Bottom 2 buttonholes are sewn shut, 4 button section of the dress above was sewn together so that you have to step in to put it on, and buttons were moved to the front panel so that portion stays shut when wearing and doesn’t pucker open-however, you do have to step in to the dress and can no longer open it all the way as it is sewn shut in that section-you could still take those stiches out if preferred, but would also need to move the buttons back and re-open the buttonholes.