Regardind size: I wore the size 40, but because it was very tight up top (I'm an A-cup) the tops of both boning kept digging into my skin. So I should've worn the 42. If you are a B-cup or bigger, definitely get the 42 or 44. Regarding the quality of the dress: The top of the boning was not flat against my skin (see my photo for how it bulges out) which I wouldn't excpect in a $600 dress. I also had to tape down all 4 (why are there so many?) ribbons to the inside of the dress with the Hollywood tape that was provided. One of them even got caught in the zipper. The zipper was also very difficult to zip up, even in the bigger size. The sequins keps sticking together at the bottom of the skirt, so I had to keep separating them throughout the evening. So it was kind of a mess. All in all, though, the dress was beautiful!