Figure Skating Dress Size Guide

Last updated: 29 October 2026

Why we do not use a size chart

A size chart answers the question "which ready-made size is closest?" — which is the right question for a dress hanging on a rack, and the wrong one for a dress that is cut after you order. Every dress on this site is made to six body measurements, so the chart is replaced by a tape measure and about five minutes. You do not need a second person for most of it, but one helps with the back measurements.

The six numbers we cut from

Height

Standing straight against a wall, no shoes, from the floor to the top of the head. This sets the overall proportion of the dress, especially the skirt length.

Weight

Just a sanity check against the other numbers — fabrics stretch differently at different weights, and it helps us flag a measurement that looks accidental.

Girth (torso loop)

The most important number, and the one people get wrong most often. Take the tape over one shoulder, down the front through the crotch, and up the back to the starting point — a full loop, like a swimsuit strap. Keep it snug against the body, not loose. If this number is off, the bodice rides up in a spin no matter how perfect everything else is.

Bust

Around the fullest part, tape level all the way round, arms down. Measure over the bra or leotard the skater will actually wear under the dress.

Waist

At the natural waist — the narrowest point, usually just above the belly button — not where jeans sit. Tape snug but not tight; the skater should breathe normally.

Hips

Around the fullest part of the hips and seat, usually about 20 cm below the waist. This is what keeps the skirt from pulling in a camel spin.

Measuring a child who is still growing

Measure the child exactly as above — do not add "room to grow" to the numbers themselves. We keep seam allowance in the bodice and can let the dress out later; that works far better than a dress cut big, which sags at the waist and catches air in jumps. Girls sizes are the hardest fit in the sport precisely because two nine-year-olds can be built completely differently, which is why we cut each dress to its own numbers. When a growth spurt is expected, say so in the order notes and we will tell you how much allowance we left.

Four mistakes that cause most refits

• Girth measured loosely. The loop should rest against the body. An extra 4-5 cm here is the classic "bodice rides up" dress.
• Jeans waist instead of natural waist. Measure where the tape sits when you bend sideways — that crease is the natural waist.
• Measuring over a thick hoodie. Measure over the underlayer that will be worn under the dress.
• Rounding up "to be safe". Send the real number, even if it is not a round one. We cut what you send, and the 30-day free alteration window is there for the unexpected.

If your numbers are bigger than any size chart

This is the case a size chart handles worst, and the case our process barely notices. A ready-made range usually stops at an XL drafted around a 38-40 inch bust, and anything above that is graded up by a percentage — which is exactly where the armhole cuts in, the waistline climbs and the bust dart ends up pointing at the armpit. Drafting has no such cliff: a 44 inch bust and a 51 inch hip are simply a different set of numbers on the same table, and the bodice gets an underbust seam or an inner support band instead of more width.

Nothing changes about the order either — no sizing surcharge and the same 12-35 day lead time, because the dress was never going to be picked off a rack. If you want to see the fit on skaters with those numbers before you measure yourself, the plus size figure skating dresses page has customer photos with the measurements behind each one.

After you order

You can send the numbers in the checkout notes, or email them afterwards — we confirm them with you before anything is cut, and we will question a number that does not look right rather than guess. If the tape part feels intimidating, order a free virtual try-on first, then send the design when you are ready.