military ball?? pic included....?

Question

my husband is in the marines and we have a military ball in November, we are stationed in japan but ordering a dress is not a problem.. i wanted to know does my dress have to be long or short? and i also heard that most people wear white, should i? i do not want to be too dressy .. should it be more like this peach dress.. http://www.nexteve.com/shop/evening-dresses/pink-halter-chiffon-F02_0521.html
or more like this black one...
http://www.nexteve.com/shop/cocktail-dresses/black-strapless-cascadingruffles-F02_0520B.html

any help is appreciated! thanks!

i was talking about all the balls in general as well!

does it matter what color the dress is?? or should i go with a red one to match my husbands dress blues?

Answer 1

i would def. get the peach one! its absolutely gorgeous!!! i also would go for a long one, it seems more elegant for those type of events. awwwww lucky you, i wanna go to a ball again too, they make u feel so appreciated as a military wife. have fun girl!! :-)

i would not go for white or red, white is too much like a wedding-dress-look-a-like and red is a little too bright i think.
im still in love with the peach one! and dont worry about the backround like the other girl said, we had a blueish backround that matched with all the different colored dresses.

@proudarmywife: lucky you, we got 12 more month to go...Hooooah! ;-)

Answer 2

The best thing to do if you have any questions is to talk to one of the officer's wives or the other wives on base who have gone before. Generally, military balls are formal, so floor length gowns are considered appropriate. However, I do know when we lived in Japan, there was a little more leeway simply because we had to order one from the states, so many women wore cocktail dresses.

As for color, black is always the best choice if there are no required colors. Red is striking, but unless you get the right shade it will not match the Marine red that will be around and you could clash with your hubby's mess dress.

Answer 3

Military balls are fun! So you should wear something comfortable and pretty! At my husbands ATC last year I wore a beautiful simple red dress that popped against his dress blues, but there were a lot of wives that wore what looked like they could be prom dresses! Don't do it! You will draw attention and not in a good way, you know military wives can be catty so the rest of us looked at the ones in prom dresses and thought "oh my gosh, she thought she was going to the prom!" I suggest an elegant cocktail dress, every one wears black or white so pick a color and stand out! When I went all eyes were on me because I had a bright color on every one else wore colors that blended in! Don't wear colors like neon green orange or anything with neon in it! Have fun and remember this is where you get to look like a princess and shine!

Answer 4

LOVE the peach one. I've been to a few Marine Corps Birthday Ball's as my dad was a Marine. and I mostly saw long dresses, but the black on is fine its not too short. the only thing i suggest is ask your husbands opinion. My dad was very disgraced when my older sister wore a semi short slightly revealing dress. it was not overly distasteful but(especially him being a higher rank and wanted to set an example and lead the way) he would have preferred something different. so make sure he doesnt feel you're dress is too revealing or over the top or anything. but the peach one is absoluetly gorgeous.


also red looks wonderful in pictures with the flags and ur husbands uniform...wore a red dress myself one year

Answer 5

I've been to the Navy Birthday Ball and the Submarine Birthday Ball in a couple of places. While some of the dress does vary a bit regionally, either one of those dresses would fit in anywhere. If you're really concerned about standing out you could google the event for last year to find pics for some ideas. But mostly between those two dresses it should come down to which one will be more you.

Answer 6

As a female AFROTC cadet and was forced to go to the Air Force Ball , I saw many of my fellow cadet's dates just wear a long formal dress and it doesn't have to be white, just fine a simple yet formal evening gown will do, but you would probably want to wear a dress like the peach one also that one is very elegant yet pretty.

Answer 7

The ball for me is my Prom. Oh and don't wear white, you'll look like you're wearing a wedding dress, unless it's a simple white dress. Last year I had a super formal Cinderella type dress, up-do, and tiara. I felt and looked like a princess. Also, don't wear a short dress. Go all OUT! It might be for the Marines B-day, but it's our night to shine and get pampered to look good for our Marines. They like to show off their wives too, you know! lol I love getting dolled up, it's only once a year, so don't hold back.

Answer 8

OK, first of all, you will be in a room full of Marines in Dress Blues, so don't worry about being too dressy. Think of it as a prom for Jarheads. Personally, I like the black. I suggest you google images of "Marine Corps birthday ball" and get some ideas as to the tone of the evening. You will have a great time. Enjoy and tell your Gyrene "Semper Fi"

(edit) BTW, it's not just a military ball, it is the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Tell him I said Happy Birthday also!

Answer 9

I love the peach one...My husband has been in the Army 14 years so far and I have been to many balls and I always wear long formal gowns.

Answer 10

You can wear long. short.. midlength. If you will be one that likes to do alot of dancing i would go with the black one..its still formal and nice but you could move easily in it. When i look for a ball dress i dont go for just one color just something that will not totally clash with my husbands outfit. Hope you have fun. Our ball is in 2 weeks and im excited myself :)