Split Sizing for Wedding Dresses: Your Complete FAQ Guide
- jmajors
- Nov 17
- 4 min read
For many brides, finding the perfect wedding dress is more than about the right style, it’s about the right fit. At J. Major’s Bridal Boutique, we help hundreds of brides each year navigate sizing, alterations, and special order options. One of the most common topics we explain during appointments is split sizing.
This guide answers the questions our brides ask most, framed with expert insights from our experienced bridal stylists, seamstresses, and decades of fit knowledge.
What Is Split Sizing?
Split sizing is a special ordering option that allows brides to choose two different sizes for the bodice and the skirt of a wedding gown. For example: ordering a size 10 top with a size 14 bottom.
Designers offer this customization, for a fee, to help accommodate brides whose measurements don’t align perfectly with one standard size.
Why Do Brides Need Split Sizing?
Many women are not the same numerical size on top and bottom and that’s perfectly normal. Wedding dress size charts often don’t match streetwear sizing, which can make the gap feel even more noticeable.
Brides may choose split sizing when:
Their bust or ribcage measures smaller than their hips
The dress is structured and requires precision at the bodice
They want to reduce major alterations on one half of the gown
They’re choosing a silhouette like mermaid, fit-and-flare, or sheath where the hip measurement is crucial
Using split sizing ensures a more customized starting point before alterations begin.
Is Split Sizing Available for All Wedding Dresses?
Not always. Availability depends entirely on the designer.
Some bridal labels offer:
Full split sizing (top and bottom can be different)
Limited split sizing (small range between sizes)
No split sizing (single size only)
At J. Major’s, our stylists guide each bride through which designers offer this option so you can make an informed decision before saying “yes” to your dress.
Does Split Sizing Cost More?
In many cases, yes. Designers often charge an additional fee for split sizing because it requires custom pattern adjustments. The additional cost varies by brand, but your stylist will always outline these details before ordering so there are no surprises.
For many brides, the fee is still less expensive than the cost of altering a gown dramatically to accommodate differing measurements.
How Accurate Do My Measurements Need to Be?
Extremely accurate, and that’s where our expertise comes in.
When ordering split sizes, J. Major’s stylists take precise bust, waist, and hip measurements to ensure both halves of the gown are chosen correctly. Because wedding gowns are structured garments, even small variations can impact the final fit.
We rely on:
Years of designer specific experience
Fit knowledge based on each gown’s construction
Understanding of how seam allowances work during alterations
This is part of the expert guidance brides expect from a boutique that has been fitting wedding dresses since 1984.
Will I Still Need Alterations If I Order Split Sizes?
Yes. Split sizing improves the starting fit but does not replace alterations.
Brides will almost always still need:
Bust shaping
Hem adjustments
Strap or sleeve adjustments
Train length tweaks
Potential waist refinements
Your gown is built like a couture garment and alterations ensure it molds perfectly to your body before your wedding day.
Does Split Sizing Make Alterations Cheaper?
Not necessarily cheaper, but often more efficient and more accurate.
Split sizing reduces the amount of reconstruction required at the bodice or hips, which can save time or prevent more complex tailoring. It also helps preserve the gown’s original proportions, which can make the alteration process smoother.
How Do I Know If I Should Choose Split Sizing?
You may be a good candidate if:
There’s a two size difference between your top and bottom
You’re choosing a fitted silhouette
You prefer precision up front rather than more alterations later
Your J. Major’s stylist recommends it based on the designer’s pattern
During your appointment, our team will walk you through the measurements, the designer chart, and the best option for your body and your gown.
Can Plus-Size Brides Use Split Sizing?
Absolutely, and many do. Split sizing can offer excellent fit customization for curvier brides, especially when the hip measurement falls several sizes above the bust. J. Major’s carries inclusive sizing options, and our team has extensive experience fitting plus-size brides beautifully.
What Happens If Split Sizing Isn’t Available for My Dress?
If your chosen designer doesn’t offer split sizing, you can still handle the adjustments through alterations. Experienced seamstresses specialize in reshaping gowns while maintaining structure, proportion, and comfort.
Is Split Sizing the Same as doing a Custom Gown?
No, split sizing is not the same as ordering a custom gown.
Split sizing simply allows you to choose one size for the bodice and another size for the skirt.
Custom gowns involve changes to the pattern itself, such as adjusting length beyond standard options, modifying structure, changing design elements, or creating measurements entirely unique to you.
Split sizing helps create a better starting fit, but it does not make a gown fully custom.
Final Thoughts: Why Expert Guidance Matters
Split sizing is one of many ways J. Major’s Bridal Boutique ensures brides feel confident and supported from their first fitting to their walk down the aisle. With over 40 years of experience, a carefully curated selection of designers, and a team skilled in bridal fit, we help you choose the best path for your gown, whether that includes split sizing or not.
If you’re unsure whether you need split sizing, our stylists will guide you through every measurement and explain your options clearly. Your dress should feel made for you, and our job is to make that happen.