Size Guide

Occasion wear is usually bought well before it is worn, for a child who is still growing. Getting the size right the first time matters, so please measure rather than guessing from age alone — children of the same age vary enormously.

How to measure

  • Chest: around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight.
  • Waist: around the narrowest part, usually just above the belly button.
  • Length: from the top of the shoulder straight down to where you want the hem to fall. Our lengths are measured from the shoulder, not from the floor.

Which size to order

Go by the chest measurement first. It is the measurement that decides whether a dress fastens at all. Waist and length are easier to live with.

If the event is more than two months away, size up. A dress that is slightly loose can be taken in at the waist or worn with the sash pulled tighter. One that is too small on the morning of a wedding cannot be fixed. This is the single most common reason an order comes back to us.

If your child is between two sizes, size up — particularly for the fuller tulle and ball gown styles, which have no stretch.

Girls' dresses, sizes 2 to 10 (inches)

Applies to our tulle and tea-length styles.

Size 2 4 6 8 10
Chest 22 24 26 28 29.5
Waist 21 23 24.5 26 27
Tea length 25 28 31 34 37
Ball gown length 30 34 38 42 44

Tea length is our shorter styles; ball gown is our full-length styles. Measurements may differ by up to half an inch, as they are taken by hand.

Girls' dresses, by age (centimetres)

Applies to our Hana, Melody and Hilda styles.

Recommended age 3–4y 4–6y 6–8y 8–10y 10–12y
Length 60 65 70 75 80
Shoulder 23.5 25 27 29 31
Bust 62 66 70 74 78
Waist 58 61 64 67 70

Measuring error ±1–2 cm.

Baby dresses, 6 to 24 months (inches)

Applies to our Ellie satin baby dresses.

Size 6M 12M 18M 24M
Chest 20 21 22 23
Waist 19 19.5 21 22
Length 15 16.5 17.5 18.5

Toddler dresses, sizes 2 to 6 (inches)

Size 2 4 6
Chest 21.5 23 25.5
Waist 21 22.5 25
Length 25.5 29 33

Boys' vest sets and suits

Our boys' sets are sized by age, from 12 months through 12 years depending on the style. The shirts are a cotton-polyester blend and the trousers have elastic at the waist, so they accommodate a growing child better than the dresses do. Order the child's usual age size, and size up if they are tall for their age.

Still unsure?

Tell us the child's chest measurement and the date of the event, and we will tell you honestly which size to order. Please check before ordering rather than after — see our refund policy for what happens if something does need to come back.

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