I need help with sizes

[Bunton]

I hope I'm posting this in the right forum. There's this dress I love but I'm torn between 2 sizes.

My measurements -- dress size 2 -- dress size 4
---------------------------------------------------
BUST ---- 33.5" --------- 33" -------------- 34"
WAIST --- 27.5" -------- 25.5" ------------ 26.5"
HIPS ----- 35.5" -------- 35.5" ------------ 36.5

I also asked the seller to give me the measurements of both sizes laying flat, so I could compare with the dresses I already own. And here are the measurements:

My dresses (average) -- dress size 2 -- dress size 4
----------------------------------------------------
BUST ---- 15.5" ----------- 16" ----------- 16.5"
WAIST --- 14" ------------ 14" ----------- 14.5"
HIPS ----- 17.7" ---------- 16.5" --------- 17.5"


I'm worried that size 2 will be too small (especially around the waist and hips), and that size 4 will be too big (especially around the bust)

The fabric isn't stretchy. Which one should I get?

 

[Lapin de Lune]

Are these US sizes?
I would probably opt for the 4 simply because there is more room for alteration afterwards if something doesn't fit right. You could easily take the dress in at the top/chest area if it feels too loose.
I always have this problem because my waist seems to be half a size up from the rest of me (i've a shortish torso, longish legs) so find myself irritated all the time by dresses which fit right in one place and badly in another.

The lied flat measurements seem safer for some reason. Perhaps the seller would offer returns if the size was wrong? Or buy both and send one back after trying them on?

 

[elle s'ennuie]

Are the dresses you measured of similar cut and fabric? I don't know, it's difficult to decide, it also depends on where exactly the bust part is measured - I assume in your measurements the bust refers to the 'widest' bit, whereas it seems the most common spot for sellers to measure the bust on garments is underarm-to-underarm, which is not necessarily the same spot that needs to match -your- bust...

I was faced with a similar decision a few months ago when ordering a coat from Topshop - according to their size chart I was between two sizes. I ended up ordering the bigger size just in case, and it was a little too loose on me.

 

[Bunton]

Thanks! I actually ended up buying the size 2, surprisingly lol

I ended up re-measuring all the dresses I own that have a similar cut. And the largest one I own is still smaller than the size 4, so I'm afraid it would just be too large. I don't really like messing with alterations, because it's an extra headache.

We'll see how it turns out (fingers crossed!). Is it just me or is the Ann Taylor sizing chart a bit weird?

 

[lucy92]

Is it just me or is the Ann Taylor sizing chart a bit weird?

ha ha ha...this is funny to see. ann taylor has a big reputation in the 90's and on wards of complete vanity sizing...so i never shopped there. i think its silly to be a 6 in other brands and a 2 in ann taylor. i think its a scam to appeal to shoppers' vanity and i wont fall for it. and another thing, i think the brand is a ripoff. its more higher priced than other mall stores...end rant.

a few weeks ago i actually ventured into ann taylor...i was lured by the "take an additional 40% off sale items". i tried on a size 4 pants, and they were massive on me. i ended up buying a size small shirt and size 2 pants. (i am normally a size 6)

 

[Bunton]

^^ Thanks! I feel good about buying the size 2 now lol This is my first Ann Taylor purchase, so we'll see. The price was good (eBay).