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Portia and Scarlett PS26170 Strapless Sweetheart Mermaid Corset Gown
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Description
About the Dress: Portia & Scarlett PS26170
Portia and Scarlett PS26170 is a strapless sweetheart mermaid gown built around a heavily boned corset bodice. The sweetheart neckline has a clearly defined center dip, and the cup area is covered in rhinestone beading that catches the light from every angle. Below the corset, a fitted skirt traces the hips all the way to the knee before opening into a full trumpet sweep train. The cutout at the waist — where the corset top meets the skirt — is the dress's signature detail, visible in Cream Ivory, Deep Red, and Olive Green colorways. PS26170 is available in Black, Bronze, Cream Ivory, Deep Red, Leopard, and Olive Green.
Fit & Silhouette
PS26170 follows a true mermaid silhouette: the skirt stays close to the body through the hips and thighs, then flares dramatically below the knee into a trumpet sweep. There is no slit. The boned corset bodice is structured to hold its shape and provide a strong, defined waist. Fit is body-conscious — the dress follows every curve from the bust down to the knee. Order your standard size by bust and waist. If your measurements fall between sizes, size up and plan for a minor alteration at the waist; the bodice boning makes taking in the skirt straightforward for most tailors.
Fabric & Detail
The gown is constructed from a smooth satin base with visible boning channels running the full height of the corset bodice. The sweetheart cup area is hand-embellished with rhinestone beading that intensifies under event lighting. The Leopard colorway adds a print surface treatment to the satin, giving it a fashion-forward texture that reads differently depending on the light. The crisscross lace-up closure on the back of the corset allows you to fine-tune the fit on the day of the event. The sweep train is cut from the same satin and carries the fitted silhouette cleanly into the flare.
Key Features
- Strapless sweetheart neckline with distinct center dip
- Heavily boned corset bodice — boning channels fully visible
- Rhinestone beading on sweetheart cup area across all colorways
- Signature cutout at the waist between corset top and skirt
- Mermaid silhouette fitted through hips, flaring into trumpet sweep train
- Crisscross lace-up back closure for adjustable fit
- Satin base fabric; Leopard colorway features a print surface
- No slit — full coverage through the leg
- Available in Black, Bronze, Cream Ivory, Deep Red, Leopard, and Olive Green
Style & Occasion
Portia and Scarlett PS26170 is built for high-impact formal events. It works especially well for prom, where the trumpet silhouette and beaded sweetheart cups make a strong statement on the dance floor and in photos. The fully structured corset bodice also makes it a natural choice for pageant competitions, where presentation and posture support matter. Formal evening events and black-tie-adjacent occasions are all well within range. The Cream Ivory and Olive Green colorways are soft and editorial; Black and Leopard lean bold and directional; Deep Red and Bronze bring warmth and drama. Pair with a strappy heeled sandal or pointed-toe pump, simple drop earrings, and a small clutch — the beaded neckline means you need very little additional jewelry to complete the look.
Size & fit
- Fitted (two-piece). Bust, waist and hips all matter. Go by your largest measurement.
- Length: Long
- Neckline: Sweetheart, Strapless
- Details: Beaded, Train
- 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
- Tell us within 5 days of delivery.
- 100% store credit, a one-time exchange, or a refund (30% restocking fee).
- Online purchases only; in-store purchases are final.
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 -
Exchange, store credit or refund. Dresses tagged Final sale can't be returned.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Portia and Scarlett PS26170 is one of the stronger choices for a group order precisely because all six colorways — Black, Bronze, Cream Ivory, Deep Red, Leopard, and Olive Green — share the same silhouette, boned corset bodice, rhinestone beading, and crisscross back closure. The dress reads as a cohesive style even when worn in different colors, so a court where each person chooses their own shade will still photograph together in a unified way.
For a traditional prom court or quinceañera damas look, sticking to two or three colors from the lineup creates a polished, intentional palette. Black paired with Deep Red is a classic high-contrast combination. Cream Ivory alongside Olive Green gives a soft editorial feel. If your group wants everyone in the same color, Cream Ivory and Black both photograph cleanly under venue lighting and on outdoor locations.
