I bought this in a size small to wear to car shows and rockabilly events in the summer (not for Halloween), and it fits me perfectly (5'4" ~125lbs, it's short like it shows on the model). The material is what you'd expect from a costume, but it's thicker than other costumes I've owned, I can see myself sweating in this in the sun in July. I recommend ordering a petticoat to wear with this if you don't own one already. And be aware there is no zip in the back, so you have to drop this baby over your head (if you're hippy like me) or step into it. The red strip is shiny red ribbon and what they don't show in the pictures is the blue and white striped part comes over your head and is like a bib in the back (really cute!), it drapes over the top hem of the dress (which sits mid-back) to hide your bra or whatever else you're hiding under there.