What is a military ball? It is an annual glamorous event of ceremony attended by officer and enlisted service members along with their respective guest/ dates. The host may be a branch of ROTC in high school or an active military unit for career service personnel. In some cases, the ball are to celebrate the branch’s birthday, but not always. There is a social hour, receiving line, dinner, observance of the flag, and recognition/ award events. It may seem like prom or formal wedding, while there are some very specific fashion rules. Service members are in dress blues or Class A uniform and dates/ spoues attend in formal finery.
The problem is you’re invited to a military ball, but you aren’t sure what kind of dress to wear to military ball, is a strapless dress OK to military ball. I’ll put your mind at ease and help you feel comfortable and beautiful on the night, so you won’t say “I wish I had known what type of dress to wear to my first Military Ball” in future 10 year. And for any kind of affair like a military ball dinning out there is usually a protocol officer appointed to help answer questions surrounding the event including dress and some such.
What kind of dress to wear to military ball?
The ball is an opportunity for service members to honor and celebrate their military heritage, it is a formal event, those who attend must be mindful of the dress code expectations.
As a rule, only the military member is under rules of dress and appearance. However, an actual ball will require formal attire, so a strapless is proper if it certainly meet the requirement, and you probably need to take a wrap or something just in case or better yet.
A military ball is a formal event, men who are guests wear formal attire with darker suits or tuxedos, while femal member wear formal gowns and dresses. They may also have option to wear their dress uniform, and the skirt uniform is considered the most approporiate for military balls. Also the corresponding hat while entering and exiting the miliraty ball is necessary.
Dresses for female guests are formal length, which is often to the floor. But recently as smaller versions of military balls, high school military balls held by all branches of the armed forces, the length can do to the knees or just below.
Here’s the basic guildlines to choose a classy and conservative military ball gown, not caudal or trashy:
- As a formal event, military members will be in their fanciest dress uniform. As a date, your attire should be equally formal. This generally means a floor-length dress is best, not a shorter “cocktail length” dress. All dresses should be long enough to cover ankles, column dresses with back or high slit should not be higher than mid-thigh. But it doesn’t need to be a puffy ball gown and have a train, either.
- Appropriate, it is a differrent definition for everyone, but it is a work function. So try to cover underwear, cleavage, and the midriff. If you have to ask, “Is this showing too much?” the answer is probably yes.
- Wear something comfortable, includes, military ball dress and shoes, you will wearing them all night with lots of sitting, standing and dancing.
- If you are wearing gloves as part of your formal attire, remember to remove your right glove and hold it in your left hand when you meet people and shake hands. Furthermore, ensure your hands are clean and well-kept.
- Color doesn’t matter unless it is neon. Lots of people want to match dress to the military uniform, it is unnecessary. The choice is yours, wearing a unique color will stand out and get lots of compliments too.
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What colors should wear to the ball?
Many girls choose to coordinate their gowns to the official colors of the military branch of their program, for example, navy blue and gold for Navy ROTC, this is not requirement, just avoid clashing colors with the dress uniform, that’s OK.
Complimentary colors you may consider for your military ball dress includes jewel tones such as deep reds, dark purples, and emerald greens, they all look amazing with color blues.
And elegant neutrals like black, matt gold or silver, muted copper look fantastic with any uniform.
What Not to wear to a militray ball?
There are some things that probably should be avoided:
- Do not wear bright neon colors, it isn’t not a good look for anyone, it’s not coming back. The same goes for any big or bold prints, or anything too “flashy” to the party. For the servicemen in uniform are the main attraction and honorees, This is your time to blend into the background not steal the spotlight.
- Any dress with a train or fish tail will only attract people stepping on your gown.
- Cocktail dresses, mini dresses, or crop top & skirt combo as absolutely inappropriate for a military ball. Even if high school military ball is less formal for less formal attire, don’t wear a dress in length above the knee. Tea length (mid calf) and high low dresses are acceptable.
- Dresses with side cut out, side boob, body con dresses are absolutely not appropriate.
- You can wear a strapless gown to the military ball, don’t forget to bring an evening wrap or bolero jacket for some units still follow tradition that shoulder should be covered during the receiving line.
Extra tips to get an funny military ball night
- Appropriate undergarment for your dress is necessary. Bra, shape wear, slips, camisoles or any undergarment should not be visible.
- Closed toes shoes tend to look more formal. And make sure you practice walking and dancing your shoes serval days before the event. Pre-scuff the sole of any new heels to prevent an accidental slip, also this trial run will help you avoid unnecessary pain at the event.
- You will be shaking hands in the receiving line, bracelets and rings will make that diffcult. Loose, clunky, bangle bracelet have a tendency to be loud at the worst possible time, like during a toast, so avoid these.
- Your bag for the party should be clutch, wristlet, or small bag for bringing lipstick, powder compact, breath mints, cell phone and you ID.
