Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Jennifer:

You have your waist measurement, but now you need to measure your bust and hips. Dresses are sized by those three measurements used together.

You measure your bust in your bra, over the fullest part of the bust. You measure your hips low, at the very widest part of your hips and butt. Your waist, of course, is measured at the smallest part of your waist. Don't pull the measuring tape too tight. Then check the size chart in the catalog and buy the dress that is the next biggest size up from your measurements, not the next smallest.

Sometimes there are fit problems when buying online or from a catalog, so be prepared. Do this by making sure ahead of time that there's a good return policy for the catalog dress, and that you order it in enough time to scout a backup dress if necessary. Or you may decide to have your catalog dress altered, in which case you’ll need to budget extra time and money for this purpose.

Do your homework and you’ll be a happy catalog shopper!

Sincerely, Fashion Girl