Portia and Scarlett PS26136 Strapless Corset Prom

Portia and Scarlett PS26136 Red prom dress front view strapless sweetheart fitted corset gown with high slit and satin skirt short hoco dance dress

Portia and Scarlett PS26136 Sweetheart Satin Fitted Gown with Sweep Train

$ 10,909

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Color :

Red

Size :

Color :

Red

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a strapless bra with PS26136, or does the corset bodice give enough support on its own?

The corset bodice on PS26136 is built with visible boning channels running through the bodice, which means it is structurally designed to support you without an additional bra. For most customers with a B or C cup, the boning and the fitted bodice provide enough hold that a separate bra is unnecessary and can actually cause fit problems — a strapless bra adds bulk under a tightly boned bodice and can shift the silhouette. For a D cup or larger, whether you need supplemental support is a personal preference. Some customers feel fully secure in the boned corset alone; others prefer the additional lift of a sticky bra or a low-profile adhesive option. If you want to test this before your event, do a dry run at home — put the dress on, move around, sit down, stand up, and walk a flight of stairs. That tells you more than any general guidance. Avoid a traditional underwire strapless bra with this gown. The underwire sits at a different position than the boning channels and the two structures compete rather than complement each other. If you want added support, a seamstress can sew in a bra cup insert at the chest — this is a standard alteration for structured gowns and adds support without changing the external line of the dress. For the high slit, shapewear underneath is a personal choice.

Does Portia and Scarlett PS26136 run true to size, and how do I figure out which size to order?

Portia and Scarlett PS26136 is a structured corset gown, so sizing works a little differently than a loose or flowy dress. The boning in the bodice means the bodice size is fixed — it will not stretch or give the way a jersey or chiffon gown might. That makes getting the measurements right more important than usual. Start by taking three measurements: your full bust (around the fullest part), your natural waist (the narrowest point, usually an inch or two above the navel), and your hips (around the fullest part, typically about eight inches below the waist). Use a fabric measuring tape and take each measurement twice to make sure they match. Wear whatever undergarments you plan to wear with the dress. Portia and Scarlett sizing runs fairly true to the brand's size chart, but the corset bodice means you need to match your measurements to the chart exactly rather than rounding down for a snugger fit. If your measurements fall between sizes, size up — the corset lacing at the back gives you a small amount of adjustment room, but not enough to recover from a bodice that is too small to close properly. If you size up at the hips or waist and the bust is slightly generous, a seamstress can take in the side seams of the bodice. Height matters here too. PS26136 has a sweep train, so if you are under about 5'4" without heels, you will likely need a hem. The gown is designed for a heel, so factor in the height of your shoe when you decide how much to alter. Most brides and prom customers who are petite end up removing two to four inches, but this will depend on your heel height and your preference for how the train falls. If your bust and hips are two or more sizes apart on the chart, a split-size alteration (taking in or letting out one area while keeping the other as-is) is a standard tailoring job. Bring your measurements and the size chart to a local seamstress before you order if you are unsure — it is easier to order the right size than to alter a corset bodice significantly after the fact. For personalized sizing help, the Marlas team is available to go over your measurements with you before you place your order.

What events and occasions is Portia and Scarlett PS26136 actually right for?

Portia and Scarlett PS26136 is designed for prom first. The strapless sweetheart corset bodice, the high front slit, the statement bow at the hip, and the sweep train all add up to a high-impact look that suits a formal dance environment. It photographs well under event lighting in all three colorways — Black, Emerald, and Red — which is part of what makes it a strong prom choice. Beyond prom, PS26136 works for other formal evening events where a fitted long gown is appropriate. A formal gala, a charity dinner with a black-tie-adjacent dress code, or a formal evening awards event are all realistic settings. The gown is structured and polished, so it fits those environments without looking out of place. For occasions where the dress code is more conservative — a formal wedding as a guest, for example — PS26136 is a more personal call. The high slit and the sweetheart neckline give it a bold, fashion-forward look that works in some wedding contexts and may feel too statement-making in others. If the wedding is outdoors, on a beach, or more relaxed in tone, this gown is probably too dramatic. If the wedding is a large formal evening event and you are comfortable being noticed, it could work — but that judgment belongs to you, knowing the event and the couple. PS26136 is not the right choice for a mother of the bride or a more conservative formal occasion. The silhouette is specifically youthful and prom-coded, and it reads that way in person. For quinceañera events, the fitted silhouette is not the traditional over-the-top ballgown style that the occasion usually calls for, so this gown is not a natural fit there. In practical terms: prom, formal dances, evening galas, and formal evening events are where PS26136 performs best. If you are deciding between this and a less dramatic gown for a multi-occasion wardrobe, this one is the statement piece, not the versatile backdrop. All three colorways — Black, Emerald, Red — are available at Marlas Fashions. Marlas is an authorized Portia and Scarlett retailer and every dress is inspected before it ships.

I'm 5'2" — will I need to hem PS26136, and can a regular seamstress do it?

Yes, most customers under about 5'5" will need to hem PS26136. The gown has a sweep train, which means even at the intended wearing height (typically around 5'7" to 5'9" with heels factored in), the back of the dress trails behind you. If you are shorter, the front hem will also puddle, which affects both the look and the safety of walking. Before you go to the seamstress, put on the shoes you plan to wear to the event. Hem length is always measured with the final shoe, so wearing a different heel height to the fitting changes the outcome. A standard alteration for a petite customer on a long gown with a train is to shorten the front hem to a clean floor-grazing length while keeping a small amount of sweep at the back. This preserves the silhouette without the tripping hazard. A regular seamstress who has worked with formal gowns can handle this alteration. The satin fabric is smooth and can show pin marks or uneven stitching if the work is rushed, so ask to see examples of previous formal gown hemming if you are using someone new. The high slit will also need to be factored into the front hem alteration — the seamstress should assess both together. Allow at least two weeks before your event for the alteration and a fitting. Three weeks is better. Last-minute hemming on satin increases the risk of errors.

