Choosing a dress size starts with your measurements, not the size label you usually wear. Measure your bust, natural waist, and hips, compare those numbers with the body chart, then check the product measurements for the exact dress. Body measurements describe you; product measurements describe the finished garment.
Before you measure
Use a flexible tape measure and wear the bra or undergarments you expect to wear with the dress. Stand naturally, keep the tape parallel to the floor, and snug it against your body without pulling it tight. If possible, ask someone to help check that the tape stays level across your back.
Take each measurement twice and write it down. RWJ Curve size charts use inches. To convert centimeters to inches, divide by 2.54; to convert inches to centimeters, multiply by 2.54.
How to measure bust, waist, and hips
1. Bust
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust and across your back. Keep your arms relaxed and the tape level. Do not compress the bust by tightening the tape.
2. Natural waist
Measure around your natural waist, where your torso creases when you bend gently to one side. Keep the tape comfortably close; do not pull in your stomach or let the tape dip at the back.
3. Hips
Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat. Check in a mirror or ask someone to make sure the tape is level all the way around.
Compare your measurements with the body chart
Use the ranges below to find where your body measurements fall. These are body measurements in inches, not the dimensions of a finished dress.
| Size | US Size | Bust (in) | Waist (in) | Hip (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | 10–12 | 38.6–40.9 | 32.3–34.6 | 42.5–44.9 |
| XL | 14–16 | 40.9–43.3 | 34.6–37.0 | 44.9–47.2 |
| 2XL | 16–18 | 43.3–45.7 | 37.0–39.4 | 47.2–49.6 |
| 3XL | 18–20 | 45.7–48.0 | 39.4–41.7 | 49.6–52.0 |
Your bust, waist, and hip measurements may land in different rows, and some ranges meet at a boundary. Note all three before choosing; do not average them into one number. The body chart is a starting point, while the cut and measurements of the individual dress help you make the final comparison.
Then check the measurements for the exact dress
Open the Size Guide on the product page and read its Product Chart. A product chart measures the garment itself; it is not another body-size chart. A finished dress can measure differently from your body because of its shape, construction, and intended room to move. Use the fit notes for that style as well.
For example, the RWJ 6405 Burgundy wrap maxi dress has its own Size Guide. Its L garment bust is listed as 43.3 inches, while the shared Body Chart gives an L bust range of 38.6–40.9 inches. Those figures describe different things: one is the finished dress and the other is the person wearing it. Compare the full product chart and style details rather than using that single number as a size recommendation.
What if your measurements fall between two sizes?
When your measurements point to more than one row, use the product chart and the style’s construction to decide what to compare next. For a deeper guide to weighing measurements and fit details, read Between Sizes? How to Choose a Plus-Size Dress That Fits.
Quick measurement checklist
- Measure bust, natural waist, and fullest hip/seat with the tape level.
- Record all three measurements in inches, or convert centimeters by dividing by 2.54.
- Use the Body Chart for your body, then the Product Chart and fit notes for the exact dress.
A careful set of measurements gives you a clearer starting point. The Size Guide on each RWJ Curve product page provides the style-specific details to use alongside them.