Ordered a standard size 16W and had it slightly altered for a better fit. I am 5'10" and was pleased that it was just the right length. The material was real quality and the grape colour I ordered received loads of favourable comments. I found I had to wear a strapless bra as the bones built into the dress were not strong enough but that wasn't a problem. The only slight niggle was the plastic fasteners on the straps, one broke the first time I tried it on so I replaced them with stronger ones which kept pinging off during the day wish I'd fastened them down by sewing. I am in my fifties and wore this dress for my registry office wedding and it was ideal.