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Mac Duggal 11848 Strapless Mermaid Gown
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Standard: arrives in 7 to 12 days
Express: arrives in 4 to 6 days
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Description
About the Dress: Mac Duggal 11848
Mac Duggal 11848 is a long strapless mermaid gown in smooth stretch jersey with a fan-pleated bodice and a rhinestone-and-bead embellished waistband. The silhouette fits close through the torso and hips, then flares below the knee into a trumpet hem. The back is fully open from the shoulders to the waist, making it a bold, confident choice for any formal event.
Fit & Silhouette
Mac Duggal 11848 follows a classic mermaid-trumpet shape: the stretch jersey skims every curve from the bust through the hips, then releases into a dramatic flare below the knee. The strapless construction keeps the shoulder line clean, while the open back creates a long, unbroken line down the spine. This style is designed to be worn close to the body, so it moves with you rather than around you. Women who prefer a curve-hugging silhouette find this cut particularly flattering, as the jersey fabric has just enough stretch to allow easy movement without losing its shape.
Fabric & Detail
The base fabric is Mac Duggal's smooth matte stretch crepe, which maps to a fine-gauge jersey knit. It drapes cleanly, resists wrinkling, and holds its structure through the bodice without added boning. The standout detail is the fan-pleated bodice: structured panels radiate upward from the waistband, creating a sculptural effect across the front. The waistband itself is embellished with rhinestones, navette gems, seed beads, and small floral bead clusters — all concentrated in a single horizontal band that defines the waist without covering the skirt. This keeps the overall look sleek while still delivering genuine sparkle at the focal point of the silhouette.
Key Features
- Strapless scoop neckline with a straight, clean edge
- Fan-pleated bodice panels radiating from a beaded waistband
- Rhinestone, navette gem, seed bead, and floral bead cluster embellishment at the waist
- Smooth matte stretch jersey skirt fitted through the hips
- Mermaid-trumpet flare below the knee
- Full open back from shoulders to waistline
- Sleeveless, no straps
- Floor-length
Style & Occasion
Mac Duggal 11848 is built for nights that deserve a statement. It is a natural fit for prom and formal dances, evening galas, and upscale formal events where a body-conscious silhouette is the goal. The open back and beaded waistband give it real visual impact from every angle, which makes it especially effective in venues with good lighting. It is photographed in blush-rose; the only listed colorway is Vintage Lilac — please confirm with our team before ordering to ensure you receive the correct colorway. Marlas Fashions is an authorized Mac Duggal retailer and inspects every dress before it ships.
Size & fit
- Fitted. Bust, waist and hips all matter. Go by your largest measurement.
- Between sizes? Text a stylist and we'll help you choose.
Shipping
- Arrives in 7–12 business days, or 4–6 with Express (+$35).
- Free shipping over $250 to Canada and the USA.
- Text updates as your order ships.
Full shipping details
Your Dress — Delivered in Days, Not Weeks.
We know timing matters — especially for prom, weddings, quinceañeras, and special events.
- Receive your dress within 7–12 business days, depending on designer availability.
- You’ll receive text updates as your order moves from processing to shipping.
- Once shipped, delivery typically takes 2–5 business days within North America.
Need it sooner?
We offer rush options where you can receive your dress within 4–6 business days. Text us at +1 416-536-2956 before ordering and we’ll confirm the fastest possible delivery date.
We are an authorized retailer of top designers, which means your dress ships brand new and directly from the designer or our showroom — never used, never rented.
Have an event date? Add it in your order notes so we can prioritize accordingly.
We proudly ship across Canada, the United States, and Internationally, with in-store pickup available at our Toronto showroom.
Returns
This dress is final sale. It can't be returned or exchanged, so check the size guide or text a stylist before you order. We're happy to help you choose.
Full return policy
WE ACCEPT RETURNS!
For Online Purchases Only. All in-store purchases are FINAL.
We hope you LOVE your dress — but if you're not completely satisfied with your online purchase, you may request:
- 100% Store Credit (no expiration).
- A one-time exchange, OR
- A return with a 30% restocking fee, OR
You must notify us of a return within 5 days of delivery (including weekends and holidays — we are open 7 days a week).
We have no control and accept no responsibility for the sizing selected. Please carefully review the size chart before ordering. If you need assistance with sizing, we’re happy to help — text us at +1 416-536-2956.
ORDER CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS
Once your order is placed, you have 5 hours to request a change to the color, size, or style.
If an item becomes unavailable, we will offer alternatives or provide the option of a full refund for that item.
Please see our Returns & Exchanges page for full details.
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Free standard shipping on orders over $250 to the US and Canada. Under $250, shipping is shown at checkout.
