Navy Ball

[Divinity]

So.. I need some help here, please.

I'm thinking about going to a Naval Ball in October and I have no idea what is appropriate dress attire. The invitations say black tie. It's been awhile since I have been to anything with an evening gown so is it still classical evening gown, long dress attire or is there now some more modern approach to it? How high is too high for a dress pump? I just need help with all that jazz. I have some ideas for dresses that I'll post later. Anyone able to help me out here?

[Allereli]

I love dress shopping!! I would go with something long in length and shorter on sparkle because of military formality. check out ideeli, ruelala, and hautelook for daily sales, they often have evening gowns. Another option is Rent the Runway.

start with the dress, then look for shoes.

[Divinity]

Well, this is what I have in mind. I'm partial to the first and fourth dress but I'm not sure what's appropriate still. :/

[Divinity]

I love dress shopping!! I would go with something long in length and shorter on sparkle because of military formality. check out ideeli, ruelala, and hautelook for daily sales, they often have evening gowns. Another option is Rent the Runway.

start with the dress, then look for shoes.

Oh sweet. Thanks!

[Allereli]

also, google image search navy ball and whatever city you'll be in to see how people have dressed in the past. I'm always thinking Washington, DC, but it looks less formal elsewhere.

[leifastagsweed]

My fav is the pewter colored one, #3

[WRoss]

You can also wear a navy blue dress for black tie navy.

[Divinity]

You can also wear a navy blue dress for black tie navy.

Not my color but thanks for the idea. :)

[Divinity]

also, google image search navy ball and whatever city you'll be in to see how people have dressed in the past. I'm always thinking Washington, DC, but it looks less formal elsewhere.

I tried. :/ Either I suck at searching (which is possible..) or it's difficult to find. This one is in Panama City Beach, FL.

[Allereli]

http://www.seawolfbase.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/navyball2010.jpg

[Allereli]

that blue halter poofy thing is too much

[Tsk Tsk]

So.. I need some help here, please.

I'm thinking about going to a Naval Ball in October and I have no idea what is appropriate dress attire. The invitations say black tie. It's been awhile since I have been to anything with an evening gown so is it still classical evening gown, long dress attire or is there now some more modern approach to it? How high is too high for a dress pump? I just need help with all that jazz. I have some ideas for dresses that I'll post later. Anyone able to help me out here?

It's honestly a mix of modern and traditional at the military balls I've been to mostly due to age/rank factors of the girls attending. The dresses you picked out are great but I'd personally suggest the floor length ones (because honestly how often to you get to wear long evening dresses?) unless you plan on getting down with your bad self on the dance floor. The pewter is nice but that red one is stunning.

[Divinity]

@ Allereli: You definitely have a searching skill set. :D Those all look like cadets and I'll be with senior officers and stuff. Does that matter when getting fancied up?

[Divinity]

It's honestly a mix of modern and traditional at the military balls I've been to mostly due to age/rank factors of the girls attending. The dresses you picked out are great but I'd personally suggest the floor length ones (because honestly how often to you get to wear long evening dresses?) unless you plan on getting down with your bad self on the dance floor. The pewter is nice but that red one is stunning.

Yeah, that's what I thought could be the case. I'm not sure of the age range. There are a lot of young families on base but that doesn't mean they'll all be attending.

[Tisket]

Go long. That chick at the end in the short blue dress looks like she accidentally stumbled into the picture just as the photographer was snapping the shot.

[Divinity]

Well, thank you all for your opinions and help. I really REALLY appreciate it! From the feedback it seems the best way is to go safe on this one. Again, thank you so very much. :)

[Tisket]

Well, this is what I have in mind. I'm partial to the first and fourth dress but I'm not sure what's appropriate still. :/

I like the second one. It looks like it'd be easy to alter to a shorter dress later, making it more versatile and a better investment.

Fuck I don't know, pick whatever makes you feel good.

