This dress runs a bit larger..it is closer to a 10 so I’m listing it under both. The size from Nortstoms is an 8. This dress is awesome! I wore it to my daughter’s wedding (see picture). I got it from Nordstroms. I first ordered a 10 which was miss sized …the waist was 6 inches wider than the sizing chart said so I ordered an 8 which was more true to size. I really should wear a 10 and the 8 fit but was a smog tight in the waist. I had 3 months and lost a bit of weight and it fit. So this dress is a 8-10. The waist on the outside as it sits on my body form is 33 inches. My actual waist is 32 inches. My bust is 37.5 inches. It can accommodate a fuller chest size. The arms a wider and longer than they appear on the slim model in the Nordstrom photo. 13” sleeve circumference just below the armpit. Sleeve length is 22 inches from shoulder seam to hem. I inserted a thin piece of clear elastic in both sides of the front to keep it from gaping ..you can see this gaping in the photo on the model. It can easily be removed. When I wore it, I also safety pinned the v neck so it closed a little higher. I am 5’9” . This dress would be easy to hem. There are three under layers..the slip can just be turn up and sewn. The two tulle petticoats can just be cut..they don’t need to be finished. The actual dress can just be turned up and sewn. Very easy. To alter the waist is a big deal. You would have to remove some of the beaded appliqués, alter it and then sew them back on.