Ellie Wilde EW38135 Stone-Embellished Mermaid Prom

Ellie Wilde EW38135 Red prom dress front view with stone-embellished jersey, sweetheart neckline, fitted mermaid silhouette, a stunning formal prom gown.

Ellie Wilde EW38135 Sweetheart Mermaid Gown with Stone-Embellished Jersey

$565 USD

Size :

Color :

Red

Size :

Color :

Red

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the EW38135 have built-in support, and what undergarments work best with the open back?

The Ellie Wilde EW38135 has a structured bodice with internal boning. The boning channels run through the front bodice panels and hold the sweetheart neckline in place throughout the night. Combined with the satin-faced jersey base — which has a natural compression quality — the front of this dress stays put without needing an external bra. The open back is the detail that requires the most planning. The back is bare from just below the shoulder blades to well below the waistline, which rules out traditional bra straps and most adhesive bras that extend down the back. Here is what works: A low-back adhesive bra or stick-on cups that sit only across the front chest area work well because they do not extend into the open back zone. Make sure the adhesive panels are fully covered by the sweetheart neckline of the dress. A waist-to-thigh seamless shaper underneath — one that stops below the open back — can add smoothing along the hips and thighs without interfering with the back design. Look for a low-back or backless version. If you have a smaller bust and feel comfortable with the boning alone, many customers wear this gown with no additional support at all. The structured panels and the snug jersey hold well on their own once the dress is fitted correctly to your measurements. Thong or low-cut underwear is the right choice underneath. The mermaid silhouette is very form-fitting through the hips, so anything with a higher cut or texture will show through the jersey. If you are between sizes, size up rather than down. The boning and jersey will contour to your shape, but a dress that is too small across the hips will strain the seams. A dress with a small amount of extra room in the waist or bust can be taken in by an experienced alterations tailor much more easily than a dress that is too tight across the back or hips. For the adjustable straps, set them at a length where the sweetheart neckline sits flat against your chest without pulling upward. Too short and the front lifts; too long and the bodice can gap. Try the dress on with the shoes you plan to wear — heel height affects where the straps need to sit.

What occasions and events is the Ellie Wilde EW38135 best suited for?

The Ellie Wilde EW38135 is built for prom and formal dance events — that is where this gown is most at home. The fully stone-embellished surface, open back, mermaid silhouette, and sweep train are all signals that point toward a big, high-energy occasion where you want maximum impact when you walk in. Prom is the clearest match. The gown reads as a classic prom statement piece: body-forward, fully embellished, dramatic from every angle. If your school has a formal grand march or a red-carpet-style entrance, this dress is made for that moment. Formal dances — homecoming court presentations, military ball formal nights, pageant competitions, and similar events with a formal dress code — are all appropriate settings. The level of embellishment and the open back do push this toward the dressier end of any event, so it suits occasions where guests are expected to arrive looking their best rather than events with a more relaxed or covered-up dress code. Wedding guest events are not a fit for this gown. The open back runs well past the waistline and the silhouette is very body-forward — it falls outside the coverage range that makes a dress appropriate for a wedding guest role at most ceremonies and receptions. Mother-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom events are also not the right context. The styling is aimed at someone who wants to be the focal point of the evening, which is a different intention from a MOB or MOG look. If you are considering this for a cruise formal night, a gala, or a charity ball with a black-tie dress code, the deciding factor is usually the open back. Very formal black-tie settings sometimes expect more coverage. That said, at many galas and award-show-style events, a stone-embellished open-back mermaid gown is entirely appropriate and would look right at home. In terms of age range, this gown is popular with high school seniors and college-age customers. The fitted silhouette and open back give it a confidence-forward energy that suits someone ready to make a bold entrance. If you are unsure whether this gown matches the dress code for your specific event, the Marlas Fashions team is happy to help. Text us at +1 416-536-2956 or reach us on WhatsApp at +1 213-868-3131 and tell us the occasion — we will give you an honest answer.

Can the Ellie Wilde EW38135 be hemmed or altered for my height?

Yes, the EW38135 can be hemmed. The sweep train adds length at the back, and the mermaid flare at the hem means any hemming needs to be done by a tailor familiar with structured gowns — not just a simple straight cut. For petite customers, the key question is how much to remove from the hem while keeping the flare proportional. A skilled bridal or formalwear tailor can shorten the gown from the hem and reshape the flare so the silhouette stays true to the original. Removing too much from a mermaid hem without adjusting the flare can flatten the shape. For taller customers, the train may sit exactly right or could be left as-is. Most customers at average to tall heights wear this gown at the full length with heels. Bodice alterations are possible but more involved because of the internal boning. Letting in or taking out the side seams requires working around the boning channels. Choose a tailor with formal or bridal experience. Marlas Fashions recommends ordering your size based on your hip measurement rather than your waist, since the mermaid silhouette is most critical through the hips. If your waist and hips fall in different size ranges on the Ellie Wilde size chart, go with the larger measurement and tailor the waist. Alterations cost varies by city and tailor. Budget accordingly when planning your total dress spend.

Is the EW38135 comfortable to move and dance in all night?

