Fit for the Occasion – How to Measure a Girl’s Dress

Online shopping has added so much convenience and variety to just about every purchase we make, unfortunately finding the right fit suddenly has become more complicated and stressful.

Never fear...with a measuring tape and a few small steps, you can be well on your way to finding the best size for your Susanne Lively dress! Grab your measuring tape, a piece of paper and writing utensil to make some notes.

A great starting point is the child’s age and size. Then make the following measurements in inches.
1) Chest - measure around under the arms at the fullest part
2) Waist – approximately 1 inch above belly button
3) Shoulder to waist – middle of shoulder to one inch above belly button
4) Waist to hem - one inch above belly button to knee or tea length

Once you have your measurements recorded, compare to our Size Chart.

A few things to keep in mind when comparing measurements.
1) A key component is the shoulder to waist. While the width of a bodice can be taken in by a tailor, a shoulder to waist measurement is key. If the shoulder to waist length is too long, the waistline can bunch up around the stomach and if it is too short then the dress will be high waisted.
2) Different bodices will fit slightly different. For example, a sleeveless bodice with a v back will be a little bit roomier than a closed back and puff sleeve.
3) If your measurements fall between two sizes it is best to go up a size, as the dress width can be taken in by your trusted tailor.

If questions remain on what size is best, feel free to reach out be sending a quick email to . We will be more than happy to help get your girls dream dress for your special event!