How to Shop Made-to-order Dresses

The most common way to buy a gown  is made to order. Made-to-order dresses are just that, not in existence; they are made for you after you purchase it. This is what most bridal salons do! You can also buy made-to-order gowns online. Any gown that takes several months to receive is  made-to-order.

So let's run through it: 

How long does a made-to-order dress take to get to you?

Almost 80% of gowns that are sold in the US are made in China. Ordering a made to order gown will take a minimum of 5-6 months. Details like embroidered netting and beading may mean more steps… so more time in production. That 5-6 month window might be bigger or smaller. Now I know that sounds good, but it doesn’t include the time alterations will take. You will have to add a month or two for alterations. 

All in all, only order a made to order if you have 6 months or more!

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How are made-to-order gowns sized?

Made-to-order gowns are NOT customized in any way.  If you are ordering online, you will have to compare your bust, waist and hips measurements to the designer’s size chart and make an educated guess. We recommend getting professional measurements done by your alterations specialist before purchasing.

If your bust is an 8, your waist is a 6, and your hips are a 12, you need to order the 12 and have the bust taken in 6 inches. Don’t worry, these dresses are NOT made to fit you. That’s where alterations come in! 

The same applies to shopping in a bridal salon. Salon’s generally carry a sample size 8 or a runway size 2. Call the salon and ask what sample sizes they carry. If all the dresses are smaller than you, do NOT shop there. It also might be a good idea to ask about the range of dresses they offer and if the shop offers alterations so you can plan accordingly.

There are definitely advantages to  ordering from a Salon.. If you have a very differently sized top and bottom, some Salons have lines that offer “split sizing”. Also, if you are petite, some salons may be able to order a shorter hollow-to-hem measurement.  Some lines will also allow some mix and match - having the top of one gown and the skirt from another combined into your perfect look. We will go over how to measure in our upcoming posts. Stay tuned!