Complete Sizing Guide For A Comfortable, Flattering Fit

Choosing the right size for your prom dress can feel more stressful than choosing the dress itself. One size fits your waist, another fits your hips, and your usual jeans size doesn’t match the size chart at all. On top of that, prom gowns are usually more fitted and structured than everyday clothes, so every inch matters.

This guide will walk you through how prom dress sizing really works, how to read a size chart, when to size up, and what to expect if you need alterations. Throughout, we will use Jovani’s experience with formalwear to help you feel more confident before you ever step into a fitting room.

As you read, you can keep an eye on styles you love in the main Prom Dresses collection and use this guide to narrow down which size to try first.

Why Prom Dress Sizes Feel So Different

The first shock most teens get is that their prom dress size is often not the same as their usual jean or T shirt size. That is completely normal.

Formal gowns, especially fitted styles like Mermaid Prom Dresses, are built more like tailored clothing than casual wear. They are designed to follow the body closely, support the bust, and hold their shape all night. That means:

Sizing runs based on bust, waist and hip measurements, not just height or weight.

Many girls end up wearing a number or two higher than their everyday size.

Each brand has its own size chart, and Jovani’s chart is based on our own patterns and fit models, not a generic standard.

So if you normally wear a size 4 in jeans but the size chart says you are closer to an 8 in a fitted gown, nothing is “wrong” with your body. You are just working with a different system.

Step One: Take Accurate Measurements

Before you even look at sizes, you need the three key measurements every prom dress is built around: bust, waist and hips. It is always better to measure than to guess.

Use a soft tape measure and either ask a parent, friend, or tailor to help you, or stand in front of a mirror. Wear a thin T shirt or the bra you plan to use with the dress.

Bust:

Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape straight across your back. Do not pull it too tight. You want a firm, comfortable measurement.

Waist:

Bend to the side a little and find the natural “crease” where your body folds. That is your true waist. Measure around that point. This is usually a bit above your belly button.

Hips:

Stand with your feet together. Measure around the fullest part of your hips and backside. This is often a little lower than where you think your “hips” are.

Write these numbers down and keep them handy while you browse Long Prom Dresses or Short Prom Dresses.

If you are unsure about measuring, you can also review Jovani’s dedicated guide on how to measure yourself for a prom gown and then come back to this sizing article to choose your size with more confidence.

How To Read A Prom Dress Size Chart

Once you have your measurements, compare them to the brand’s size chart. For Jovani, each size has a range of bust, waist, and hip numbers. Your goal is to find the size that best fits your largest measurement.

For example:

If your bust matches a size 6, but your hips are closer to a size 8, a fitted style like a Tight Prom Dress will usually fit better in the size 8.

If you are choosing an A Line Prom Dress or a ball gown, the skirt is more forgiving, so the bust and waist will be more important than the hip.

It is completely normal to land between sizes. Prom gowns are made to be altered, so choosing the size that fits the snuggest area of your body and then tailoring the rest is the smartest approach.

Should You Size Up Or Size Down?

If your measurements fall between two sizes, most teens wonder:
Should I get the smaller size so it is extra fitted or the larger size for safety?

In formalwear, it is usually safer to size up just a little rather than squeeze into something too tight.

Here is why:

It is much easier for a tailor to take a dress in at the sides than to let it out.

A dress that is too small can pull at the zipper, gape at the bust, or ride up when you sit and dance.

For structured Ball Gowns Prom Dresses, you want the bodice to sit smoothly on your torso, not strain.

The only time you might consider the smaller size is if:

The dress is made in a very stretchy fabric, like some Jersey Prom Dresses.

You are only half an inch off and you already know you prefer a very close fit.

Even then, you want to be able to zip, sit, and breathe without fighting your dress. Feeling comfortable and secure in your gown will make you look more confident in every photo.

Different Silhouettes, Different Fit

Not every prom dress style fits the same way. The silhouette you choose can change which measurement matters most when picking your size.

A line and flowy gowns:

Styles like many Flowy Prom Dresses and classic ball gowns are fitted at the top and looser at the bottom. For these, bust and waist are the key numbers. Hips have more room and are rarely tight.

Fitted and mermaid gowns:

Mermaid Prom Dresses and other body hugging styles follow the curves of your bust, waist, and hips. For these, always choose the size that matches your largest area, usually hips, then tailor the rest.

