The waist is elastic, so it creates a flattering silhouette while still being comfortable! The cuffs also have some elastic, so you don't have to bother with buttons to put your hands through. The front of the neckline has gathers (see photo 4). The back of the neck has an elastic loop that hooks onto a black button (see photo 5). The fabric is black with a fine blue-gray floral pattern (see photo 3). There is no lining. I wore it in spring and autumn, pairing it with socks, a cardigan, tights, and a short coat. It's a very easy-to-wear and lovely dress, but... My arms are long, and the sleeves were a bit too short for me, so my arms would show when I reached out. I've decided to try listing it. I'd love to pass it on to someone who might like it. If you have standard-length arms, you should be able to wear it as a proper long-sleeved dress.