NEWDideyttawl Gianna

For a dress like this, I'd really suggest planning ahead. I checked the current tailoring and delivery times with support rather than guessing, and added an extra week on top for a fitting. It arrived well before her event and we had time to relax about it.

The sweetheart neckline and the little bow at the bodice are already such a statement, so we kept her hair and accessories really simple — just a thin headband. It looked elegant without feeling overdone, and she loved being the one with the bow.

We were looking for something fuller and more dressed-up than her everyday party dresses, and this delivered. The long sleeves and sweetheart neckline felt appropriate for a church wedding, but she said it was actually comfortable to sit and eat in during the reception.

This dress is stunning in person and the fabric feels more expensive than it is. Just plan for the length, with the shoes you'll want it may need a quick hem.

You can tell the quality is there, the velvet is thick, the stitching is clean, and the bow is attached securely. It's a classic look my daughter can wear for years.

The full skirt is everything a little girl hopes for. She spun around in it the whole evening. It's a lot of dress, but that's exactly what we wanted for a formal occasion.

I almost ordered by age and I'm glad I didn't. I sent support her height, bust and waist instead, and they pointed me to the right size for a floor-length style. It saved us from a return, especially since the gown runs a little long through the bodice.

The sweetheart neckline is so flattering, it softens the whole look instead of feeling too grown-up. My daughter wore it to her cousin's wedding and got compliments all night.

The velvet feels really nice and the bow is adorable, maybe just a touch bigger than I pictured from the photos. Overall it's a lovely dress and my daughter was happy with it.

Because it's a full ball gown, the length matters more than it would on a shorter dress. We measured her while she was wearing the shoes she'd be walking down the aisle in, and left a few days for the tailor to take it up just slightly. No tripping on the skirt, which was my big worry.