Short prom styles:

Many Short Prom Dresses are either fitted like a cocktail dress or looser and skater style. Again, if the skirt is full, focus on the waist. If the skirt is tight, pay attention to hip measurements.

Thinking about silhouette while you browse different categories will help you understand how much “forgiveness” you have in each style.

Sizing Tips For Plus Size And Curvy Teens

If you are curvy or wear plus sizes, you deserve a size that supports you, flatters you, and feels beautiful. The process is the same, but a few details are extra important.

When you look at Extended Size Prom Dresses, focus on:

Support in the bust:

Look for built in structure and straps or sleeves if you want more security. A dress that fits correctly in the bust and waist will keep everything in place so you can dance without worrying.

Room at the hips and thighs:

If your hips are several inches larger than your bust, consider a more forgiving skirt like an A line shape from the main Prom Dresses Collection or a flowy style that skims instead of clings.

Professional alterations:

Curvy girls often get the best result by sizing for the largest measurement and having a tailor bring the rest of the dress in. This balances shape without squishing any area.

Jovani creates curvy and plus size prom gowns in fashion forward designs, not just basic styles in bigger sizes. With the right size and a few small adjustments, your dress will look like it was made just for you.

Common Prom Dress Sizing Mistakes To Avoid

To save yourself stress, try to avoid these very common sizing mistakes:

Buying based only on your usual street size

Never pick a size just because that is what you wear in jeans. Always use the brand’s size chart.

Ignoring one of your measurements:

If your bust and hips are in two different sizes, do not pretend one does not exist. Your dress has to fit your whole body.

Choosing a tight size “for motivation”:

Ordering a smaller dress because you plan to lose weight before prom can backfire and create more stress. It is better to buy the size that fits your body now.

Ordering too late to alter:

Even the best fitting gown might need a shorter hem or slightly tightened straps. Leaving time for a seamstress to help you is part of choosing the right size.

Forgetting about shoes:

Your heel height changes how a long gown falls. When browsing Long Prom Dresses, remember that the length is made for typical heel heights and may need to be hemmed.

When To Order And How Alterations Fit Into Sizing

Once you have picked a style and chosen a size using the chart, try to order early enough to give yourself a comfortable time window. Many teens start shopping when new collections hit the affordable Prom Dresses section or when they see new distinctive Prom Dress arrive in stores.

A good timeline looks like this:

3 to 4 months before prom:

Start browsing and narrow down your favorite silhouettes and colors.

2 to 3 months before prom:

Visit an authorized Jovani retailer, try on multiple sizes in similar styles, and place your order.

4 to 6 weeks before prom:

Schedule alterations. A typical fitting will focus on tightening straps, shaping the waist, and hemming the length so you can walk and dance without stepping on your skirt.

Remember, even a dress that technically “fits” right out of the box will usually look more custom and flattering after small adjustments. That is normal for formalwear and part of why sizing up slightly is often the smartest choice.

How Should A Jovani Prom Dress Feel When It Is The Right Size?

When you zip up the right size Jovani gown and step in front of the mirror, you should notice a few things right away:

The bodice sits flat against your chest and does not gap or crush.

You can take a deep breath without feeling trapped.

The waist sits where it is supposed to on the design and does not ride up or sag.

If the skirt is fitted, it follows your curves but does not pull at the seams when you walk or sit.

You feel secure enough to dance, reach for a hug, and pose for photos without constantly adjusting your dress.

When a dress fits like this, you stop thinking about it and start enjoying your night. That is the real goal of good sizing.

Why Trust Jovani For Prom Dress Fit?

Jovani has dressed generations of teens for prom, pageants, and red carpet events. Each style in our Prom Dresses lineup is designed with real bodies in mind, from sleek fitted gowns to full A Line Prom Dresses and dramatic Prom Ball Gowns. Our patterns, fabrics, and internal structure are created so that, once you choose the right size and make simple alterations, your dress looks and feels like it was made just for you.

If you are still unsure between two sizes, an authorized Jovani boutique can help you compare fits in person and guide you toward the size that gives you the best balance of comfort and shape.

Final Step: Choose Your Size, Then Find Your Dream Dress

Now that you understand how sizing works, you are ready to:

Take your bust, waist, and hip measurements.

Compare them to the size chart for your favorite styles.

Choose the size that fits your largest measurement.

Plan for small alterations to perfect the fit.

When you are ready to start shopping, explore all the silhouettes, fabrics, and color options in the full Prom Dresses Collection and find the Jovani prom gowns that feels just right for your night.