Need Help with First Dress

[hammer]

I am going to be buying my first dress, or skirt and blouse, or both! I measured myself 44 40 38. What sizes should I be looking at? I am 5'11" tall and 175 lbs.

[JoanFlores]

I would try a size 12 or 14. I am 198 lbs, 42, 36,42. and use 12/14.

[hammer]

Thanks Joan!

[Sharon]

The size you wear will vary widely depending on the retailer and manufacturer, not to mention the cut and style of the dress.. If ordering from a website, always check the sizing charts.

[hammer]

I usually buy from thrift stores

[Billijo49504]

Go to Lane Bryant, when they first open. They usually aren't very busy then. They will be happy to help. And you can try things on. And they will help you pick thing that go together...BJ

[Emily Ann Brown]

44" chest may put you into 16 regular....again it depends on the cut.

Emily Ann

[Butterfly Bill]

Take a measuring tape with you as you shop, and measure it as it hangs on the rack to see if it's near before trying it on. And there is no substitute for actually trying it on. There is almost no standardization in woman's sizes.

[DawnLabelle]

im 38-33-36 and I often wear 12/14 for non-stretchy tops and skirts, yet I've also gotten away with 9/10 on a skirt, so simply using dressize isn't perfect. As Bill said, bring in a measuring tape and measure across the clothing as its on the rack to get an idea of how that specific brand fits as each store will be different.

Id start by getting stretchier materials, go for a halter top dress which doesn't have shoulders as our shoulders will often add a dress size or two just to fit, dont get anything with sleeves either and if you want to cover your arms get a shawl or pashmina instead. If you follow this you should get a decent first dress and from there you can learn what fits properly.

its a fun process if a bit expensive :D

Dawn

[hammer]

Thanks gurls I am realy nervous and I so appreciatte your help!

[Bernadina]

As was already mentioned, take a measuring tape. Measure the dress lying flat. The key measurements are:

Shoulders
Bust (under arms)
Waist
And sometimes hips and sleeves.

And also check the dress length and if you can get you hand in the cuff if there are sleeves.

I'm 17" across the shoulder, 20" across the bust, 15 1/5" across the waist, 17" across the hips.

9 times out of 10 I get it right.

Forget the dress size numbers. I can be anywhere from a 10 to a 16 depdending upon the manufacturer, style, and country of origin.

[Sally24]

As others have said, you're probably in the 12/14 area. I am 6 ft and 150 lbs and that is where I usually fit.

Skirts are harder to fit without trying them on. I take anywhere from a 10 to a 12. Because they need to be self supporting on your waist and hips, there's not alot of room for error. A dress just has to go around you, a skirt has to stay up.

Good luck and enjoy!