Sizing Guide · 6 min read · Updated April 2026
Made-to-Measure Sizing — How to Take Perfect Couture Measurements
A made-to-measure dress only fits as well as the measurements you give us. Below is our complete 14-point measurement guide, exactly as our atelier measures clients in Prishtina. Take 20 minutes, ask a friend to help, and follow each step carefully.
What You Need Before You Start
- Flexible cloth measuring tape (not a metal builder's tape).
- Close-fitting underwear, ideally what you will wear under the dress.
- A friend to help — especially for back measurements.
- Shoes at the final heel height for floor-length measurements.
- A notepad — write measurements in centimetres, not inches, to avoid conversion errors.
Stand straight, feet together, arms relaxed at your sides. Do not hold your breath or pull the tape tight — keep it snug but not digging in.
The 14 Measurements
- Bust. Around the fullest part of the bust, tape parallel to the floor, front and back at the same height.
- Underbust. Directly under the bust, where a bra band sits. Snug, not tight.
- Waist. Around the natural waist — the narrowest point of your torso, usually 2–3 cm above the belly button.
- Hips. Around the fullest part of the hips, roughly 20 cm below the waist. Feet together for an accurate reading.
- Shoulder to shoulder (back). Across your upper back, from the outer tip of one shoulder bone to the other.
- Shoulder to bust point. From the top of the shoulder straight down to the fullest part of the bust (the nipple line).
- Shoulder to waist (front). From the top of the shoulder, down over the bust, to the natural waist.
- Nape to waist (back). From the prominent bone at the base of your neck, straight down the spine, to the natural waist.
- Waist to floor (front). Standing upright in the shoes you will wear, from the natural waist down the front of the body to the floor.
- Waist to floor (back). Same as above but down the back of the body. Should be 1–2 cm longer than the front measurement.
- Arm length. From the shoulder tip to the wrist bone, arm slightly bent.
- Bicep. Around the widest part of the upper arm, arm relaxed.
- Wrist. Around the wrist bone, snug.
- Height. Full standing height without shoes, measured against a wall.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing centimetres and inches on the same form.
- Measuring over thick clothing or shapewear that will not be worn on the day.
- Pulling the tape too tight around the bust or waist.
- Forgetting to measure height and shoe heel height — critical for the hem.
- Not using a friend for back measurements.
What Happens Next
Send your 14 measurements via email or WhatsApp after placing your order. Our atelier team in Prishtina will review them, compare against the design and contact you within 24 hours if anything looks off. We build your dress directly to your numbers and, for higher-end bespoke orders, create a toile (muslin mock-up) for a remote virtual fitting.
Prefer a Professional?
If you are ordering a high-value gown, we recommend paying a local seamstress (typically $15–30 USD) to take the measurements professionally. The accuracy difference is worth it for a custom dress.