SAVOIR-MESURE

MEASUREMENT
GUIDE

Every Valeria Vaux gown is crafted entirely to your measurements — no fitting appointments, no alterations. To ensure a perfect result, please follow these steps carefully before placing your order.

Before You Begin

Find a trusted person to assist you — self-measuring can lead to inaccuracies. Wear the same underwear and foundation garments you plan to wear on your wedding day. Stand naturally, feet together, and breathe normally. All measurements should be taken over bare skin or light undergarments only.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

  • Soft Measuring Tape
  • Pen & Paper
  • A Trusted Assistant
  • Full-Length Mirror
  • Your Wedding Heels
PART I

Circumference Measurements

Wrap the tape fully around the body, parallel to the floor, snug but not tight.

01

BUST

Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, across the apex of the bust. Keep the tape parallel to the floor and snug — but not tight enough to compress the skin. Breathe normally and take the measurement at the end of a relaxed exhale.

NOTE The tape should pass over your shoulder blades at the back and remain level all the way around. Wear the bra or cups you plan to use on your wedding day.
Bust measurement
Underbust measurement
02

UNDERBUST

Wrap the tape directly under the bust, along the ribcage. This is the line where your bra band sits. Keep the tape firm and parallel to the floor. This measurement is essential for corset bodices and structured empire styles.

NOTE This measurement is taken under the breasts, not across them. Keep breathing naturally — do not suck in.
03

WAIST

Locate your natural waist — the narrowest point of your torso, typically 2–3 cm above your navel. Wrap the tape firmly but without pulling. Avoid the temptation to suck in; your gown is designed to fit your natural body comfortably.

TIP Tie a thin ribbon around your waist and let it settle naturally — it will find your true waist line on its own.
Waist measurement
Hip measurement
04

HIP

Stand with feet together. Wrap the tape around the widest part of your hips and seat — usually 18–23 cm below your natural waist. Ensure the tape passes over the fullest part of your buttocks and remains parallel to the floor.

NOTE This is not your hip bone — it is the widest point of your lower body including the curve of your bottom.
PART II

Length Measurements

These determine how your gown falls on your body. Take them wearing your wedding day heels.

Hollow to hem measurement
05

HOLLOW TO HEM

Stand upright wearing your wedding day heels. Place the tape at the hollow of your neck — the small dip at the center of your collarbone — and measure straight down to the floor. This single measurement determines the entire length of your gown.

IMPORTANT This measurement must be taken with the exact heel height you plan to wear. If you are undecided, use a 7–8 cm heel as reference and note the height.
Height
06

HEIGHT

Stand barefoot against a flat wall, head level, eyes looking straight ahead. Have your assistant mark the wall at the very top of your head and measure from the floor to that mark.

Always provide your barefoot height — we calculate heel allowance separately.

NOTE Measure in the morning when possible — height can vary by up to 1 cm throughout the day.
07

HEEL HEIGHT

Note the exact heel height (in cm) of the shoes you plan to wear on your wedding day. If you are undecided, provide your best estimate — you can confirm later.

Waist to floor
08

WAIST TO FLOOR

From your natural waist (use the ribbon from Step 03), measure straight down the side of your body to the floor. Take this measurement barefoot, standing naturally. This is used alongside Hollow to Hem to verify skirt proportion and train length.

PART III

Structural Measurements

These refine the fit of the bodice. Required for certain silhouettes and necklines.

09

SHOULDER WIDTH

Place the tape at the edge of one shoulder — the point where the shoulder meets the arm — and measure straight across the back to the same point on the other shoulder. Keep the tape parallel to the floor and close to the body.

NOTE Critical for off-shoulder, strapless, and cold-shoulder necklines. The tape crosses the upper back, not the front.
Shoulder width
Shoulder to bust
10

SHOULDER TO BUST

Starting from the midpoint of your shoulder strap (where a bra strap naturally rests), measure vertically down to the apex of your bust — the fullest point of the chest. This measurement determines how the bodice cups are positioned.

NOTE Wear your wedding-day bra or intended foundation garment when taking this measurement.
11

BACK WIDTH

With your arms relaxed at your sides, place the tape horizontally across the back, from the end of one armhole to the end of the other. The tape should sit midway between the shoulder and the waist, across the widest point of the back.

NOTE Essential for open-back, low-back, and lace-up styles. Ensures the bodice back panels sit correctly.
Back width
Arm circumference
12

ARM CIRCUMFERENCE

With your arm relaxed at your side, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your upper arm — the bicep. Keep the tape snug but not compressing. This measurement is required for long-sleeve, three-quarter sleeve, and fitted lace arm styles.

NOTE Only required if your chosen style has sleeves or fitted arm coverage. If your gown is sleeveless, you may skip this step.
✦

A NOTE ON PRECISION

Minor local tailoring is standard in couture. We recommend allowing time for a local fitting and any minor adjustments prior to your event date. For measurement questions, our team is available at info@valeriavaux.com.

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