If you've been shopping for an off-the-rack or sample wedding dress, you might have noticed something interesting. So many of the available designer wedding gowns seem to be a bridal size 10 or 12. But why? And what if you're a bride who typically wears a size 2, 4, 14, or 16?
At The White Dress by the Shore, our bridal boutique in Clinton, Connecticut, we hear these questions often, especially from brides in New England and the New York areas visiting us for our TWD Off-the-Rack experience. The answer has a lot to do with how bridal boutiques select their sample wedding dresses and the differences between bridal sizing and the clothing sizes you're used to wearing.
Ahead, we're explaining why bridal boutiques often carry wedding dress samples in sizes 10 and 12, how wedding dress sizing actually works, and what brides should know before shopping for an off-the-rack designer wedding gown.
Why Do Bridal Boutiques Carry So Many Size 10 and 12 Wedding Dresses?
Here's a little behind-the-scenes information about how bridal boutiques purchase their wedding dress collections.
When we select new designer wedding dresses for The White Dress by the Shore, we're not just choosing the styles, silhouettes, and fabrics we think our brides will love. We're also deciding which sample size to purchase for each gown.
At our boutique, we typically purchase our floor samples in bridal sizes 10 and 12 because these sizes allow us to accommodate a wider range of brides during their appointments.
For example, a bride who wears a smaller size can often try on a larger sample wedding dress with the help of clips that temporarily adjust the fit. This allows her to see the silhouette, neckline, and overall design of the gown even when the sample isn't her exact size.
While it's more difficult to demonstrate the fit of a gown that's too small, having samples in a versatile middle size allows our bridal stylists to introduce more brides to a greater variety of wedding dress styles.
It's a thoughtful part of how we curate our collection and create the best possible shopping experience for our brides.
Why Does This Matter When Shopping for an Off-the-Rack Wedding Dress?
There's an important difference between trying on a wedding dress sample during a traditional bridal appointment and purchasing that sample as your actual wedding gown.
During a made-to-order bridal appointment, the sample is there to help you experience the design. Once you've selected your wedding dress, your stylist takes your measurements and helps determine the appropriate size to order from the designer.
With off-the-rack wedding dress shopping, however, you're purchasing the actual gown that's hanging in the boutique. That means the size of the sample matters much more.
Because many off-the-rack wedding dresses originally served as boutique floor samples, you'll often find that the available sizes reflect the sizes bridal shops purchased for their collections, rather than a full range of sizes in every style.
This is why our TWD Off-the-Rack experience includes many gowns in bridal sizes 10 through 14, while we have a more limited selection in smaller and larger sizes.
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Is Bridal Sizing Different From Regular Clothing Sizes?
One of the most important things brides should understand before shopping for their wedding dress is that bridal sizing is much different than normal, everyday street clothing.
Bridal sizing often runs differently from the clothing sizes you typically purchase at your favorite stores. Depending on the designer, a bride who usually wears a size 10 or 12 in everyday clothing may need a size 14 or 16 in a wedding gown.
This surprises many brides, especially when they see that a bridal boutique carries numerous size 10 and 12 samples and assume those gowns will fit the same way their everyday clothing does.
Wedding dress designers use their own size charts, and sizing can vary significantly from one designer to another. Your bridal size is determined by your measurements and the specific designer's sizing guidelines, not the number on the tag of your jeans or favorite dress.
And remember, the size printed inside your wedding dress is simply a number. It has nothing to do with how beautiful you'll look or feel wearing it.
What If You Normally Wear a Size 2 or 4?
If you typically wear a size 2 or 4 in everyday clothing, you may find that there are fewer off-the-rack wedding dresses available in your size than you expected.
This is largely because many bridal boutiques purchase their original samples in larger sizes to accommodate more brides during traditional wedding dress appointments.
For brides ordering a made-to-order gown, this isn't usually a problem. Your stylist can clip a larger sample during your appointment, and your wedding dress can then be ordered in the appropriate size.
When shopping off-the-rack, however, it's important to consider how much a sample gown would need to be altered to fit your body.
While many wedding dresses can be taken in, significant size adjustments may affect the construction, proportions, lace placement, or other design details of the gown.