The satin-faced jersey base fabric gives this gown more flexibility than a rigid structured gown. Jersey has a natural stretch, so you can move, sit, and walk without the fabric fighting against you. The mermaid silhouette does limit stride length. The dress is fitted through the hips, and the flare begins at the knee area — so you will take shorter steps than you would in an a-line or flowy gown. Most customers find they adapt quickly and the gait becomes natural within the first hour of wearing it. The boning in the bodice holds the front securely so you do not need to worry about the neckline shifting while you dance. That is one of the reasons customers choose a boned bodice: less adjusting throughout the night. The adjustable straps help with comfort over a long evening. You can loosen them slightly if you find the shoulders feeling tight after a few hours. The sweep train is something to be aware of on the dance floor. On a crowded floor, you may want to dance in a slightly more contained way or ask your date to be aware of the train behind you. Some customers choose to have an alterations tailor add a small loop or hook inside the hem so they can lift the train slightly during dancing — this is a common modification for sweep trains.

How does the color look in person versus photos, and how do I choose between Red, Royal Blue, Supernova, and Periwinkle?

Colors photographed in studio lighting almost always look slightly different in person, and the stone embellishment on EW38135 adds another variable — the stones pick up and reflect whatever light is around them, so the gown shifts in appearance depending on your lighting environment. Red is a true, saturated red with warm undertones. Under ballroom or event lighting it reads as vibrant and high-contrast. This is the boldest choice and the most photographed colorway. Royal Blue is a deep, rich blue — classic formal blue. It reads as slightly more refined under cool lighting and is a strong choice for venues with blue or white stage lighting. Supernova tends to be a warm gold or warm champagne-adjacent tone depending on the specific production run — check the designer's site for the current swatch if this is your top choice. Under warm lighting it reads as luminous. Periwinkle is a soft blue-purple. It reads as lighter and cooler than Royal Blue and can look almost pastel in bright daylight, while picking up more depth under evening lighting. For photo results, all four colors photograph well because the stone coverage creates contrast and texture regardless of the base color. If your prom has a specific backdrop color, consider how your gown color contrasts against it — Red and Supernova pop against dark or neutral backdrops; Periwinkle and Royal Blue stand out against warm or light backgrounds.

How should I store, clean, and travel with the Ellie Wilde EW38135?

After wearing the gown, hang it on a wide padded hanger as soon as possible to let the fabric breathe. Avoid folding the dress for extended periods — the stone embellishment can press into the jersey and leave marks if the gown is compressed. For cleaning, dry cleaning is the safest route for a stone-embellished gown. Alert the cleaner to the hot stones — aggressive steam or heat can loosen adhesive-set stones. Spot cleaning minor marks yourself with a damp cloth and gentle soap is fine for small areas, but a full clean should go to a professional. For storage, a breathable garment bag rather than a plastic dry-cleaning bag is ideal. Plastic traps moisture; a fabric or non-woven garment bag lets air circulate. For travel, fold the gown as few times as possible. Many customers carry formal gowns in a garment bag in the overhead bin on flights rather than checking them, as checked luggage handling can compress and crease structured gowns. If you do check the gown, pack it loosely in a hard-shell bag rather than compressing it into a soft suitcase. The sweep train is the most vulnerable part during travel — tuck it carefully into the garment bag folds so it is not pressed flat under the full weight of the gown.

What shoes and jewelry work best with the EW38135?

Shoes: strappy heeled sandals or a pointed-toe stiletto are the classic pairings with a mermaid gown. The long silhouette benefits from a heel that extends the leg line. Because the hem sits at floor length, most of the shoe is hidden — comfortable heels you can dance in all night matter more than the visual of the shoe itself. If you prefer not to wear heels, a pointed-toe flat or a kitten heel can work under the hem. Jewelry: the stone coverage on this gown is essentially full-surface, which means the dress itself is the statement. Keep jewelry either minimal or architectural. A simple pair of drop earrings — clear, gold, or matching the gown color — reads cleanly against the stone-covered bodice. Avoid anything too chunky at the neckline because the sweetheart line is already detailed. If you want a necklace, a delicate chain that sits above the sweetheart neckline is the right choice — anything that sits on or below the neckline edge will compete with the stone work. A small clutch in a matching or complementary color completes the look. Metallic options in gold or silver work across all four colorways.

How long does shipping take and where does Marlas Fashions ship from?

Marlas Fashions ships from warehouses in Los Angeles and New York in the United States, and from Toronto for Canadian orders. Standard delivery takes 7–12 business days from the date your order is confirmed. Rush options are available if your event date is coming up quickly — contact us when you order and we will confirm what expedited timelines are possible. US and Canadian orders arrive with no import duties or surprise fees. International orders ship with full tracking worldwide. Every dress leaves our warehouse inspected, so what arrives at your door is exactly what you ordered. We have been an authorized Ellie Wilde retailer for over 40 years, which means EW38135 ships directly from current stock — no third-party sourcing delays. Every Ellie Wilde EW38135 that leaves our warehouse is inspected by hand before shipping, so the beadwork, seams, and closures arrive exactly as the designer intended. If you are between sizes on the Ellie Wilde EW38135, our team can talk you through the size chart against your own measurements before you order.

Ellie Wilde EW38135 Sweetheart Mermaid Gown

About the Dress: Ellie Wilde EW38135

Fit & Silhouette

Fabric & Detail

Key Features

Style & Occasion

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Ellie Wilde · EW38135 Sweetheart Mermaid Gown

About the Dress: Ellie Wilde EW38135

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

Ellie Wilde EW38135 Sweetheart Mermaid Gown

Easy
Returns

Worldwide
Shipping