I got this dress for a friend who is going to her first SCA event.. The bodice is double layer, and construction appears to be good quality, but I must agree with the reviewer from 11/21/09... The sleeves are crap, and the only detail keeping me from giving the dress a 5 star rating. My friend already wants to cut them off and attach better made sleeves.
The only other complaint I had was that the lace was cut cord without so much as a piece of tape to keep it from raveling slightly. (very slightly).
Over all we are very happy with the dress. I would not mind having a couple more like it as loaner garb.
I do think they are sized a li'l large. according to the sizing chart an XXL should have fit my friend with an inch or two to spare, but lacing as tight as possible still results in enough room to fit my fist between her back and the bodice. We will likely end up taking it in just a bit.