For very large groups, the key practical detail is ordering early. PS26170 is a structured mermaid gown with a boned corset, which means Portia and Scarlett produces it in batches — colorway availability can narrow as the season progresses. When you're coordinating six or more people, you want to confirm all sizes and colorways in a single order rather than placing multiple separate orders over weeks, which risks a colorway selling out mid-group.
Sizing within a group is also worth addressing now: because the corset bodice is boned and structured, fit is more individual than on a simple chiffon gown. Each person in your group should take their own bust, waist, and hip measurements and size to the largest measurement, then plan a minor alteration if needed. A single collective fitting appointment at a local bridal or formalwear alteration shop two to three weeks before the event is a practical approach.
We handle group and court orders regularly — our team can confirm current stock levels across colorways before you commit. Text or WhatsApp us at the concierge number and we'll confirm availability for your full group in one shot. That way no one in your court ends up in a different dress because their color sold out.
PS26170 is a boned corset gown, which means sizing works differently than a regular dress. The corset bodice is structured and rigid — it does not stretch to accommodate you. You need to size to your actual measurements, not to the dress tag size you normally wear off the rack.
Start with three measurements: bust (fullest point), natural waist (narrowest point, not where you wear your jeans), and hips (fullest point, usually 7 to 9 inches below the natural waist). Take these while wearing the bra or shapewear you plan to wear under the gown. Then check Portia and Scarlett's official size chart using those numbers. If your measurements fall between sizes, size up — you can always take in a corset bodice at the waist, but letting out a bodice that is too small is much harder.
The mermaid skirt adds a second fit consideration. PS26170 is fitted through the hips and thighs all the way to the knee. If you are between a hip size and a thigh size, again size to the larger measurement. A skirt that fits cleanly through the hip and requires a small waist take-in is far easier to alter than one that fits the waist but pulls at the hip seam.
Height and the sweep train: Portia and Scarlett designs this gown for a model height of approximately 5'8" to 5'10" with heels. If you are shorter, a hem alteration at the sweep train will be necessary — plan for it and budget for it. The satin cuts cleanly and hemming a mermaid skirt is standard formalwear tailoring, not a specialty job. If you are taller, ask us about any extended length options before ordering.
The crisscross lace-up back gives you one to two inches of real adjustability on the day of the event — useful if you experience any minor weight fluctuation between ordering and wearing. But do not rely on the lace-up to compensate for a significant size difference. Order the right size, then use the lace-up for final fine-tuning.
PS26170 is primarily a prom gown — the boned sweetheart corset, rhinestone beading, and mermaid trumpet silhouette are all classic high-school-prom design language, and this is where it performs best. The structured bodice photographs very well in both indoor venue lighting and outdoor portrait settings, which matters on prom night.
Beyond prom, the gown reads well in a pageant context. The upright, structured posture the corset creates is exactly what pageant stages ask for, and the beaded sweetheart neckline photographs crisply from the front. Formal evening events — dinner galas, black-tie-adjacent celebrations, and charity events — are also realistic occasions for this dress, provided you are comfortable in a body-conscious silhouette.
As a wedding guest, this dress works best at evening receptions or black-tie celebrations where a fashion-forward, body-conscious silhouette fits the atmosphere. The cutout waist and fitted, low-cut silhouette make it best suited to evening receptions and black-tie galas when worn as a wedding guest. It is also not a casual cocktail or semi-formal dress — the sweep train and structured corset are built for full-length formal settings. 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.
The boned corset bodice on PS26170 is built to function as its own support structure. The boning channels run the full height of the corset and are designed to lift and shape the bust without an external bra. For most people, a traditional underwire bra will not sit comfortably inside the structured cup area — and is not needed.
If you want additional security, a low-cut adhesive bra or silicone nipple covers worn inside the cups is the standard approach for strapless mermaid gowns. The crisscross lace-up back can be tightened to add additional hold and compression at the torso.
