How formal are Military Banquets?

Question

I'm a new military wife. My husband is an Army Recruiter, and this weekend is their Annual Training Conference. Spouces are welcomed to attend classes held durring the weekend and at the end is an Awards Banquet. My husband has to wear his dress blues, and I have a floor length formal black gown to wear. But as far as assorising, what should I do? How formal is this going to be? I love getting really formal, but I don't want to over do it. Can anyone give me a heads up for what to expect?

Please do NOT use this question to post your feelings about the military, Iraq, or war... if you do, I will report you.

Answer 1

I am going to one in January. My husband is an Army Recruiter as well but right now he is in the activated reserves. Anyway, if your husband has to wear his dress blues then you should wear a formal dress. That is what I am going to wear. I am going to get my hair and nails done as well. Just remember, this is the first time your husbands co-workers are going to meet you. It is always best to over do it than not. Good luck and have lots of fun.

Answer 2

Since he's going in Dress Blues, it's a formal occasion. However, since it's a Banquet, I wouldn't take formal to the extreme, like for a Ball. I'd go conservative since you have a floor length gown. Often situations like this are overdone and turn into fashion shows for the wives. This really takes away from the grandeur of the event itself. I'd get my hair and nails done, simple jewelry, shawl and matching purse. Simple but elegant.

Have fun and enjoy!!

Answer 3

they are fairly formal, just dress like you were going to a high school dance, the military isnt going to hold you to the standard of your husband, and besides how could over doing it be bad? the military banquets I have been to have been generally semi-formal, but then ive heard of very lavish banquets too, just dress in a way that seems comprable to dress blues, a nice evening gown and some jewellry will probably do you just fine.

Answer 4

Dress for your age, and your husband's rank. Dress nicely but remember you dont want to attract attention like how come Staff SGT so and so wife has those $500 shoes, and that $1000 purse, how can they afford it, or what do they do with all that money she does not look like she belongs.

Have fun, if you are young than have some fun with it dress up not a lot of times you can do that nowadays. If you are overtly worried I would say some timelessly elegant.

Answer 5

I retired from the militia after thirty years of service. There are styles of dinners, some are fairly formal and not in any respect many times open to the spouses, others are somewhat a lot less formal and nonetheless others are fairly casual. I advise you ask your husband for suggestion, if he doesn't recognize ask him to ask his boss, or better ideal yet, get the fashion of his bosses spouse and ask her. If that isn't any longer accessible, opt for extremely-conservative, then see what the different women individuals are wearing then bypass from there.

Answer 6

I really can't offer the best fashion advice, but being a former Army officer myself and considering that your husband is going to wear his dress blues, you should expect a considerable degree of pomp and circumstance. There are a myriad of rules, customs, and traditions (this depends upon the event). Whenever I wore my dress blues, I knew the event was highly formal. I think you should approach this event similarly. In terms of accessorising, a female perspective will be needed! Have fun and HOOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

If he's wearing blues I don't think you need to worry about being too formal. I assume he's wearing the bow tie. I would tend to err on the side of overdoing it, rather than underdoing it.

Try to find out if there will be any officers there, and if they'll be wearing mess dress. If so, be as formal as you want.

Answer 8

Your husband is lucky. I had to buy my wife a new dress in order to get her to go.

In terms of dress etiquette your husbands dress blues are considered to be the equivalent of a tuxedo. Most wives dress more to impress the other wives in a social status competition that the men are generally oblivious to.

Answer 9

I wouldn't accessorize too heavily. More than likely most of the women will not be wearing floor length gowns. It's quite a blend of what the women will be wearing. Most will show up in "Sunday Clothes."

Answer 10

simple and tasteful is always a good choice. Too much glitz and glamour tends to make you look cheap.

Pick one stunning peice of jewellry and go easy on the rest of it.. simple hair style, conservative makeup and nail color, shoes that you can actually walk and dance in, as cocktail hour is typically spent on your feet with nowhere to sit down.