Tight in the chest as others have noted. I was able to wear a strapless bra without the strap showing in the back which was great. And lots of compliments!

I have never gotten more compliments on an outfit as I did when I wore this dress. I was a bridesmaid in a black tie wedding and it was absolutely perfect! So comfortable and classy! There is no stretch in the material so I recommend sizing up especially for girlies with a bigger chest! 

Such a chic dress. I wore this to work a black tie event, so the full length (not floor length or train) was perfect. I received so many compliments and this felt much more expensive than it is. It does run tight/small across the shoulders and arms, so the XL was perfect for a size 12. The back does cut so low that you cannot wear a regular bra. 

I loved this dress, was a bit tight in the chest but a minimizer helped. You couldn’t tell because the fabric is so heavy weight. It hangs so well. Plus it’s got pockets, which are dream. I wore with 3 1/2 heels and had no issues.

Nice weighty fabric that didn’t wrinkle easily. It was structured enough that the bow stood nicely however you tied it. The cutout in the back isn’t so low that you can’t wear a strapless bra, which was nice. The length was perfect for petites. I’m 5’1” and it was the perfect length with heels. I’d recommend ordering your true size, if you tried to size down the arms would be too snug. 

Wore this for a wedding and it fit beautifully at 28 weeks pregnant. I ended up wearing a size bigger than normal to comfortably fit the bump. Not too low in the back (wore a normal bra) and was a comfortable dress to wear for a 8+ hour day. I received so many compliments and I felt gorgeous in this dress. 10/10 recommend renting this. 

Received so many complements on the simple elegance of this dress! It has a very flattering shape (doesn’t cling to any particular problem area) and the length for my 5ft 1in was just right with 3inch heels! Not too long at all! So elegant and classic! I will definitely be renting this dress again in a different color

Stunning dress and amazing quality! This is my second STAUD dress I’ve worn and love them. 
I am 5’9 and got a small and it fit perfect length wise with 3 inch heels. It was a tinyyy bit tight in the  chest where I couldn’t really move my arms above my head that well but a medium was too long and loose. Would definitely rent again especially in another color!! 

I loved this dress ! I didn’t wear a bra bc the back
Scoops low so if that’s not an option for you keep in mind. I got so many compliments on this  dress at the wedding. It’s classic and timeless. 

easily my favorite thing I have ever worn- chic, timeless, and elegant!

Great fit…only negative is the dress was tight in the arms.  
I typically wear a small in dresses and the small fit perfectly.  I got a ton of compliments! 

Simple yet elegant dress! Wore to a Black & White gala. The pockets made it that much better … cell phone, lip gloss, and keys were at the ready with no need to carry a clutch or handbag. The only challenge was that you should be prepared to steam or press. The fabric does not travel well in the small shipping bag … otherwise, no regrets!

This dress is perfect! It was a little tight when I lifted my arms and made it a little hard to dance but loved it still. 

I rented this for a formal (black tie or fancy cocktail), winter wedding but ended up wearing the other dress (mostly for the holiday/NYE feel of the other one). I ordered the SR for backup but would have worn XSR (for the length and less drowning effect for my petite stature). The sleeves are tight(er), I wouldn’t have been able to lift my arms completely over my head, otherwise mobility was fine in front of me (I have more athletic-like than thin arms). The picture attached was taken with 3 inch heels on, I wouldn’t have been able to wear anything shorter at my height. The front of the dress was quite plain, the back was really beautiful with the really long tie. The material is stiffer, it doesn’t flow down - if my arms were not hanging down, the dress does triangle out (hard to describe?). The pockets were a GREAT size. It would have felt a little too formal for what others wore to the wedding.

A small side note, my sister and I used to compete in choral quartets and it felt A LOT like the dresses we had to wear for those. A friend also commented it looked like a caroling dress.

I still really liked it and would say it’s a classic if this is the look you’re going for. The back really is beautiful.

The style and material are fantastic. It has pockets, so you get a star for that, alone. But, as others have said, the shoulder/underarm area is TIGHT. 

Staud

Black Ilana Gown

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