Clarisse 810620 Long V-Neck Glitter Mermaid Gown with Open Back Gown

Clarisse 810620 does not have a traditional zipper running the length of the back — the back design is an open v that mirrors the front v-neckline, so the entire back is exposed intentionally as part of the silhouette. The gown closes at the sides, and the stretch glitter jersey fabric itself does the work of keeping everything secure. Because this is a stretch fabric, the gown has a small amount of natural give, which makes putting it on and taking it off significantly easier than a rigid structured gown. There are no hook-and-eye closures running down the spine and no corset lacing to thread — the fit is achieved through the cut of the dress and the stretch of the jersey. For this reason, sizing is important. You want the jersey to lie flat against your body without pulling or gapping at the bust. If the fabric is stretching to accommodate you at the bust, you are in the wrong size — size up. If the jersey is buckling or wrinkling across the stomach, size down. The stretch works in your favor once you are in the right size; it does not compensate for being more than one size off. The built-in cups in the bust area provide shaping without requiring a bra. The cups are sewn into the lining and stay in place. If you have a larger bust, you may want to ask a seamstress to add additional boning or a supportive insert to the cup area — the fabric's natural elasticity holds most figures comfortably, but extra reinforcement is an option for peace of mind on a long event night. Because the back is fully open, there is no back panel to adjust or tighten after the fact. What you see on the dress form is what you get — the open back is fixed, not variable. This also means the dress is not alterable at the back in the way a zipper gown is. All fit adjustments happen at the side seams or the bust cups. Have a seamstress take it in at the sides if the waist feels slightly loose, and ask about adding a modesty snap at the deepest point of the v-back if you want a small amount of additional security. Those are the two most common tailoring requests for this style.

Clarisse 810620 is built for prom, formal dances, and pageant competition. Those are the three occasions where everything about this gown — the open back, the body-skimming mermaid silhouette, the glitter fabric, the scattered crystal beading — works together the way it was designed to. At prom, you will have the kind of presence that photographs well and reads across a large room. On a pageant stage, the gown hits the right notes: it is embellished without being chaotic, and the Lilac colorway shows clearly under stage lighting. For formal dances that are not prom specifically — military ball being a common one — this gown does not qualify. Military ball requires a covered back, and Clarisse 810620's entire back is open. The same applies to formal events with a conservative dress code: the open back and sleek-and-sexy silhouette position this firmly in the fashion-forward end of formalwear, not the conservative end. Wedding guest is also not right for this gown. The open back combined with the body-skimming fit makes it too attention-drawing for a guest role, and the modesty standard for wedding-guest occasions requires a covered back. If you are attending a wedding and want something in this style family, we carry other Clarisse styles that offer the same glitter fabric and mermaid silhouette with a less exposed back. Black-tie events are a judgment call. The gown has the length and the formality of dress to work at black-tie, but the very open back means some strict dress-code environments may consider it too revealing. If your specific black-tie event has a conservative hosts or venue, flag it for our team and we can help you decide. Bottom line: prom, formal school dances, and pageant are where this gown belongs and where it will make the right impression. It is not appropriate for military ball, wedding guest roles, or any occasion with a conservative coverage requirement.

Clarisse 810620 runs close to true size for most figures, but because it is a stretch glitter jersey mermaid, fit at the bust and hips is the priority. Start with your bust measurement and compare it to the Clarisse size chart — if you are between sizes, size up rather than down. A jersey gown that is too small will pull visibly at the fabric; a gown that is one size too large can be taken in at the sides by a seamstress far more easily than it can be let out. The mermaid cut means the hip measurement matters too. Measure the fullest part of your hips and check it against the chart alongside your bust. If your bust and hips fall in different size ranges, fit for the hips on a mermaid — the bust can be adjusted by a seamstress at the cups, but the hip seams have less room to move. If you are between 5'4" and 5'7", the length will likely land close to floor-length without alteration. Taller or shorter customers should plan for hemming. Our team is happy to walk you through the measurements before you order — contact us directly and we will help you find your size.

