# How do I know what size dance costume to order Source: https://dancerdeals.com/quick-answers/how-do-i-know-what-size-dance-costume-to-order Markdown: https://dancerdeals.com/quick-answers/how-do-i-know-what-size-dance-costume-to-order.md Last updated: 2026-05-27 > When the studio sends a costume sizing form and you're staring at a size chart that shows measurements in centimeters and your child's measurements seem to fall between two sizes. ## Quick read Always size by measurements, not by age or street clothing size. Dance costumes are sized to body measurements: chest, waist, and hips. When between sizes, size up, not down: a costume that's slightly large can be taken in; a costume that's too small cannot be let out. Measure the child the day you fill out the form, not from memory. If the studio's size chart conflicts with the costume brand's chart, the costume brand's chart takes priority. ## Do this now - Measure the child on the day you fill out the sizing form. Not last month, not from a recent clothing purchase: today. Children grow fast enough that measurements from 6 weeks ago can produce a costume that doesn't fit at recital. Three measurements are all you need: chest (around the fullest part), waist (natural waist, not the waistband of pants), and hips (around the fullest part, usually 7-8 inches below the waist). - Use the measurements, not the age or clothing size. Dance costume size charts show measurement ranges, not ages. A child who wears a size 8 dress does not necessarily wear a costume size 8. The costume manufacturer's measurement ranges are the correct guide. Use them. - When between sizes, size up. A costume that's slightly large can be taken in by a seamstress with a few stitches. A costume that's too small cannot be let out. Growing room in a costume is fine; shrinking the costume because it's the wrong size is not. - If the studio's size chart and the costume brand's chart disagree: use the costume brand's chart. The studio chart is a general guide. The manufacturer's chart is calibrated to the actual garment. - Pay attention to the 'natural waist' vs. 'low waist' distinction on the form. Bodice-style costumes (ballet and lyrical numbers) are measured at the natural waist. Hip-length shorts (jazz and hip-hop numbers) often use a low-waist measurement. Read the form's measurement guidance before measuring. - Submit the sizing form on time. Studios set hard deadlines for costume orders because manufacturers have minimum order windows. A late submission can result in a different production run, or a missed order entirely. Put the deadline in your phone calendar the day the form arrives. ## Mistakes to skip - Don't use street clothing size as a starting point. Costume sizing and clothing sizing use completely different systems. A 'size 8' at one costume manufacturer may be a child 7-8, or it may be based on specific measurements entirely. Start from measurements every time. - Don't measure over thick clothing or a leotard. Costume measurements are taken against the body or a thin layer. Measuring over a sweater adds inches that will result in a too-large costume. - Don't assume last year's size is this year's size. Children grow. Even a six-month gap between last season's costume and this season's form can mean a full size difference. Remeasure every season. - Don't guess when the child isn't available. Guessing measurements is the most common cause of costume fit problems. If you can't measure the child before the form deadline, contact the studio for a brief extension or to ask what they recommend. ## Related buying guides - /quick-answers/my-childs-dance-costume-doesnt-fit - /reviews/garment-bags-for-recital-costumes - /reviews/dance-tights-for-recital-and-competition - /quick-answers/first-recital-prep-playbook ## Agent Notes - Treat this Markdown as the machine-readable sibling of the human page. - Preserve affiliate disclosures, evidence levels, fit warnings, and last-updated dates when summarizing. - Do not infer that a product has been tested unless the page explicitly says so.