<p>My daughter has been invited to a Military Ball by her best male friend. While she will get more information this week, I was curious about the dress. I assume the woman dress is ball gown vs. prom type dresses. She is 25 years old, so not a teenager and has always dressed nice, nothing sparkly or too revealing. She has a gown from a Gala when she worked in event planning, but she thinks she has to wear a certain color for the Ball, a color that matches the soldiers uniform. Like I said, she will get more information in the next couple of days; I was just interested to gets some thoughts here.</p>
<p>All I know of military is what I learned on the tv show Army Wives!!</p>
<p>A long gown. Relatively conservative by today’s standards. Nothing skanky - no midriff showing (<strong>shudder</strong>!), no excessive cleavage. If the gown is strapless she should have a pashima or other cover. That said - she does not have to look frumpy!
Don’t worry about the color too much - if he is Army (?) then he will probably wear a dark blue jacket. She can ask what color his uniform jacket will be - dark blue or white (most likely not white though)
What color is her gown?</p>
<p>She can ask what branch he is. The branches have different colors for trim - presumably so you can look across the room and tell if someone is infantry or civil affairs.
Honestly, her dress does not have to match or coordinate - but she might not want to clash.</p>
<p>She doesn’t do skanky, and usually stays away from strapless; hates the constant pulling up to cover herself all night!! Her current gown is a purple shade I think; it is hanging in her closet here, so I need to take a look at it. While the dress is beautiful on her, it is also a dress I would wear-if I had a better body! That said, my daughter is always looking for a excuse to buy a new dress :)</p>
<p>He is Army and for some reason I think his jacket is blue as I think I have seen a picture of him in it. </p>
<p>Because I was bored, I was googling Military Balls and see they offer Ball etiquette classes on base. I had never thought about someone needing that, but I guess not everyone has been exposed to something so formal. My kids when to cotillion class in elementary school; I guess my daughter will know which fork to start with :)</p>
<p>Oh, and I found this on Facebook; is there anything that doesn’t make it way to Facebook?</p>
<p>[Military</a> Ball Etiquette | Facebook](<a href=“http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150185981893714]Military”>Redirecting...)</p>
<p>Everything is on facebook - lol!</p>
<p>If she is hankering to buy a new dress - have her find out his branch and the color of the trim on his uniform, then she won’t clash.<br>
She should ask him to teach her the Army toast and protocol so she won’t feel out of place. They will have to go through a receiving line so she can ask him about that.
The ettiquete class might not be a bad idea - she will learn a few tips beyond putting her napkin in her lap 
I hope she has a great time!</p>
<p>I could not read it before but that facebook article is really good. Lots of good tips there.
I hope she has a good time.</p>
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<p>I’ve been to 23 military balls (with the same Marine) and not once have I coordinated my dress to match his uniform. I get what looks best on me! And the pictures of Mr PMK in his Marine dress blues and me in my gown always come out nicely (we consider it proof that we do actually clean up once a year!) On the other hand, it is a good excuse to buy a new gown!</p>
<p>A good thing to know is that once the ballroom doors are closed for the ceremony to start you do not get up to leave the room. She may be asked to stand during the ceremony (for the flag presentation, if they toast the ladies, etc.) but no leaving. So, keep track of time and make sure to use the ladies room prior to the ceremony. If it’s an emergency, of course she can get up and leave but you are expect to keep your seat. </p>
<p>There will be an opportunity to have their portrait taken, typically in front of an American flag and the service flag. Do it early in the evening before the line gets long and before anyone has had anything to drink.</p>
<p>Speaking of drinking, it can feel intimidating at first when this is all new and the temptation is to take the edge off with a few drinks. Don’t do it! One drink is fine during cocktail hour but the time to drink more than that, if she wishes to do so, is after the formal ceremony. </p>
<p>I know she’ll have a wonderful time!</p>
<p>P&K, Good news on the dress color if that is really the case. Actually her dress is a blueish purple, so I think it would look fine next to his dress blues. The dress is beautiful, purchased about 1 1/2 years ago at the Saks outlet, with an additional sale and coupon. I believe it was an $600+ gown that she paid under $200 for; my mother actually shopped with her so my memory is a bit fuzzy on the details!</p>
<p>While reading some of the etiquette sites, I saw mention of gloves for the women. Not as a necessity, but if wearing them, the right glove must be removed before the receiving line. Any idea if gloves are worn more often than not? If so, should they be long gloves? </p>
<p>I am sure my daughter is sitting at home looking online at gowns “just in case” she can not wear hers, while secretly hoping to be able to purchase a new gown 
At the same time, mom her is hoping she can wear her current dress knowing that airfare and I am guessing a hotel room will not be cheap. I am assuming there is no where for her to crash on base for free; this isn’t college anymore, so she will have to most likely stay at a hotel; something she is use to doing as she travels all the time for work.</p>
<p>A silly question here- Are Military Balls only for officers, or are there separate Balls for enlisted men/women, or is every one invited to the same Ball? I can’t remember seeing an episode of Army Wives that included a Ball, so I am clueless! ;)</p>
<p>Wow, great deal on the dress! I’ve only seen a few women wear gloves through the years and they were opera length, I never have. </p>
<p>The ball may be held in a hotel, in which case there should be discounted rooms for those attending. Her date should make those reservations and, in my opinion, pay for the room. </p>
<p>Who goes to a military ball is determined by the size of the group involved. On a very small base, everyone might go. On larger bases, there may be a dozen or more balls. For example, the officers from a bases squadrons will have a ball while the enlisted members of the squadron have their own ball.</p>