Portia and Scarlett Portia & Scarlett PS27228 Long

Portia and Scarlett PS27228 Black front view long gown with strapless neckline, mermaid silhouette, boned corset bodice and floral appliqués, photographed on a model for prom

Portia and Scarlett PS27228 Strapless Mermaid Corset Beaded Gown with Sweep Train

$1,119 CAD

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Black

Size :

Color :

Black

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the lace-up corset back on the PS27228 work, and can I adjust it on the night of my event?

The back closure on Portia and Scarlett PS27228 is a full lace-up corset system that runs from just below the neckline down to the base of the bodice. There are two parallel columns of grommets set into the satin back panel, and a single ribbon or cord laces through them in a criss-cross pattern — the same construction you see on a traditional corset. This gives you a continuous adjustment range across the full length of the bodice, which is genuinely useful for a mermaid gown because you cannot alter the silhouette in any other way once you are in it. The practical benefit is that the closure can be tightened or loosened by roughly an inch to an inch and a half on each side after you are dressed, which means a small fluctuation in your measurements between ordering and your event date does not result in a crisis. If you gain a little weight or you are bloated from nerves or a big dinner the night before, you can loosen the lacing enough to stay comfortable. If you lose a little weight, you can tighten it down so the bodice stays flush against your body rather than gaping. For prom and pageant events, most customers lace the corset snugly at the natural waist and slightly less tight at the ribs and hips so they can breathe and move freely through the night. The boning channels in the bodice do the structural work — the lacing holds your position but you are not relying on extreme tension to stay in the gown. One practical tip: practice lacing the gown at least once before your event, ideally with the person who will be helping you dress that night. Corset lacing gets much faster with one rehearsal. If you are going to a venue with a long evening ahead, consider tying the bow at the top with a second knot so it does not loosen gradually from dancing or movement. The ribbon is usually included with the gown; if yours arrives without one or you want a specific color ribbon to match your colorway, most craft or fabric stores carry the correct width. If you have questions about sizing relative to the lace-up range, or you want guidance on whether to size up or down before ordering, the Marlas team is happy to help you think through it before you place your order.

What events is the Portia and Scarlett PS27228 actually right for, and is it too much for certain occasions?

Portia and Scarlett PS27228 is a high-drama gown, and the honest answer is that it is built for specific events rather than every formal occasion. Understanding where it shines — and where it would feel out of place — saves you from a mismatch. Prom is the clearest fit. The mermaid silhouette, corset bodice, embellished skirt, and full train are exactly what prom dressing is built around. If you want to walk into your venue and have the gown do the talking before you say a word, PS27228 delivers that. All four colorways photograph beautifully under event lighting, and the beaded and floral embellishment on the skirt picks up both flash photography and ambient ballroom light. Pageant competitions are the second strong fit. This gown reads at Miss Universe level — the over-the-top floral embellishment, the trained skirt, and the structured bodice all point toward stage presentation. If you are competing in a pageant that expects a fully polished, theatrical evening gown, PS27228 is a serious contender. Galas and formal evening events work well when the event tone is celebratory and high-energy rather than conservative black-tie. Think charity galas, formal school events, or fashion-forward evening celebrations. The gown has a lot of personality and it pairs best with events that welcome that. Formal and evening events in general are a reasonable fit as long as the atmosphere supports a gown with this much embellishment. It is not a subtle dress, and in a setting where understated is the expectation, it would be overdressed. As a wedding guest, it suits formal evening receptions and black-tie celebrations best, where the dress's drama feels at home. The styling — corset back, heavy floral and beaded skirt, full train, mermaid silhouette — is too theatrical for a guest role at a wedding, where drawing attention away from the couple is a real concern. The gown reads as prom and pageant in its DNA, and black-tie collections typically favor a quieter, more refined evening gown silhouette. If you are deciding between this gown and a more understated option for a specific event and want an honest second opinion, the team at Marlas is available to help you think it through before you commit.

How does the PS27228 fit true to size, and should I size up or down for this silhouette?

Portia and Scarlett PS27228 runs close to standard formal sizing, and the lace-up corset back gives you roughly one to one and a half inches of adjustment on each side — so there is a built-in buffer that most mermaid gowns do not have. For most customers, ordering your standard size based on the bust and hip measurements works well. The bodice boning creates its own structure, so a small difference between your natural waist and the gown's waist is handled by the corset rather than requiring a perfect measurement match. The mermaid skirt fits close through the hips and thighs, so if your hips are your largest measurement, size to your hips rather than your bust. A minor adjustment at the bust can be made by a seamstress far more easily than letting out a fitted hip. Customers who are between sizes typically size up for this silhouette and tighten the corset rather than size down and risk restricted movement through the hips. For height, the train is designed for a heel. If you are petite, you will likely need the hem taken up — plan for that alteration before your event. If you are taller than average, the train may fall at a slightly shorter length than shown, but the gown's silhouette remains intact. If you want to share your measurements before ordering, the Marlas team can give you a specific recommendation.

What undergarments work best under the PS27228, and does the corset bodice provide enough support on its own?

