Instructions on how to measure, zipper, or lace your dress

How to Lace a Corset Dress

When lacing up a dress, make sure the person's back is straight at all times. An easy way to do this, have them place their hands on the hips. Then do the following in order:

  1. Add lace to the first top loops on each side of the dress
  2. After adding the lace through the first loops, pull back and line the lace to make it even
  3. Pull the lace through an open loop on the left side
  4. Then pull lace through an open loop on the right side, skipping one hole
  5. Continue lacing every other loop on each side
  6. Then you can add lace through the remaining open loops on each side of the dress
  7. Tighten the lace by pulling on each crossover piece (see video for example)
  8. Create a bow
  9. Tuck extra lace inside the dress

 

Dress Measuring for Your Bust-Waist-Hips

Here is how to get your dress measurements

  • Stand up straight with your feet together and both arms lifted
  • Make sure the tape is level when measuring

Measuring Your Bust:

  1. Take the tape around your back
  2. Bring it across your bust at the fullest part
  3. Record measurement

Measuring Your Waist:

  1. Wrap the tape around your waist (located an inch above your belly button or naturally where you curve in when you bend side to side)
  2. Record measurement

Measuring Your Hips:

  1. Loop the tape completely around your buttocks and thighs at the fullest part
  2. Record measurement

Now that you have all three measurements, make sure you match them accordingly--bust-waist-hips (For example: 34.5-26-36).

Extra tips:

  • When measuring over undergarments, keep the tape level and pull it together, but not too tight
  • If you will be wearing special undergarments with your dress, measure over those
  • Most formal dresses run smaller, usually one size smaller than normal clothing. If you are in between sizes, choose the larger one as it is easier to alter a dress than to let it out.
  • And remember, every designer has different size charts. So sizing can vary with every dress

 

 How to Zipper up a Dress

  1. First, make sure the dress is on and held in a position where you feel comfortable.
  2. When you start to zipper the dress, make sure that there are no hanger straps and/or strings in the zipper's way.
  3. You can do one of two things:
  • You can attach the hook-n-eye first and start to zipper
  • Or you can zipper it up and then attach the hook-n-eye
  1. Slowly pull up the zipper of the gown until you have it all the way closed.

More Tips:

The majority of dresses have hidden zippers and you might need an extra person to help you hold the dress together while you zip. If you are having a hard time zipping it, you can always rub a bar of soap or zipper wax on the teeth of the zipper to help ease and lubricate the zipper.