For the mermaid skirt, the fitted hip and thigh section means that visible underwear lines will show. A seamless brief, thong, or low-cut shapewear short that does not extend above the hip line of the skirt is the practical choice. Avoid any shapewear with a thick waistband that would sit inside the cutout at the waist — the cutout is a design feature and anything that interrupts it will be visible.
Yes, and for most people under about 5'6" without heels, a hem alteration on the sweep train will be necessary rather than optional. The mermaid flare begins below the knee and extends into a train — without hemming, the extra length will pool in front and be a trip hazard on the dance floor.
A reputable formalwear or bridal alteration shop can shorten the sweep train from the hem upward. Because PS26170 has a trumpet flare that starts below the knee, a good tailor will take length from the bottom of the train and taper it so the flare still falls naturally when you walk and dance. Cutting too aggressively into the flare changes the silhouette, so be specific with your tailor about how much floor clearance you want versus train.
For alteration timing, bring the shoes you plan to wear to your fitting — heel height directly affects where the hem should land. Two to three weeks before the event is the right window to have alterations done and still leave time for a second fitting if needed. Order the dress early enough to leave room for that timeline.
The boned corset bodice is structured and firm — that is what gives PS26170 its silhouette. On a well-fitted corset, most people find that they are comfortable for the full evening because the boning distributes pressure evenly rather than concentrating it at a single waistband. A corset that is too small, however, will feel restrictive within an hour. This is why ordering the right size and using the lace-up closure to fine-tune the fit — rather than using the closure to compensate for ordering too small — matters.
The mermaid skirt requires a slightly adjusted walking stride because the fabric is fitted through the knee. Dancing in a mermaid gown is entirely doable, but your range of motion at the knee is shorter than in an A-line or ballgown. Smaller, smoother dance moves work better than large leg extensions. Most people wearing PS26170 to prom adapt within the first thirty minutes of the evening. If you are planning an active choreographed number, practice in the dress or in a fitted skirt of similar length before the event.
Portia and Scarlett PS26170 photographs slightly differently in professional editorial lighting versus real-world event lighting. Cream Ivory is soft and warm in person — closer to a pale champagne than pure white, which photographs cleanly in both indoor and outdoor light. Black is exactly as it reads in photos: deep and consistent, with the rhinestone beading on the sweetheart cups providing the contrast. Deep Red is rich and saturated in person — it leans darker than most phone-screen previews suggest.
Bronze reads warmer and slightly more metallic under event lighting than in the editorial shots. Olive Green is a muted, sophisticated shade that is harder to represent accurately in photography — in person it has a soft, almost sage quality depending on the light source. Leopard is the most statement-forward option: the print surface on the satin gives it a texture and depth that flat-screen images tend to flatten.
For venue lighting, darker colorways (Black, Deep Red) hold their color under standard ballroom or gymnasium lighting. Cream Ivory and Olive Green can pick up different tones depending on the warmth of the room's light. Bronze and Leopard look strongest under warm, directional light. If color accuracy matters for matching a date's outfit or a court color palette, request swatches before ordering.
After wearing PS26170, hang the gown on a padded hanger — never a wire hanger, which will distort the structured corset. The satin fabric will crease if left folded or compressed. If the gown has been worn for a full evening, air it out for 24 hours before placing it in a breathable garment bag.
For cleaning, dry cleaning is the recommended approach for satin gowns with rhinestone beading. Spot-treat any marks as soon as possible after the event — satin and beading are both sensitive to set stains. Tell your dry cleaner about the beading so they can hand-clean those areas rather than machine-agitating the rhinestones.
For storage after cleaning, a breathable fabric garment bag (not plastic) in a cool, dry, dark space is ideal. Store it hanging rather than folded to protect the train. If you are traveling with the dress, roll the skirt loosely in tissue paper inside a hard-sided garment bag or a large suitcase, keeping the corset bodice uncompressed to protect the boning.