The corset bodice on PS27228 includes visible vertical boning channels that run through the full length of the bodice, and in most cases this provides enough bust support to wear the gown without a separate bra. The boning holds the structure against your body, and the lace-up closure at the back keeps everything firm throughout the night. For most customers in the A through C cup range, the built-in structure is sufficient. If you are a D cup or above, a stick-on or adhesive bra can add extra lift and security without interfering with the strapless neckline or the corset closure. Avoid underwire bras with straps — they will either show at the neckline or create pressure lines against the boning. For the hip and thigh area, a smooth slip or seamless shaping short can help with both comfort and silhouette under the fitted mermaid skirt. The fitted section of this gown runs close to the body, so any underwear with a visible seam or thick waistband may show through lighter colorways such as Pink. Seamless, low-rise options are the safest choice. For the train, no special undergarment is required, but be aware that when you are seated, the train will pool behind you — that is normal for this silhouette. Planning your seating and movement ahead of time (especially for photos) will help you manage it comfortably.

Can the PS27228 be hemmed or altered, and what should I tell my seamstress?

Yes, PS27228 can be hemmed and tailored, and this is a common step for a mermaid gown with a train. The key thing to communicate to your seamstress is that this gown has a trained hem, which means the back of the skirt is intentionally longer than the front. Hemming it requires someone experienced with formal gowns who understands how to maintain the train's proportional length while bringing the front hem to your desired floor-length. Bring the shoes you plan to wear to your fitting — heel height changes the hem requirement significantly. For prom and formal events, most customers want the front hem to just graze the floor or sit half an inch above it so they can walk without stepping on the fabric. The mermaid skirt's fitted section through the hips and thighs is more difficult to alter than a standard a-line or ballgown skirt. Letting it out requires existing seam allowance, which may or may not be present. Taking it in is more predictable. Again, sizing to your largest measurement and adjusting the corset closure is usually the smarter path than trying to resize the hip seam. The beaded and floral embellishment on the skirt means any hem alteration in the embellished zone will need careful hand-finishing to avoid damage to the appliqués or beading. Budget extra time and cost if your hem falls within the embellished section.

Is the PS27228 comfortable to wear all night, and can I actually dance in a mermaid gown?

Dancing in a mermaid gown is absolutely possible with the right approach, and PS27228's construction supports it better than many gowns in this silhouette. The lace-up corset back means the bodice does not shift or ride up when you move — once it is laced snugly, it stays in position. The boning gives you a stable core so you are not fighting the gown between every song. The fitted skirt through the hips and thighs does limit stride length, which is the honest trade-off of the mermaid silhouette. You take smaller steps and your movement is more contained from the waist down. Most customers find they adjust to this naturally within the first hour of wearing the gown. The flare below the knee gives you real freedom of movement at the lower leg, which is what allows you to walk gracefully and move on a dance floor without feeling locked in. The train is the main practical consideration for dancing. On a crowded dance floor, it is worth gathering the train or looping it over your wrist for fast songs. Most formal venues have a small loop or button sewn into the train for exactly this purpose — check if PS27228 includes one, or ask your seamstress to add it during your fitting. The satin corset bodice breathes moderately well. If your venue is warm, plan for it.

How does the color look in person compared to online photos, and which colorway should I choose?

Online photos of PS27228 are a composite editorial image, which means the colors are photographed under controlled studio lighting and may appear slightly more saturated or cooler-toned on screen than in person. Here is a practical breakdown of each colorway. Black is the most true-to-life in photos. What you see online is close to what you will receive. The beaded floral embroidery on the Black gown appears as a dark tonal pattern in most lighting, but under direct event or stage lighting the beading picks up silver and iridescent highlights that add visible dimension. Black is the most versatile option if you are unsure. Navy reads similarly in person to how it appears online — a deep, saturated blue. Under warm venue lighting it can shift slightly warmer, but it remains clearly navy rather than purple or cobalt. Pink is the most variable colorway. The 3D floral appliqués on Pink read beautifully in person — the dimensional texture is more striking live than in a flat photo. The base pink tone is a mid-range pink; it is not blush and it is not hot pink, but a clear, warm pink. It photographs well but the texture is the real story in person. Burgundy photographs slightly darker than it appears in person under most event lighting. Live, it reads as a warm, jewel-toned red-burgundy rather than a near-black. It suits autumn and winter events particularly well and is a strong alternative to Black for anyone who wants warmth in the palette.

What shoes and jewelry work best with the Portia and Scarlett PS27228?

Because PS27228 carries a significant amount of visual detail — the structured corset bodice, the beaded or floral-appliqué skirt, the decorative drape accent, and the train — the most effective accessories are the ones that do not compete with the gown itself. For shoes, strappy heeled sandals or pointed-toe pumps in metallic (gold, silver, or rose gold) or a color that matches your gown are the most common and most successful pairings. The goal is a clean leg line under the mermaid skirt, so a shoe that visually extends the leg works better than a chunky or platform silhouette. Block heels are comfortable for a long night and still read as formal. Make sure whatever heel height you choose is what you bring to your hem fitting. For jewelry, the clearest rule is: do not double up on statement pieces. The gown already has presence. A single drop earring or a simple stud, paired with no necklace, keeps the neckline clean above the sweetheart corset. If you prefer a necklace, skip the statement earrings entirely. A thin chain or a simple pendant reads better than a full collar necklace against the strapless bodice. The decorative beaded drape element that runs over the upper arm reads as an accessory on its own, so a bracelet on the same arm can feel like too much layering. Call or text our Toronto boutique at 416-536-2956 and our stylists will help you find your perfect dress.

Portia and Scarlett PS27228 Strapless Mermaid Corset Beaded Gown

About the Dress: Portia and Scarlett PS27228

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Portia and Scarlett · PS27228 Strapless Mermaid Corset Beaded Gown

About the Dress: Portia and Scarlett PS27228

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

Portia and Scarlett PS27228 Strapless Mermaid Corset Beaded Gown

Easy
Returns

Worldwide
Shipping