerns. Even if the dress is smaller, you can still get a good idea of how it looks. My dress was a smaller size at the store but it still looked the same (in the front at least!) as it did in my size. This also happened with one of my bridesmaids - she is a bigger girl and they only had a size 8 in her dress. She tried it on and it was the same as with my dress - you could tell it would fit okay. I hope this helps!

Answer 7

Most bridal stores have a few different sizes - just not in the same gown! if you see a dress you LOVE try it on, they can let it out a little if its too small, but otherwise ask to try something on very similar in the right size. SO you should know if the shape suits you, but comes in the pattern you want. That being said, most dresses are stocked in a few stores - if you call around you might find the dress you like on the rack in the size you want to try on which would solve the problem straight away! if you haven't tried on any yet, I suggest you go in and see what suits you first, before worrying about sizes.

Answer 8

Most dresses are only available in stock sizes at salons for you to try on.

What you do is make the best of it.  If you really can't imagine how the dress will look on then take pictures so that you can go back and see what items you liked about it and what you didn't.

This is incredibly common.  You might be a gown virgin, but the associates at the store are not!  IT's their JOB to help you.

Just take a friend and a digital camera.

Answer 9

go somewhere else..or buy it in a size comparable to what you were and see if it can be altered

Answer 10

They measure you and compare that to the designer’s size charts. They’ll buy the dress for your biggest measurement (ex. let’s say your bust measures an 8, and your waist and hips a 6, they’ll order the 8) and then the rest will be altered to fit you.

Wedding dresses do often run small, but not always. I’m a street size 4/6 and fit into various floor samples that ranged from 2-10.

A gown can usually be adjusted up to two sizes either way.  So even if they do order an 8 and some part of you ends up being a 10, a seamstress can fix it.

Answer 11

oh u are getting so stressed out over nothing.take a deep breath and breathe.what happens is go into the store and either show them pics of the style that you like or they will give you a range and then you tell them i like this or i dont like that and they work with you from there. once you found the dress you want they will measure and see what size you need.then when it comes in you go for a fitting and they fix whatever needs to be fixed.if they dont have it in your size then you just have to try to imagine it with all your hair done and makeup and shoes and veil. you will know once you try on the dress if it is the one! good luck and have fun with it!

ps dont even worry about the size i wear an 11 in jeans and my wedding dress is a size 24 the designer just happens cut them very small. it is all about how you feel int he dress i felt like a princess......never got to wear it though cause my x chated on me two months before the wedding but because it was so close it was already paid for and i plan on getting married someday and still wearing my dream dress.

Answer 12

Try the dress on the size that they have...even if it is to small. You may find that it gives you an accurate picture - and the bridal shop will do all they can to make it look like it would look in your size.

If they have a smaller size and you feel that it doesn't give you a good picture you could ask them if they can order a sample in your size. Some bridal shops will do this, but they will charge you a fee. If you decide to buy the dress then the fee that they charge you to have the sample ordered will usually be put towards the price of the gown.

I think it will be okay. I've known girls who have gone in and the dress is WAYYYY to small for them - but they also knew when they put it on that it was the dress; despite the fit. I think that you will just know.

Good luck!

Answer 13

They will measure you for that dresses exact size chart.  Each designer has their own size chart.

Don't worry, they can always alter it.  :-)

Answer 14

If it doesnt have your size. . . . . You cry. . .

Answer 15

That's true, they generally only have each dress in one size.  But they will pin it onto you so you can get a good idea of what it looks like, then they will do full measurements and custom order it for you.  You will probably need to have alterations done even when you get the gown, as your measurements may have changed slightly from the time you order it.  It takes 3-4 months for most dresses to arrive.  I don't like this whole method, so I bought my dress off the rack at Macy's!

Answer 16

if u like the gown and it doesnt fit then they will order one in ur size. Typically wedding gowns are 2 sizes too small so they have to go up in size. If ur an 8 then ur dress will prolly be a 10 or 12. Sometimes the seamstresses can let the dress out enuff for it to fit you and u wont have to order another dress, depending on how the 8 fits u and wear it needs to be adjusted.

Answer 17

They usually send a large one and the sales person pins the dress to fit your body. It's not an exact science by any means.

Answer 18

ANYTHING can be adjusted to fit you- i promise.

Answer 19

That's just to try it on.... They like having only one dress on hand as a sample gown.... You try that on, wheter it's bigger or smaller, and if that's the one you want they order a new one, especially for you in YOUR size....

Answer 20

Bridal gowns aren't that small - I have a 36" bust and am a size 12 in mine. You may very well not be able to try it on properly. Don't bring your fiance, because the back will likely be open pretty far down. (they might kick guys out, I don't know). You'll have to use your imagination somewhat, and listen to advice.