Alex Marie Formal Dresses

The Sophie crepe sheath is machine washable on a delicate cycle with cold water and should be line dried to prevent shrinkage. All other dresses in our formal collection require dry cleaning due to delicate lace, sequin embellishments, or layered chiffon construction.

For minor spot cleaning between wears, use a damp cloth on most fabrics. Always test any cleaning method on the interior fabric swatch first, and avoid rubbing sequined areas vigorously as this can loosen the thread.

For fitted styles like the Vivienne gown and Sophie sheath, we recommend seamless underwear and a strapless or convertible bra to avoid visible lines. The Isabella chiffon maxi and Ella lace midi include built-in bust support for B-C cups, though larger cup sizes may want to add a stick-on bra for additional lift.

Many customers wear lightweight shapewear under our sheath and gown silhouettes for smoothing, though the mesh panels and quality linings provide structure on their own. Avoid heavy control garments that might show through lightweight fabrics like chiffon.

We recommend ordering at least three to four weeks before your event to allow time for delivery and any necessary alterations. Most alex marie formal dresses ship within two business days, with standard delivery taking five to seven business days.

If you need alterations like hemming or taking in the waist, allow an additional two weeks. Common alterations like shortening straps or hemming can typically be completed by local tailors within a week, but specialty work on beaded or sequined styles may require more time.

The Sophie crepe sheath includes hidden side seam pockets large enough for a lipstick and compact. Our other formal styles—the Ella lace midi, Vivienne sequin gown, and Isabella chiffon maxi—do not include pockets to maintain the sleek silhouettes and delicate construction.

We recommend pairing pocket-free styles with our coordinating evening clutches, which feature interior card slots and removable chain straps so you can keep essentials close without carrying a large bag.

We accept returns within 30 days of purchase for unworn, unaltered dresses with original tags attached. The garment must be in its original condition with no signs of wear, alterations, or deodorant marks.

Due to the formal nature of these pieces, we cannot accept returns on dresses that show any evidence of being worn to an event. We recommend trying on your dress as soon as it arrives with appropriate undergarments, keeping tags attached until you’re certain of the fit and style.

The Vivienne sequin gown and Isabella chiffon maxi are both appropriate for black-tie events, with floor-length silhouettes and elegant detailing that meet formal dress code requirements. The Ella lace midi and Sophie crepe sheath work better for black-tie optional or cocktail attire events.

If your invitation specifies “black tie” without the “optional” qualifier, we recommend choosing a floor-length gown. For “black-tie optional” events, knee-length and midi styles are acceptable, especially for daytime or afternoon celebrations.