The open back on Clarisse 810620 rules out most traditional bras immediately — any bra band across the back will be visible. The gown has built-in cups in the bust lining, which provide shaping and light support for most figures. For most wearers, no additional undergarment is needed at the bust. If you want extra hold, fashion tape applied along the inner edges of the v-neckline is the most reliable option. It keeps the front panels exactly where you want them through dancing and movement. Stick-on adhesive bra cups are another option for additional lift — look for a low-profile style that does not extend past the cup area, since any adhesive edge that shows against the stretch jersey will create a visible line. For the lower body, a seamless shaping brief or high-waist short in a neutral tone works well under the jersey skirt. Avoid anything with a lace edge or thick waistband, which can show through the jersey. The mesh side panels are sheer, so the tone of your shapewear underneath will be visible through them — choose something that works as part of the look.

Yes, Clarisse 810620 can be hemmed and altered, and a skilled seamstress who works with stretch and jersey fabrics will have no trouble with it. The most common alterations on this style are a hem for length and a take-in at the side seams for waist fit. When you bring it in, tell your seamstress it is a stretch glitter jersey mermaid with an integrated glitter weave — she will need a ball-point or stretch needle and a matching thread that does not fight the stretch of the fabric. Ask her to try a test seam on an off-cut or the inside of a seam before touching the visible fabric, especially if this is her first time working with a glitter-weave jersey. For hemming: the flare of the mermaid skirt means the hem is not a straight cut. A circular mermaid hem needs to be measured while you are standing in your shoes, pinned in place, and then sewn with a method that preserves the stretch — a blind hem stitch or a narrow rolled hem both work. Give yourself two to three weeks before your event to allow for a fitting, alterations, and a second check.

The stretch glitter jersey fabric is one of the more comfortable mermaid constructions you will find. Because the base is a stretch knit rather than a rigid structured fabric, the gown moves with you rather than resisting you. Walking, sitting, and dancing feel natural once you are in the right size. The mermaid flare begins below the knee, so there is some restriction on stride length while the skirt is narrow through the thighs. Most wearers adjust naturally within the first hour — you take slightly smaller steps in a mermaid than in an a-line. If you know you will be dancing actively all night, try walking up and down a few stairs at home before the event so you are comfortable with the silhouette. The wide shoulder straps distribute weight evenly across the shoulder and do not dig in the way thin spaghetti straps can on a longer night. The built-in bust cups hold their position through movement. Overall, for a fitted mermaid, this is a very wearable option for a full event evening.

Lilac is a cool, medium-toned purple with a slight blue undertone. In person, it reads clearly as lavender-purple without shifting toward grey or pink. Under warm indoor lighting — ballroom chandeliers, event uplighting — it takes on a slightly warmer glow but stays recognizably purple. Under stage or photo lighting, it photographs true to color, which makes it a reliable choice for prom portrait sessions and pageant photography. The glitter woven into the jersey adds a shimmer that reads as silver-toned in most lighting conditions, which complements the cool undertone of Lilac well. In bright flash photography, the glitter picks up the light and creates a luminous effect across the whole gown. At the time of writing, Lilac is the colorway photographed and listed for Clarisse 810620. If you are looking for additional colorways or want to confirm current availability, contact our team directly and we can check with the designer on any options not currently shown. Call or text our Toronto boutique at 416-536-2956 and our stylists will help you find your perfect dress.

After wearing, hang Clarisse 810620 on a padded or wide hanger — the mermaid skirt is heavy enough that a thin wire hanger will pull the shoulder straps out of shape over time. Allow it to air out for a few hours before covering it. For cleaning, dry cleaning is the safest option for a glitter-weave jersey with beading. Spot-treat minor marks with a damp cloth and gentle dabbing motion before sending it out. Do not rub the fabric — the glitter weave and beading can snag if scrubbed. For travel, fold the skirt loosely along the natural seam lines rather than creasing it flat, and stuff the interior of the skirt with tissue paper to hold the shape. Place it in a garment bag for transport. Jersey recovers from travel wrinkles well — hang it in a steamy bathroom for twenty to thirty minutes on arrival and most wrinkles will release on their own. Do not iron directly on the fabric; if you must press it, use a pressing cloth and low heat.