text: First off, the dress itself isn't quite like the picture. The color is similar enough, but how the dress is gathered is a little different. The picture makes it appear as though you can adjust how its gathered because there are strings hanging from the bustle. The bustles are actually gathered with an elastic, so they bounce, but don't adjust. So no strings. The bottom of the skirt is a tad different as well. But only just.<br /><br />There were just a couple of issues with the gown itself: First the bow on the bust wasn't quite centered, but it wasn't attached very well so it was easy to move. Second, the bow on the bust want attached very well. Lastly the zipper gets stuck halfway up the track. Whether I'm wearing it or not. It's not impossible to work with though. Just takes a little convincing to get moving again.<br /><br />Now with the fit, I took my own measurements to make sure I would get a gown that would fit. The sizes run a tad small, as I am usually an XL but ended up buying the XXL. I'm 5'6&#34; ish and just about 200 lbs. The dress is a little big in the bust,  a little small around the waist and the hip is just fine. By the measurements I knew the dress would fit this way, and it's fine. The ties up the back make it so I can synch the bust up a bit and make it fit better, and the waist is just a little tight. Nothing too bad though.<br /><br />So over all I'm happy. The dress works for what I need it to, and is a nice material, so it was worth the money. But there's just those few things that should have had a little more attention. Oh!  The free hoop skirt is nothing to be impressed by,  by the way.  ;) It works, but doesn't fit someone my size very well. It's a cheep fabric and one of the straps to tie it on is tearing off, the fabric is pretty easy to tear so you'll have to be careful. But I don't care too much, it was free after all.