Is PS26136 comfortable enough to wear for a full prom night — dinner, dancing, photos?

The fitted corset silhouette means this is not a lounging dress — it holds you in, and you will feel that. Most customers find that the boned bodice feels secure and supportive rather than restrictive once the gown is properly fitted, but it does require the right size. A corset bodice that is one size too small will feel tight and uncomfortable all night; one that fits correctly feels structured but not suffocating. The high slit is the key detail that makes dancing and movement practical. Without it, a fitted long gown would be very limiting. With the slit, you have enough range of motion to walk, sit, dance, and move on a staircase without pulling the fabric. The sweep train is light rather than dramatic, so it moves with you and does not catch underfoot during regular event movement. For a full night of wearing — dinner seated, photos standing, dancing — the main factors are: that the bodice is the right size, that the shoes are broken in or low enough to be comfortable over several hours, and that you have done a movement test at home before the event. Sit in the dress. Walk across the room. Bend to pick something up. If all of that feels manageable, the gown will hold up through the night. The satin fabric does not breathe as freely as chiffon or jersey, so if you run warm, that is worth factoring in.

How does the color look in person — does Black, Emerald, or Red photograph well at prom?

All three colorways of PS26136 — Black, Emerald, and Red — photograph well under event lighting, but they each behave differently. Black is the most reliable under a wide range of lighting conditions. It reads consistently in photos whether the event lighting is warm or cool, and the satin sheen picks up light without washing out. It is the most versatile of the three if you are undecided. Emerald is a rich, saturated jewel tone. In person it is vivid and deep — not a light or muted green. Under event lighting it photographs with a strong color payoff. If you want a color that reads distinctly in a group photo or a crowd, Emerald delivers that. In natural light it is warmer; under flash or LED event lighting it tends to look slightly more intense. Red on PS26136 is bold and high-contrast against both light and dark skin tones. It photographs strongly under flash. In person it is a true red — not wine, not coral. If red is your color and you want maximum impact, this colorway works well for that. For all three colorways, the rhinestone embellishment on the mesh midsection panel catches light at the event, which adds sparkle that does not always translate fully in standard product photography. In person, that detail reads more prominently than it may appear in the images.

How do I care for PS26136 after the event — can it be cleaned, stored, or taken on a plane?

For cleaning after the event, satin should be handled by a professional dry cleaner with experience in formal gowns. Do not machine wash or hand wash satin — water and agitation can leave watermarks or distort the fabric's sheen. Take the gown in as soon as possible after the event; the longer stains from sweat, deodorant, or makeup sit in satin, the harder they are to remove. When you bring it to the cleaner, point out any specific areas — hem contact with the floor, the underarm panels of the bodice, and any spots from the evening. The beading and rhinestones on the mesh panel should be noted too, so the cleaner handles that area carefully. For storage, keep the gown in a breathable garment bag (fabric, not plastic). Hang it by the interior hanging loops — do not let the weight of the train hang from the fabric itself for extended periods. If you are storing it longer term, lay it flat in an acid-free box rather than keeping it compressed on a hanger. For travel on a plane, the safest approach is to carry the gown as a garment bag in the overhead bin if the airline allows it. Satin can wrinkle when compressed in a suitcase. If you must pack it, fold it as few times as possible with tissue paper between the folds, and plan to steam it lightly on arrival. Do not iron satin directly — use a steamer or a pressing cloth.

What shoes and jewelry work best with PS26136?

PS26136 is a statement gown — the corset bodice, the bow, the slit, and the train are all doing a lot. The strongest styling approach is to keep accessories minimal so the dress stays the focal point. For shoes, a strappy heeled sandal is the most natural choice. It keeps the silhouette long and uninterrupted through the slit, and it allows the train to fall cleanly. The heel height also matters for hem length — confirm your shoes before any hemming alteration. A block heel or a low kitten heel also works if you want more comfort over a long night, but a strappy silhouette reads better with this dress than a closed-toe or platform shoe. For jewelry, small is right. Stud earrings — diamond, crystal, or a simple metal — complement the rhinestone detail at the bodice without competing with it. A drop earring that hangs no longer than the earlobe is another clean option. Avoid a statement necklace entirely — the sweetheart neckline and the corset bodice already fill the upper body visually, and a necklace adds clutter. A simple bracelet or nothing on the wrist keeps the look clean. For a clutch, keep it small and sleek. A satin or metallic envelope clutch works in all three colorways. Match the metal tone of your clutch to your earrings for a pulled-together look. Contact us directly by texting us at +1 416-536-2956 or messaging us on WhatsApp at +1 213-868-3131 - our luxury dress concierge is ready to help.

Portia and Scarlett PS26136 Sweetheart Satin Fitted Gown

About the Dress: Portia and Scarlett PS26136

Fit & Silhouette

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Key Features

Style & Occasion

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Portia and Scarlett · PS26136 Sweetheart Satin Fitted Gown

About the Dress: Portia and Scarlett PS26136

Fit & Silhouette

Fabric & Detail

Key Features

Style & Occasion

Your Dress — Delivered in Days, Not Weeks.

WE ACCEPT RETURNS!

ORDER CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Get on the list

Price Match Guarantee

Easy Returns

Worldwide Shipping

Portia and Scarlett PS26136 Sweetheart Satin Fitted Gown

Easy
Returns

Worldwide
Shipping