This dress is beautiful. The knife pleating creates a very slimming silhouette. My daughter is 7 years old, a size 8-10 and on the taller side. I ordered a 10 which fit well. The back of the waist band is elasticized which allows for extra give. The dress is very long... ankle length. The colours are lovely and the cardigan sits neatly, not taking away from the beauty of the dress itself ( the dress has spaghetti straps). I have given 4 stars because the item is not lined. While the pleats remove some of the transparency from the chiffon of the dress, you would still have to add bike shorts or something under for added security.