Shipping details -
US orders ship from our warehouses in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. Canadian orders ship from Toronto. No duties to pay at the door.
Shipping details -
This dress is final sale, so it can't be returned or exchanged. Not sure about the size? Text a stylist before you order.
Return policy -
Found this dress cheaper? Send us the link and we'll match the price.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Most strapless mermaid gowns give you either a plain fitted skirt or surface embellishment spread across the whole dress. Mac Duggal 11848 does something more specific: it concentrates all of its drama in two places — the fan-pleated bodice and the beaded waistband — and lets the smooth stretch jersey skirt do the rest of the work on its own.
The fan-pleated panels are the first thing you notice. Structured fabric panels radiate upward from the waistband across the entire front of the bodice, creating a sculptural, almost architectural look that is completely different from the flat or ruched bodices you see on most fitted gowns. There is real dimension here, and because the pleating is structured rather than draped, it holds its shape all night and photographs very cleanly.
The waistband embellishment is precise and intentional. Rather than scattering beads or sequins across the skirt or bodice, Mac Duggal uses rhinestones, navette gems, seed beads, and small floral bead clusters in a single horizontal band at the natural waist. That band acts like a visual anchor — it draws the eye to the narrowest part of the silhouette and makes the whole dress look more fitted and defined than it would without it.
The skirt is smooth matte stretch jersey from waistband to hem. This fabric does not add bulk or stiffness. It moves with the body, which means the trumpet flare below the knee actually moves when you walk, rather than swinging stiffly like a structured skirt would. For a formal event where you will be walking, dancing, and photographed from multiple angles, that kind of fluid movement makes a significant difference in how the dress looks in motion versus standing still.
Finally, the open back. The entire upper back is bare from the shoulders down to the waistline. This is not a keyhole or a partial cutout — it is a fully open back, and it gives the dress a second focal point that very few guests at any formal event will match. Combined with the strapless front and the mermaid silhouette, the open back makes Mac Duggal 11848 a standout choice rather than just another long gown on the dance floor.
If you are comparing this to other Mac Duggal or similar-brand mermaid gowns in the same price range, the combination of the fan-pleated bodice, the precisely placed beaded band, and the fully open back is what sets 11848 apart.
Mac Duggal 11848 is designed for formal and semi-formal evening occasions where a fitted, body-conscious silhouette is appropriate and expected. Here is a clear breakdown of where it works and where it may not be the right call.
Prom and formal dances are the strongest match. The mermaid-trumpet shape, the beaded waistband, and the open back all read as high-impact prom styling. This is a dress that photographs exceptionally well under event lighting, and the stretch jersey moves well on a dance floor. If your prom has a dress code that allows open backs, this is an easy choice.
Evening galas and upscale fundraising events are another natural fit. The fan-pleated bodice and rhinestone waistband add enough formality to hold their own in a gala setting, while the clean jersey skirt keeps the overall look refined rather than over-the-top.
Formal evening events — black-tie optional dinners, awards ceremonies, upscale birthday celebrations — are also well suited. Any occasion where a floor-length gown is expected and a bold silhouette is welcome will work well.
Now for the honest limitations. As a wedding guest, the open back suits relaxed evening receptions best; for religious or traditional ceremonies where covered styles are customary, a more modest option is usually the better choice. As a wedding guest, the open back suits evening receptions and black-tie celebrations best; for religious or traditional ceremonies where more coverage is expected, a different style may be a better fit.
Military ball is also not the right fit here. Military ball dress codes traditionally call for covered backs and more conservative styling; an open back gown would be out of step with that environment.
If you are a bridesmaid, check with the bride before choosing this style — the open back and fitted silhouette may not match the overall look the wedding party is going for.
For sweet sixteen parties and similar events where the birthday person or their family may prefer guests to dress more modestly, it is worth checking the event's expectations before committing.
Bottom line: Mac Duggal 11848 is a genuine formal evening gown built for occasions where impact and body confidence are the goal. Prom, galas, and formal evenings are its home. If the event has modesty expectations, this is not the dress for that occasion.
Mac Duggal 11848 has a fully open back with no visible lacing, hooks, or corset closure shown in the available images. The closure on this style is typically a concealed center-back zipper that runs from the base of the open back down to the hem. This means fit adjustments happen at the zipper rather than through lacing or a corset system.
Because the bodice is strapless and the back is open, a close fit through the bust is essential. The stretch jersey fabric has enough give to accommodate minor differences, but this is not a gown with adjustable hardware that can compensate for significant size variation. Order to your bust measurement and allow a seamstress to take in or let out the seams if needed.
If you are between sizes, sizing up and having the bodice taken in at the sides is almost always the right approach for a strapless gown — it gives a seamstress more to work with and ensures the bust stays secure all night.
