The dress has a satin base with a lace overlay. The waist is embellished with sparkly and white beading, and the lace is dotted throughout with small beading that sparkles in the light. The straps are very thin, with a wider, capped-sleeve lace overlay. In the back, the V meets just below mid-back and is secured with a zipper. The train is longer in the back and spreads out beautifully behind while walking or standing. I found the dress very easy to move in and dance in. I was comfortable all night!
The dress is still in good shape, with just a couple slight pulls in the lace. These can easy be repaired, and if you aren't searching for them, they aren't really visible. After being worn and stored for a year, there is some yellowing inside the bodice, and on the straps and lace on the shoulders. There is a half-inch tear in the lace along the hemline - if you hem this at all, that will disappear. There are a couple of small stains on the right side of the bodice, right around the hips: two small dots from red frosting and a yellowed spot from gingerale. The dress has not been washed. The hemline has been scrubbed, but still needs professional cleaning.