The Dress

Maggie Sottero’s Bernadette in ivory over light gold.
The Swarovski crystals on this dress absolutely sold me the second I put it on. Slim line gown with button over zipper closure. This intricate lace gown features a beautiful high mandarin keyhole back and a fishtail train finished with scalloped edging. Swarovski crystals are delicately sprinkled throughout with rich decorative beading at the empire waist.
According to Maggie Sottero’s size chart, a size six dress measures: Bust: 34.5 Waist: 26.5 and Hips: 37
I was lucky enough to fit a size six almost perfectly so this dress is true to size. I am 5 foot 5 inches tall and my cowboy boots were one inch heels.

As far as alterations go, I had the boning taken out from the chest for a more natural cup. I wore a 34B sticky bra underneath for extra support. I wore cowboy boots, so the length was taken up and the delicate lace edging was reapplied to the ends. I also added a bustle which can be seen in the photos.
Minor imperfections: I noticed at the end of the night one thread for the button securing the neck of the keyhole back was broken. The button is still attached but the thread would need to be replaced. That would be very simple and easy to fix. (Unless the cleaners fixed that during the dry-cleaning process.)
Bernadette was professionally stored in the Gown Gallery’s temperature and light controlled warehouse for 9 months. I wore the dress on Saturday and by Monday morning it was at Premiere dry cleaners being professionally restored and stored in a box that does not let in light. It is in a smoke-free home that is temperature regulated.
I have not opened the sealed box containing the dress since it has been restored.