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Portia and Scarlett PS27221 Beaded Pearl Corset Mermaid Gown
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Standard: arrives in 7 to 12 days
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Description
About the Dress: Portia and Scarlett PS27221
Portia and Scarlett PS27221 is a strapless, sweetheart-neckline corset gown built around two distinct silhouettes in one dress. The fitted underlayer is covered in dense pearl and bead embellishment from bodice to hem, with a structured corset bodice featuring visible boning channels for shaping and support. A dramatic detachable ballgown overskirt attaches over the underlayer, giving you the option to switch between a sculptural mermaid silhouette and a full, sweeping ballgown look at any point during your event.
PS27221 is available in Ivory, Lilac, and Yellow. The open back on the fitted underlayer creates a striking rear view that works beautifully with or without the overskirt in place.
Fit & Silhouette
The underlayer of Portia and Scarlett PS27221 follows a mermaid silhouette — fitted and close through the bust, waist, hips, and thighs, with a gentle flare at the hem. The corset bodice is boned throughout, so it contours and supports the torso without a separate undergarment. Because this style is cut for a close, body-hugging fit, most customers find the fit snug and structured rather than relaxed. Sizing up one size from your usual is a common choice if you prefer a bit of room in the hip, or if your hip measurement is larger relative to your bust. The open back is structured by the corset, so the dress holds its shape while leaving the back exposed.
When you attach the overskirt, the silhouette shifts to a full ballgown profile, which photographs dramatically at formal events. The overskirt detaches cleanly, and many customers remove it for dancing or after the ceremony portion of the evening.
Fabric & Detail
The base of Portia and Scarlett PS27221 is satin, which provides a smooth, slightly structured foundation under the embellishment. The entire fitted underlayer is covered in dense pearl and bead work — from the top of the sweetheart neckline through the full length of the skirt — making this a fully beaded gown. Pearls appear throughout the surface embellishment, adding a dimensional, layered texture to what would otherwise be a flat beaded finish. The overskirt is constructed from the same complementary fabric and attaches at the waist to drape into a ballgown-length overlay. A train extends from the hem of the underlayer, adding length at the back.
Key Features
- Strapless sweetheart neckline with boned corset bodice
- Full pearl and bead embellishment from neckline to hem
- Detachable ballgown overskirt — wear as a mermaid or a ballgown
- Visible boning channels throughout the bodice for structured support
- Open back on the fitted underlayer
- Train on the underlayer skirt
- Available in Ivory, Lilac, and Yellow
Style & Occasion
Portia and Scarlett PS27221 is built for events where full embellishment and a statement silhouette are expected. It is a strong choice for prom, pageant competitions, galas, black-tie events, and formal evening occasions. The two-look functionality — mermaid for cocktail hour and grand entrance, ballgown overskirt for ceremony or photographs — makes it especially practical for prom and pageant use, where you may want a dramatic transformation without changing dresses.
For styling, keep jewelry minimal because the pearl beading covers the entire dress — small pearl or crystal earrings and a simple updo work well and avoid competing with the embellishment. Strappy heeled sandals or pointed-toe heels in metallic or a colorway-matched satin work with all three available colors. If you choose Lilac or Yellow, a clear or metallic heel keeps the look cohesive. Ivory pairs cleanly with champagne or gold accessories.
Marlas Fashions is an authorized Portia and Scarlett retailer with over 40 years of experience, and every dress is inspected before it ships. Reach out to our concierge team with any questions about PS27221 before you order.
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
- 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.
Return policy -
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Portia and Scarlett PS27221 Beaded Pearl Corset Mermaid Gown with Detachable Overskirt
Sale price $1,259 CAD
Need help?
Frequently Asked Questions
Because Portia and Scarlett PS27221 is covered in pearl and bead embellishment from the sweetheart neckline all the way to the hem, the dress is already doing almost all of the visual work — so accessories should stay minimal and let the gown lead.