[Drew]

Well, this is what I have in mind. I'm partial to the first and fourth dress but I'm not sure what's appropriate still. :/

Speaking as someone who reads sartiorial blogs because I'm probably at least 1/8th gay: dress #1 I urge you not to buy, I don't know why women buy a cut like that, a Victoria's Secret model would look like a barn in that cut. It might look good on the shelf, it will not look good at you. If you are of the thinner to middling body type I would highly recommend dress #2. It's got a "Portrait of Madame X" thing going on, and what is shocking for Paris circa 1880 is probably perfect for a Navy Ball today. Three is too bedazzled, it's nice looking but not appropriate being strapless. 4 will look bad on most body types, 5 has a prom dress cut and the collar thing is old.

My basic recommendations are: black. You can wear a more aggressive cut in a black dress at black tie. Or you can go for a more conservative cut in a brightly coloured dress. I'm going to make the presumption that you want to make the guy you're going to the ball with look good to his superiors. They will be older gentleman and they will be impressed with your taste and decorum. In that photo Allereli posted the girl on the far left probably thought she was impressing her peers but it's not a good look for the occasion and she wasn't doing the guy she was with any favours. Anyway, this is like the longest post I've made in three months and that worries me.

[EasternBrand]

How does this even require a moment's thought? Obviously a tube top.

Edit: Oh, nevermind. Naval Ball.

[msconstrew]

Speaking as someone who reads sartiorial blogs because I'm probably at least 1/8th gay: dress #1 I urge you not to buy, I don't know why women buy a cut like that, a Victoria's Secret model would look like a barn in that cut. It might look good on the shelf, it will not look good at you. If you are of the thinner to middling body type I would highly recommend dress #2. It's got a "Portrait of Madame X" thing going on, and what is shocking for Paris circa 1880 is probably perfect for a Navy Ball today. Three is too bedazzled, it's nice looking but not appropriate being strapless. 4 will look bad on most body types, 5 has a prom dress cut and the collar thing is old.

My basic recommendations are: black. You can wear a more aggressive cut in a black dress at black tie. Or you can go for a more conservative cut in a brightly coloured dress. I'm going to make the presumption that you want to make the guy you're going to the ball with look good to his superiors. They will be older gentleman and they will be impressed with your taste and decorum. In that photo Allereli posted the girl on the far left probably thought she was impressing her peers but it's not a good look for the occasion and she wasn't doing the guy she was with any favours. Anyway, this is like the longest post I've made in three months and that worries me.

I agree with Drew here. You don't have to go with black if that's too severe for your skin tone; charcoal and navy blue are both acceptable dark colors that can be more flattering than black. I would stay well away from strapless gowns unless you're model thin because, otherwise, you're going to have that unattractive fat pocket (is there a term for this?) along the top of the dress near the juncture of the upper arm. Not attractive.

I've been to a number of black tie charity events, and I think you can wear a fairly understated gown if you accessorize it well. If you're going with a gown that has some bling, then you need to plan your accessories accordingly. And don't forget: the shoes can make or break the dress.

[Rinualdo]

I've been to a dozen of these every year on the Navy's birthday. The only advice I can give is to keep it simple, lowkey but formal, and certainly not over-the-top. The goal should be to blend in, not be noticed.

[EasternBrand]

I think I have a sense of what this is supposed to be, and I agree with the blending in bit. If you have a date, I'd recommend something along the lines of this:

http://mydisguises.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/boat-costume.jpg

Of course you'll want the proper flag.

[4a6c1]

I would choose the understated little black dress myself, I have loads of them because they can never go wrong and they get RECYCLED. You will see once you get there. You will know the lazy people by the little black dresses they are wearing. Short dresses at a black tie are appropriate for young women. The tea dress is completely inappropriate for a ball. The others are too overstated. The auburn is lovely and would compliment your coloring although I personally dislike brooches on a gown.

I attend several black tie events a year for fundraising although never military so what I have to say might be incorrect for what you need. I imagine military events would be even more understated for the women since the focus is on honoring the vets therefore less is more. If so, once again I say, little black dress (although with straps as everyone else has suggested).

[BriarFox]

#1 conveys the unfortunate idea that you're 15 trying to look 27 and failing. It's traditional, boring, and has an unflattering cut. #5 reminds me of Samantha from the original "Bedazzled" TV series -- that is, like a '60s housewife dressing up to impress her husband's boss. #3 has too much bling, I agree, though the color is nice. #2 and #4 are my favorites. #2 has more of a conservative, charity-event feel to it. I could see a politician's wife wearing it, though not a female politician. #4 is my favorite if you're going for sexyness, but I don't know how many women can pull off the figure suggested in that photo you posted.