That's why we recommend working closely with your bridal stylist and consulting an experienced bridal seamstress before purchasing a sample wedding dress that requires substantial alterations.
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What If You Normally Wear a Size 10 or 12?
A bride who typically wears a size 10 or 12 in everyday clothing may assume she'll have plenty of options because so many sample wedding dresses are labeled as bridal sizes 10 and 12.
But remember, bridal sizing and everyday clothing sizing aren't necessarily the same.
Depending on the designer and your measurements, your bridal size might actually be closer to a 14 or 16.
This is why we encourage brides not to rely solely on their everyday clothing size when evaluating off-the-rack wedding dress options.
A gown that's labeled as a bridal size 12 may fit very differently from a size 12 dress in your closet. Understanding your approximate bridal size before shopping can help you set realistic expectations and focus on the gowns that have the best potential to fit beautifully.
Can You Alter an Off-the-Rack Wedding Dress To Fit?
Many off-the-rack wedding dresses can be altered to create a beautiful fit. In fact, alterations are a normal part of the bridal shopping process, whether you're purchasing a sample gown or ordering a new designer wedding dress.
Depending on the gown's construction, an experienced bridal seamstress may be able to take in the bodice, adjust the waist, shorten the hem, or make other changes to improve the fit.
However, not every wedding dress can be altered to every size.
Taking a gown in several sizes can be more complicated than making smaller adjustments, particularly when the wedding dress features intricate lace, beading, boning, or detailed construction.
Making a wedding dress larger can be even more challenging, as it depends on the amount of fabric available in the seams and the design of the gown.
Before saying yes to an off-the-rack wedding dress, it's important to understand what alterations may be possible and whether they're realistic for your wedding timeline.
For more information, read our guide to off-the-rack wedding dress alterations and what brides should know about achieving the right fit.
How Can You Prepare for an Off-the-Rack Wedding Dress Appointment?
One of the best things you can do before shopping for an off-the-rack wedding dress is to have an open conversation with your bridal boutique about sizing.
Let the boutique know your typical clothing size, and ask about the range of bridal sample sizes available. If possible, share your current bust, waist, and hip measurements so the stylist can help you better understand which gowns may be worth exploring.
It's also helpful to keep an open mind about different wedding dress silhouettes and styles. Because off-the-rack collections are made up of existing gowns, the selection in each size can be more limited than a made-to-order designer collection.
At The White Dress by the Shore, our bridal stylists are here to help you navigate these considerations so you can make the most of your appointment and feel confident about your options.
What If You Can't Find an Off-the-Rack Wedding Dress in Your Size?
If you're not finding the right off-the-rack wedding dress in your size, don't get discouraged. It may simply mean that the available sample collection isn't the best match for your measurements or the style you're hoping to find.
One of the benefits of shopping at a bridal boutique that offers both made-to-order and off-the-rack wedding dresses is having different options to explore.
With a made-to-order designer wedding dress, you're not limited to the size of the sample hanging on the boutique floor. Your bridal stylist can help you select a gown and determine the appropriate size to order according to the designer's measurements and size chart.
If you have enough time before your wedding, this may give you access to a much wider selection of designer wedding dresses. The most important thing is finding a gown that works for your body, your wedding timeline, and your personal style.
Shop Designer Wedding Dresses at The White Dress by the Shore in Connecticut
Whether you're exploring our made-to-order designer wedding dress collections or looking for an off-the-rack wedding gown, understanding bridal sizing can make your shopping experience so much easier.
At The White Dress by the Shore in Clinton, Connecticut, our experienced bridal stylists are here to help you navigate wedding dress sizes, understand your options, and find a gown that makes you feel beautiful and confident.
For brides interested in shopping our TWD Off-the-Rack collection, we offer a curated selection of designer sample wedding dresses in bridal sizes 6 through 22, with the majority of our gowns falling between sizes 10 and 14.
We welcome brides from throughout Connecticut, New England, and the New York City area and would love to help you find your wedding dress, whether that means discovering a beautiful sample gown or ordering a new designer dress. Schedule your bridal appointment and let our team help you find the wedding dress that's right for you.