Marlowe and Tatum Fit Questions: A Bridal Sizing FAQ

Quick answer

Order the size that matches your largest current measurement, not the size you plan to be, and treat corsetry as support rather than a guarantee of a perfect fit. If your date is tight, compare the 6 to 8 week made-to-order lead time on the Wave skirt with in-stock or faster pieces before you fall in love with a silhouette.

Fit is the part of bridal shopping that causes the most second-guessing, especially when you are comparing two dresses you have only seen online. This FAQ answers the fit and sizing questions we hear most often, without pretending every body follows the same chart.

Use it alongside your measurements and your wedding date. Where a specification is not listed, we say so rather than guess, because bridal decisions are expensive to reverse.

How do I choose a size when I am between two?

Start with your current bust, waist, and hip measurements, then match to the larger size when you fall between two. A dress can be taken in more easily than it can be let out, and this is especially true around a structured bodice. Take measurements over the undergarments you plan to wear, keep the tape level, and measure twice.

If you are actively changing your training routine or expect significant change before the date, say so when you order. That context matters more than a single number on a chart.

• Measure at the end of the day, when your body is at its most natural size.
• Write measurements down with the date so you can compare later.

Does corsetry mean I can skip sizing up?

No. Boning and structure shape and support a garment, but they do not replace correct sizing. A structured bodice that is too small will pull, gap, or sit uncomfortably no matter how well it is built. Corsetry is a design feature, not a fit shortcut.

This is why structured pieces deserve an honest measurement session before ordering rather than a hopeful guess based on streetwear size.

• Expect structure to hold a shape, not to create a new one.
• If a bodice feels tight across the back, that is a sizing signal, not a styling one.

How far ahead should I order a made-to-order piece?

Made-to-order pieces need real calendar space. The Wave skirt, for example, is made to order with a lead time of 6 to 8 weeks, so it should be ordered with that window plus shipping and any alterations in mind. If your date is close, that timeline may rule it out.

Build in a buffer for fittings after delivery. Even a well-sized dress often needs small adjustments, and those appointments take time to schedule.

• Count backwards from your date, not forwards from today.
• Ask about current lead times before you commit to a timeline.

Can I mix separates instead of choosing one dress?

Yes, and it is often the most flexible route. A top and skirt let you size each half separately, which helps when your upper and lower body measurements point to different sizes. It also gives you two looks for the price of considered shopping rather than one fixed silhouette.

The tradeoff is coordination: you need to check that waistbands, lengths, and fabric weights work together before you buy, not after.

• Compare waistband height on the top and skirt before ordering.
• Ask whether the pieces are designed to be worn together.

Bridal fit checklist before you order

Measure, then measure again

Take bust, waist, and hip measurements over your planned undergarments and record the date. Order to the larger size when you are between two.

Confirm the lead time against your date

Made-to-order pieces such as the Wave skirt carry a 6 to 8 week lead time before shipping and alterations. If your date is inside that window, choose a different piece.

Plan for alterations, not perfection

Even a correctly sized dress may need small adjustments after delivery. Book your fitting window before the dress arrives.

Catalog details that affect fit

• Wave skirt: Made to order, with a lead time of 6 to 8 weeks, long skirt in crepe and chiffon with a slightly flared, mermaid-inspired silhouette, side cutouts, a thin waistband, and no train. The 6 to 8 week lead time should be planned against your wedding date, and the thin waistband means the fit at the waist is the key measurement to get right.
• Naomi: Dress entirely made of crepe satin with an asymmetrical cowl neck, a bias top draped around the chest, and a boning structure holding it in place. The boning supports the draped bodice, so the fit depends on accurate bust and underbust measurements rather than on the drape alone.
• Patsy: Long sleeve jumpsuit with straight pants in crepe cady, an embroidered floral lace top with nude tulle lining, a boat neckline, and a U-shaped open back. Straight pants and a defined neckline mean rise and torso length matter as much as waist size, so measure your torso before ordering.

Good bridal fit comes from honest measurements and a realistic timeline, not from hoping a structured dress will adapt. Measure carefully, respect the made-to-order window, and leave room for alterations so the final fitting is calm rather than rushed.