[Divinity]

#1 conveys the unfortunate idea that you're 15 trying to look 27 and failing. It's traditional, boring, and has an unflattering cut. #5 reminds me of Samantha from the original "Bedazzled" TV series -- that is, like a '60s housewife dressing up to impress her husband's boss. #3 has too much bling, I agree, though the color is nice. #2 and #4 are my favorites. #2 has more of a conservative, charity-event feel to it. I could see a politician's wife wearing it, though not a female politician. #4 is my favorite if you're going for sexyness, but I don't know how many women can pull off the figure suggested in that photo you posted.

Almost any woman could pull off #4 given a proper cincher/corset. I kinda liked #5 for that reason. Lol I pull off some dresses like that well.

Think I'm going with #4 with a black lace bolero jacket and strappy sandal. Thank you, everyone! :)

[Stanley Burrell]

Fuck that. Wear something that'll make all the seamen want to bend you over the portside rail. Too many of these damn regulations "dress codes". Go against the grain in this regard. I have a personal vendetta for having to wear all sorts of ridiculous shit for civilian and other sectors for occasions that are about as important as tying your shoe laces. Sometimes more serious stuff though.

Back to the point ... if I had one: I don't know.

I wouldn't fret over it. Unless it's BYOP. And I think Pudgees are Coast Guard. Those things are pretty cool though, so, yeah.

[Allereli]

don't forget to post pics!

[AnticorRifling]

Fuck that. Wear something that'll make all the seamen want to bend you over the portside rail. So you want her to dress like a dude?

[Lord Orbstar]

http://www.seawolfbase.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/navyball2010.jpg

lol those are sea cadets..aged 13-17...not sailors. Usually enlisted men's girlfriends dress like tacky whores to these things anyway. Not that you would/did.

[Divinity]

So, I went and it was AWESOME. I had lots of fun. Thank you to everyone that was able to lead me in the right direction and the laughs for those that weren't. They had a professional photographer there so I'm waiting for the photos to be sent to me in the mail.

As for the attire, there were many that wore ballgowns and went all out so I felt confident in what I wore. Good choice made by all of you! Thanks! :D There were like 2 or 3 girls that clearly did not know what they were doing. Picture: hefty girl, Marilyn Monroe white dress, no bra (she badly needed one because she was at least a size E) and teal pumps. This girl had confidence, for sure. Then there were a pair of ladies who, while appropriately dressed, decided that the ballroom and every room reserved was for them and taking duck-faced pictures. It was kind of obnoxious but not much to be said when one of them is the wife of the Master of Ceremonies and she is honorary sitting on the committee. Hopefully, I'll get professional copies of those two for your amusement.

[Divinity]

Officers being introduced. I didn't post all but you get the idea
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A table for those that couldn't come.
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[AnticorRifling]

I don't think I've ever been to a chow hall or dinner event that didn't have a place set for the POW/MIA. Glad to see they did it at the ball.

[Divinity]

National Anthem
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I'm in this pic allllll the way in the back lol
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More people standing:
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[Divinity]

This was my first time going to this type of event so I'm not sure what is regulatory and what is considered special. Either way, I thought it was neat that they honor and represent those that couldn't be there and what each piece signifies.

[Divinity]

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Awards
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On top of having two different kinds of cake at our tables, they had this birthday cake.
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[EasternBrand]

Officers being introduced. I didn't post all but you get the idea

Is that guy on the left in the first picture playing a really tiny trumpet?

[AnticorRifling]

It's a boatswain's call or bosun's whistle.


He's piping aboard the officers.

[Some Rogue]

Take it from Anticor....he knows a lot about Navy balls....

[AnticorRifling]

We've got the biggest balls of them all.

[Showal]

It's a boatswain's call or bosun's whistle.


He's piping aboard the officers.

Its adorable!!! Toot tooooot!

[Asha]

Wear a moo moo.

[Divinity]

Wear a moo moo.

A little late to chime in kiddo. Went. Posted pics. Go eat your cheese.

[Asha]

:( let down.