Shimmer Mini Evening Handbag

Every dress we sell is graded across the full range, size by size. The chart below gives body measurements in inches — the numbers you take with a tape measure, not the numbers of the garment itself.

Size chart

How to measure

Wear the underwear you plan to wear under the dress, and keep the tape snug but not tight. Have someone help if you can — measuring your own back is where the numbers go wrong.

• Bust — around the fullest part, tape level under the arms and across the back.
• Waist — the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the navel. Bend to one side; the crease is your waist.
• Hip — around the fullest part, roughly 8 inches below the waist, feet together.

Between two sizes

Take the larger one. A seam can be taken in by any tailor for a few dollars; letting a dress out is a different job, and on a lined or boned bodice it is often impossible.

A few cuts run differently

• Bodycon and fitted satin — no stretch to hide behind. If your waist measurement lands between two sizes, size up.
• Corset and boned bodices — go by the bust and waist, ignore the hip; the skirt is loose.
• Maxi lengths — the chart does not change with your height. Most of our maxi dresses are cut for 5'6" to 5'8" without heels. Shorter than that and you will likely want a hem taken up.

Still not sure

Send your bust, waist and hip measurements plus the dress you are looking at to support@elsieaugust.com and we will tell you which size we would send. If we think neither will fit you well, we will say so.