For shoes, strappy heeled sandals or pointed-toe pumps are the most popular choices. In Ivory, a champagne or gold metallic heel reads seamlessly and adds warmth without competing with the fabric. In Lilac, a clear or transparent heel keeps the color story clean and modern; a pale gold or silver sandal also works. In Yellow, a gold or nude metallic works well, and some customers choose a white or ivory heel for a fresh contrast. Platform heels can add height and reduce leg fatigue at a long event, which matters if you are wearing this to prom or a pageant where you will be on your feet for several hours.
For jewelry, the pearl detail already embedded throughout the dress means you do not need a pearl necklace — it would compete rather than complement. Small diamond studs, simple crystal drops, or tiny pearl stud earrings all work well. If you want to wear a necklace, a very fine chain in gold or silver with a single stone is the right scale. Avoid statement chokers or bib necklaces entirely — the sweetheart neckline and the beading in that area of the bodice already create a full, finished look at the chest.
For your hair, an updo — whether a classic chignon, a braided updo, or a sleek top knot — is strongly recommended because it keeps the open back visible. The open back on the fitted underlayer is one of the most striking design details of PS27221, and a high or mid updo lets it show at all times. If you prefer to wear your hair down, consider a half-up style that keeps your neck and upper back clear.
For a bag, a small satin or beaded clutch in a matching colorway or in a neutral metallic is ideal. Avoid oversized bags or cross-body straps — they interrupt the silhouette and can snag the beading.
If you are wearing the detachable overskirt for part of the event and removing it later, a strapless adhesive bra or seamless shapewear underneath the corset bodice gives you confidence whether the overskirt is on or off, since the open back becomes more visible once the overskirt is detached.
Portia and Scarlett PS27221 works on a wide range of body types, but the way you use the two silhouette options matters a lot for fit comfort and proportion.
The fitted mermaid underlayer is the closest, most body-conscious silhouette. It is structured through the corset bodice, which means the waist is defined and the torso is held in place by boning — this is genuinely supportive and creates a smooth, sculpted shape from bust to hip. Customers who are proportioned with a defined waist relative to the bust and hips tend to feel most comfortable in the underlayer alone. Because the boning does the contouring, you do not need significant curves to make the mermaid silhouette read well — the structure of the bodice creates shape even if your natural waist-to-hip ratio is subtle.
For customers who prefer to de-emphasize the hip or thigh area, the detachable overskirt is a practical option. The ballgown overskirt adds volume below the waist and through the skirt, which draws attention upward to the beaded bodice and sweetheart neckline and softens the close fit of the underlayer below the hip. This is a popular configuration for customers who love the embellished bodice but find a full mermaid silhouette less comfortable to move in.
For petite customers, a high heel is important to maintain proportion against the full-length train. The sweetheart neckline is elongating at the bust, which helps create vertical visual line. For taller customers, both the mermaid and ballgown configurations work well at full length — the train reads especially dramatic on a taller frame.
Because the corset is boned and fits close, sizing in PS27221 is less forgiving than an A-line or a flowy gown. If your hip measurement is at the top edge of your size bracket, sizing up one is a common recommendation. The Marlas Fashions concierge team — available by text at +1 416-536-2956 or WhatsApp at +1 213-868-3131 — can walk through your measurements with you and advise on the best size to order before you place your order.
Portia and Scarlett PS27221 ships from Marlas Fashions' Los Angeles or New York warehouses for US orders, and from the Toronto warehouse for Canadian orders. Standard shipping runs 7 to 12 business days from the time your order is confirmed. Rush options are available if your event is coming up quickly — contact us before ordering so we can confirm current rush availability for this specific style.
US and Canadian customers pay no import duties or customs fees. International orders ship with full tracking from our LA or NY warehouse, and tracked delivery is standard on all shipments regardless of destination. If you are ordering for a specific event date, place your order as early as possible to allow time for any fit adjustments after the dress arrives. Portia and Scarlett gowns like PS27221 are in-demand styles, and rush delivery timelines can vary by season — peak prom season in particular sees higher order volumes, so early ordering is always the safer approach.
