What type of dress should I get?
I am going to a military ball- a dance. I don’t know what color/type of dress to get. It has to be modest- nothing that shows cleavage and has to be close to my ankles.I have never been to a formal dance so I don’t know what the typical attire would be for this. Any suggestions?
I am going to goodwill and St.Vinnies (thrift stores) to look. I don’t have enough money to go to a mall.
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17 Answers
Can’t you ask another female that has attended one of these type dances to see what kind of dress is appropriate?
Just an idea.
Try on everything that fits regs. You will know which is the right one when you see it in the mirror.
When is the dance?
Check craigslist. You can find prom dresses on there year round in my area. Lots of them. Sometimes you can find like a $200. dress for like $40.
Go to google images and punch in “Fenale military ball dress.” Make sure you include “female”, or you will get formal military dress uniforms.I liked the first one that came up.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d9/e3/cf/d9e3cf0573f3f5d73153715041b34d98.jpg
You’ll get the idea of what to look for in the second hand shops. LOL. It used to be that women had to wear elbow length silk gloves as well. I’m old school. I would flip if a girl wore those gloves with that dress.
If you live in a town with a really high-end shopping section, like a Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, or a Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, that is where you will find the best second hand stores—usually set back from the main drag or on a smaller street. They are usually supporting some prestigious charity. You’ll find stuff worth thousands of dollars for a hundred and only worn once or twice. I saw a $17,000 D’or classic for $225 in the window of a shop on Worth Avenue. It looked like something Jackie Kennedy would wear. Most of the stuff was under $50. And they’ll do alterations for you on the house. Billionaires’ cast-offs. I buy a lot of my sailing clothes in a Worth Avenue second hand shop when I’m in the Miami area. High quality, light weight, rip-stop, pocketed shirts and pants that retail at $250 and $650 respectively going for five to twenty bucks—and the prices are negotiable. Quality lasts for decades.
If a young, eighteen year old girl came into my shop and explained her problem just as you did above, I’d really work with her. I’d find it all so very charming. I don’t think I’m alone in this.
Something like a Chinese dress but in another color?
As long as it’s conservative where it needs to be conservative it should be fine.
What branch of the service is your date? Is he Navy and will be wearing dress blues? Dress whites? Maybe what he wears will influence you a little, but it doesn’t have to.
A dark color like Navy or black, can be a very simple dress, and be formal enough. I mention it, because simple often is less expensive.
Macy’s was in last call a week ago if you do want to try the mall. I bought $90 pants for $18. You have to find the clearance section. They might have already shipped out what’s left, I’m not sure.
Is the ball very soon? Prom
Dresses will be going on sale soon. That’s another possible mall option. It still won’t be as cheap as a second hand store probably, but could be reasonable. Dillard’s usually has a great Prom dress section, very reasonable, and I did walk by that section in Macy’s, and the dresses out were very nice. I don’t know how inexpensive you need, but plenty of dresses under $100 right now. I don’t know if places like Kohls have fancy dresses? That might be cheaper.
You could ask some girlfriends if they have a dress you can borrow.
What about your date? Will he help you buy the dress?
Too late to edit. I would stick to a solid, or very close to solid, if you feel unsure or worried about it. Don’t get a floral print, or much a print in general. Unless the print is very much your personality and you will feel confident even if you are one of the few wearing a print.
Another Macy’s link because above it was just the one dress. You might google other stores too. I prefer going to the store in person than online myself.
In two weeks they will most likely be even more discounted, because prom will be over.
How would you describe your body type? Are you tall and lean, short and curvy? Something else? What colour do you like? Do you have anything in your mind at the moment?
In the end, what you buy will be determined by what is available, but if you can give us some more info, I’m sure we can give you some tips on what to look for to suit you.
I’m in the corner with @Earthbound Misfit. Your carriage matters in the selection of a gown for the ball. You should also consider whether or not you are going to be called on to spend a lot of time twirling on the dance floor. You want a dress that will hold up and remain comfortable. And this piece of advice goes double for your shoes.
I suggest go with a black gown/dress, evening gown style, with straps. No cleavage but maybe show a little back and shoulder? Stylish and Cosmopolitan. And don’t shoot the messenger. OK, don’t shoot the suggseter. I don’t like pain, pain hurts,
I’ve been to plenty of them. Just a regular gown. Just about any of these are fine to wear. But if you prefer modest, then I would avoid any with a plunging neckline or high split. Flowery designs may be to prom looking and the top with the skirt isn’t really considered a gown so I would avoid that one. Plenty of women wore these types. I always had to wear a bra so I could never get away with a shoulderless gown. But I did have an open back once when I found a gown that had the bra sewn into it and was so snug it gave great support.
I forgot to mention. You can also see if any of your friends who are going that may be about your size are planning on not wearing a dress they wore before. I use to have friends who would share gowns with those they knew who could not afford it, or who would sell it at a low rate. I wanted to go with my husband one year when I was 7 months pregnant but thought it would be best not to waste money on a new dress. A friend of mine heard why I wasn’t going and she offered me a gown she wore when she was pregnant. I had to take it up because she was a bit taller but the fit was great. All it cost me was the alteration to the hem.
To be safe, I’d go with a solid color, no embellishments or patterns. You should ask for help at whichever stores you go to, they might be able to assist you more. Just explain what the dress is for.
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