State Costume, Pageant Outfit of Choice, Mardi Gras, 6

White House Black Market

Size 6

Sleeveless White Pique dress made of 97% cotton, 3% spandex, and fully lined in 100% polyester.

Bought with one intention:  to make the perfect State Costume!

Was made to be a Mississippi State Costume for a pageant that my daughter was going to attend and didn't.  The bottom portion of the dress was covered down to the ruffles (and up to just below the torso section) with fishing net (not the fishy, smelly type).  The seams above and below the torso were covered with navy and gold trim (actually to signify the Navy presence in the State, but I doubt that anyone would have guessed).  A single magnolia blossom accentuates between the bossom and torso.  To the fishing net:  front center is a large sequinned alligator sporting a tux and appears to be playing a violin/fiddle flanked on each side by silver snakes.  Above his head is a fishing pole with a fish jumping up to the hook.  On the left side of the gator is the tropical section: a string of shells, beads, and flowers of yellow and orange race through the side from top to bottom, surrounded by pretty shells, pearls (of course), and sequins with a single resin crab and below, a plastic crawfish to the left and a white starfish with turquoise glitter and it flanked with a bright red tropical hibiscus bloom on each side.  The scattering of sequins continues down to the bottom of the ruffle.  To the right of the gator is the Mardi Gras area, with purple, gold, and green beads from a real Mardi Gras parade on the Coast, the same colored babies (one each) mixed in atop the beads, with a "Still Standing Still Shining 2006" green doubloon from the first Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi post-Katrina.  At the bottom of the beads at the ruffle are green and purple sequinned theatrical masks with gold and green  extending up from them, to the masks left - a small, purple-feathered porcelain doll head with tiny beads - typical of the area during Mardi Gras. There are three large Swarovski stones below in the Mardi Gras colors.  Keeping the similar theme, sliding around to the back of the dress from the Mardi Gras side, a casino beaded necklace of "pearls" and dice, with the large card symbols spade, diamond, heart, and club - a scattering of Swarovski stones throughout.  Down to bottom left of that area are several (5) hands of cards showing the Queen, King, and Ace of Hearts - all appliques and all also with a spattering of Swarovski crystal stones, as well as four dice with black Swarovski stones on the faces of those.  To the center are two very real looking latex magnolia blossoms flanked with magnolia leaves.  Below those is a honey bee hive with some honey bees flying (all appliques) with Swarovski crystal beads and golden stones. 

There is room to add more to either side of the back, more so the right side, which really doesn't have a lot beyond the fact that the tropical decorations did come around and cover some of it.  By the time I got to that portion of the dress, my daughter had decided to not attend the pageant.  So, YES, there can be more added, but no, I don't really think it is necessary, either.

This dress would be perfect for any competition that calls for a state costume.  Also great for parades to include any Mardi Gras festivity, costume party of any type especially those that celebrate areas that have these items, like, MS, LA, TX, AL, and FL, to name a few.  Pageant outfit of choice, as well.  Be creative in what you could use it for... 

There is a lot of time and a lot of money invested in the decorating of this dress.  Yes, this dress is heavy.  But wearable.  I made a younger version of something somewhat similar for my daughter a few years ago and she won the honor of being in that first Mardi Gras parade with the Govenor for winning 1st place in her age group costume in the city of Biloxi.  I am certain that this dress would have done/will do just as well in any other similar competition.  Most items are glued on with Beacon Gem-Tac, which is an outstanding glue. 

The dress was washed before decorating only to ensure it would be as soft as possible, and no, it came out perfectly despite the dryclean only tag.  ;)

Non-smoking home.  Please ask any questions before you bid as all sales are final.  I am selling several items that my daughter has never worn as I am tired of seeing them in the closet and we could use the space.  Please check back within the next few days to see what other bargains that are being listed.

Thanks for looking at my auction.

 This is the last time this item will be listed on eBay!