Marlas Fashions accepts returns on PS27221 in exchange for store credit (which never expires), a size or style exchange, or a refund less a 30% restocking fee. The dress must be returned in its original, unworn condition with all tags attached. Because this is a formal gown with heavy beading and a structured corset, we recommend trying it on carefully over clean undergarments and avoiding any contact with makeup, perfume, or jewelry that could snag the beading before you decide to keep it.
The store credit option is popular for customers who are between sizes or events, since it does not expire and can be applied to any future purchase. If your dress arrives and the fit is not quite right, an exchange for the same style in a different size is usually the fastest path — the concierge team can help coordinate that process. For formal gowns like PS27221, local alterations are also a common step after receiving the dress, and we recommend budgeting for this, particularly in the waist and hem, since corset gowns sometimes need minor fitting adjustments even in the correct size.
The main thing that distinguishes PS27221 from most beaded mermaid gowns is the two-look functionality built into a single dress. Most heavily embellished mermaid gowns are one silhouette — you commit to the close fit for the entire event. PS27221 includes a full detachable ballgown overskirt that transforms the look completely, which is genuinely unusual at this price tier. You are effectively getting two gowns in one purchase.
The pearl embellishment is also a distinction. Most beaded gowns in this category use glass or rhinestone beading. PS27221 incorporates pearls throughout the surface detail, which adds a softer, more dimensional texture than standard rhinestone beading and gives the dress a slightly different visual register — it reads as opulent without being harsh or overly flashy under event lighting. The structured corset bodice with visible boning also means the dress functions as its own undergarment, which is practical for a long event where you want comfort and support without layering shapewear under a heavily beaded gown.
Based on the images, PS27221 has a structured open back on the fitted underlayer — the corset bodice provides the primary closure and support at the back, with skin exposure rather than a lace-up panel. The boning in the bodice is the main structure holding the dress in place, so the back sits open as a design feature rather than as a functional opening.
This means adjustability at the back is limited compared to a traditional lace-up corset back, which can be loosened or tightened by several inches. With PS27221, the fit is primarily set by the size of the bodice itself. If you are between sizes, a local seamstress can take in or let out the side seams of the bodice slightly, but significant size adjustments to a boned corset bodice are more involved than on a standard zipper gown. The hem and train length are the most commonly adjusted elements for a clean, event-ready fit. Note: a dedicated back-view image per colorway is recommended to confirm the exact closure configuration — if you have specific fit questions about the back, the concierge team can advise.
PS27221 is a strong anchor gown for a coordinated group — the three available colors (Ivory, Lilac, Yellow) make it easy to build a color-coordinated court or damas lineup. A common approach is for the honoree or lead wearer to choose one colorway of PS27221 with the overskirt, and for court or damas members to wear a simpler, complementary gown in a matching or tonal color that does not compete with the lead dress. Because PS27221 is fully beaded and includes the dramatic overskirt, attendants in less embellished styles in the same family of colors will read as a cohesive group without visually competing.
For prom groups, Portia and Scarlett offers a broad range of complementary styles in similar colorways, and Marlas Fashions can help identify options that work well alongside PS27221. Ordering all group dresses together or within a short window is recommended so that dye lots and fabric batches are consistent, particularly in Lilac and Yellow, which can show slight color variation between production runs. Contact the concierge team early if you are coordinating a group order — we can confirm availability across all sizes needed for your group.
Portia and Scarlett PS27221 runs close to standard formal sizing, but because the underlayer is a structured mermaid with a boned corset bodice, the fit is snug and unforgiving in the hip and thigh. Unlike a flowy gown where a half-size difference is easy to accommodate, a fitted mermaid cut holds its shape strictly — if you are at the upper end of your size range in the hip or thigh, sizing up is strongly recommended.
The standard approach is to measure bust, natural waist, and hips, then compare against the Portia and Scarlett size chart. If your measurements fall between two sizes, size up for the hip measurement and plan for a minor waist adjustment by a local seamstress if needed — taking in the waist is much simpler than letting out a boned corset bodice. Customers who are petite in height should also budget for a hem alteration, as the train is designed for a standard formal length. For the most accurate sizing guidance, reach out to the Marlas Fashions concierge before ordering.