The dress is beautiful, especially the beading. And I LOVE that it has pockets!! I bought it November 2013 at a Brides Against Breast Cancer event to wear at my wedding before I had picked a date. Then I picked a date in August in Texas. Even though this dress has an open top and would be great for warm weather, I decided I would probably feel more comfortable in a lighter weight, tea length dress, so I did not wear this dress. For a ball gown, this dress is decently light weight.
The Brides Against Breast Cancer event had both new and used dresses. The staff assured me this one was new, and it still has tags. It was donated by a store that went out of business. They told me the beading at the waist and on the shoulder straps was done by hand in Italy. I was the first person at the event, so I was the only one to try it on that day. I don't know if it was tried on at the store, but it looks in pristine condition to me. I know it was tried on by a model for a news promo on the local channel (she told me herself).
There is a barely noticeable makeup mark on the v-neck. I can send you a picture if you would like.
I'm a size 4 normally, but this was a little big in the bust for me and the straps were too long. I took it to a seamstress to see how much it would cost to have the bust and the straps taken in, and she quoted me $75. I did not have the alterations done. For your reference, my bra size is 34B, and there was definitely more room in the cup.