For alterations, hemming is the most common adjustment. The stretch jersey hem on a mermaid gown needs to be done by a seamstress experienced with knit fabrics, as a standard rolled hem can distort the flare. Allow two to four weeks before your event for alterations, and bring the shoes you plan to wear to your fitting.
Mac Duggal 11848 works well as a standout gown within a larger group, but it requires some coordination planning if multiple people are wearing it.
For a prom court, this style reads as a clear lead or statement gown. Its open back, beaded waistband, and mermaid-trumpet silhouette will naturally draw attention in a lineup. If you are the queen or king's escort and want to make an impact, this works perfectly on its own. If the whole court is coordinating in the same gown, the blush-rose colorway pairs well with navy, champagne, black, and deep plum tuxedos or suits.
For a quinceañera damas or sweet-sixteen group, this gown is styled differently from most damas dresses, which tend toward A-line or simpler silhouettes. If the group is choosing their own dresses in coordinating colors rather than a single matching style, Mac Duggal 11848 would fit well in the mix for a dama who wants a more fitted look.
Vintage Lilac, the listed colorway, would coordinate well in a soft, romantic color palette. Note that there is a color discrepancy between the photographed blush-rose and the listed Vintage Lilac — confirm the actual available colorway with our team before placing a group order to avoid mismatched shades across the group.
Mac Duggal gowns are cut in standard US formal wear sizing and generally run true to size when measured correctly. The most important measurement for this style is the bust, since the gown is strapless and the fit at the chest determines how secure and comfortable the dress feels all night.
Measure your full bust, natural waist, and fullest hip, then compare all three to the Mac Duggal size chart. In mermaid silhouettes, the hip measurement is equally important because the skirt fits close through the hips before flaring. If your bust and hips fall in different sizes, size to the larger measurement and have the smaller measurement taken in by a seamstress.
For reference, Mac Duggal standard sizing typically runs from size 0 to 24, though availability varies by style. If you are unsure about your measurements or need help comparing sizes, contact our team — we are happy to walk you through the Mac Duggal size chart before you order.
A strapless open-back gown like Mac Duggal 11848 requires undergarment planning. Here are the most practical options.
Strapless adhesive bra or stick-on cups are the most common choice for open-back styles. They provide lift and coverage without any straps or back bands that would show. Look for a silicone adhesive style rated for all-night wear and test it before the event.
A low-back strapless bodysuit with a plunging back is another option if you prefer more coverage and support. Make sure the back of the bodysuit sits well below the open back of the gown — for this dress, the back is open from shoulder to waist, so the bodysuit would need an extremely low back to stay hidden.
Built-in shelf bra: the bodice of Mac Duggal 11848 has structured fan-pleated panels, but this style does not include a built-in underwire bra cup. The structure of the pleating provides some support, but most wearers with a larger bust will want supplemental support from adhesive cups.
Avoid regular bras with any back band or strap configuration — the open back leaves almost no room for hidden hardware. Double-sided fashion tape along the interior bodice edge is a useful backup measure to keep the neckline in place throughout the event.
The photographed colorway, blush-rose, is a warm, soft pink with a subtle rosy undertone. In person under natural daylight it reads as a dusty, muted blush — not a bright or candy pink. Under warm ballroom or event lighting it picks up more warmth and can appear slightly richer. In photos taken under flash it may appear lighter and more white-adjacent than it does in person.
Vintage Lilac is the only colorway listed for Mac Duggal 11848 in the product data, and it is described as a soft, vintage-toned purple with grey or dusty undertones — very different from the blush-rose photographed. This is a confirmed color discrepancy in our product data, and we strongly recommend confirming with our team which colorway is actually available before placing your order. We want to make sure you receive exactly what you are expecting.
For skin tone guidance: blush-rose is flattering on fair to medium skin tones with warm or neutral undertones, while Vintage Lilac tends to complement medium to deeper skin tones as well as cool-toned complexions. If you are choosing between the two based on complexion, let us know and we can help you decide.
Mac Duggal 11848 ships from our Los Angeles and New York warehouses within the US, and from our Toronto warehouse to Canadian customers with no duties charged on either US or Canadian orders. International orders ship worldwide with full tracking. Standard delivery is 7 to 12 business days; rush shipping is available at checkout if you need it sooner.
For returns, Marlas Fashions accepts returns for store credit (which never expires), an exchange, or a refund less a 30% restocking fee. To start a return, contact our team within the return window noted at checkout. We inspect every dress before it ships to make sure it arrives in perfect condition.
If you have timing concerns about an event date or want to confirm stock before ordering, reach out to us by text at +1 416-536-2956 or on WhatsApp at +1 213-868-3131 and we will confirm availability and lead time for you.