runamuk Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 It's Ball season for the Marine Corps and it's time to put on our formal gowns and have a good time. Except that the gown I've been wearing for the past 5 years no longer fits. Making my search harder is that I'm a plus-size and on a budget. I've checked consignment shops and discount stores without any luck. I'm finding a large number of holiday/prom-style dresses in shorter lengths in my budget, but am concerned that they won't be formal enough. Most of the plus-sized formal dresses are more like Mother of the Bride dresses that I just don't care for. I've found some full length gowns in my size, but they are pricey. I have a little money put away for a dress, but prefer not to spend my entire Ball budget on a dress. My question is this: is a formal gown a full length dress or can a knee length gown be considered formal? So, what says the hive (and the other Marine Corps spouses)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikeBookBread Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 (edited) Which uni is DH wearing? I see you are in VA, you should take regional tastes into consideration as well. Your area is probably going to be a lot more formal that where I am. I'm an AF spouse, and the "Air Force Wife Handbook" states for formal balls, "...long formal gowns are always in style for formal balls. At present, short formals, tea-length gowns, and evening pants with beaded tops are also acceptable." This version is copyrighted 1992, so if anything, it's got to be more relaxed now. I think the point to wear the dressiest thin gyou can: be "sparkly" and look your very best -- dress in a way that no one would think you were just going out to dinner at a very nice restaurant. Have fun!!! Edited November 4, 2009 by BikeBookBread regional comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'm an Army spouse but it is rare to see a knee-length or above the knee dress at a ball. However, slightly below the knee is fairly common, it doesn't have to go to the floor but you want something dressier than a cocktail dress. Have you checked Sears? They often have decent, inexpensive dresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrscopterdoc Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I'm an Army spouse but it is rare to see a knee-length or above the knee dress at a ball. However, slightly below the knee is fairly common, it doesn't have to go to the floor but you want something dressier than a cocktail dress. Have you checked Sears? They often have decent, inexpensive dresses. I agree, and JC Penny is good also. Technically, anything after 6 PM should be floor length, but as long as it is not a mini dress and is 'formal' I say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 At all our formals (AF) the dresses ranged in everything from prom dress (either worn by the wearer or maybe a sister the prom season before) to tea lenght dresses to true long formals. Last one I went to I wore tux type outfit. Tux like pants with a fancy top that had satin cuffs and collar. The age range is so wide at things like that (18yo to grandma's) that I think you can wear just about anything nice and fancy it up with a shawl, sparkly shoes/purse or whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runamuk Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 Which uni is DH wearing? I see you are in VA, you should take regional tastes into consideration as well. Your area is probably going to be a lot more formal that where I am. I'm an AF spouse, and the "Air Force Wife Handbook" states for formal balls, "...long formal gowns are always in style for formal balls. At present, short formals, tea-length gowns, and evening pants with beaded tops are also acceptable." This version is copyrighted 1992, so if anything, it's got to be more relaxed now. I think the point to wear the dressiest thin gyou can: be "sparkly" and look your very best -- dress in a way that no one would think you were just going out to dinner at a very nice restaurant. Have fun!!! My husband is wearing his Dress Blues, which is their formal uniform. The dresses I saw at the Ball last year were all very formal, although there were a few young ladies dresses as if they were going clubbing. I did find a few shorter dresses that I was considering but didn't pass the "other than a nice dinner test" (I like that phrasing :)). I'm an Army spouse but it is rare to see a knee-length or above the knee dress at a ball. However, slightly below the knee is fairly common, it doesn't have to go to the floor but you want something dressier than a cocktail dress. Have you checked Sears? They often have decent, inexpensive dresses. Thanks for the tip about Sears - I'll check them out this evening! I agree, and JC Penny is good also. Technically, anything after 6 PM should be floor length, but as long as it is not a mini dress and is 'formal' I say go for it. I agree with you that long gowns should be worn after six pm. My problem is finding a plus-sized floor length gown that's not too expensive. I checked Penny's but they don't have any longer dresses for bigger sizes this year. :glare: At all our formals (AF) the dresses ranged in everything from prom dress (either worn by the wearer or maybe a sister the prom season before) to tea lenght dresses to true long formals. Last one I went to I wore tux type outfit. Tux like pants with a fancy top that had satin cuffs and collar. The age range is so wide at things like that (18yo to grandma's) that I think you can wear just about anything nice and fancy it up with a shawl, sparkly shoes/purse or whatever. We see a large range of dresses at Marine Corps Balls, too. I've been looking at shorter dresses because many of the longer ones I've found are either body-hugging (which I don't consider formal or feel comfortable in) or prom-style (I'm 41 and look and feel a bit ridiculous in a ton of fluffly pink satin and chiffon, lol). I've been considering a long skirt or pants with a fancy top, but didn't know if that would be formal enough. Thank you for your opinions! I've got a few more options to consider and a few more places to look. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikeBookBread Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 A look I love (I'm 41 -- I wouldn't feel it was age-appropriate to wear a prom style either) is a long satin skirt in a dark color - dark blue, black, etc. with a fancy top. I think it is so much classier. Talbot's usually has these (pricey) but I bet you could find one on Craig's List or a consignment shop being so close to DC... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Is there anyone you could borrow a dress from? I've done that before and I've also gotten a formal dress from a thrift store when I was pregnant. JC Penney is also a good bet and I second that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I'll second the skirt and top idea. A black velvet skit or maybe something more flowing. Paired with a sparkly top. The nicest thing about this is you can get just one different piece next time and look very different. Is there a Talbot's outlet near you? I had good luck there when we were in DC. I've also gotten good items at JC Penny's and Dillards and even off the sale rack at Macy's and Nordstrom. Make sure that you ask if they have a women's section, which will have dresses cut very differently, even if they are marked as being the same size. My answer on length would depend a lot on what command the ball is for and dh's rank. If you will be in the spotlight, then I'd put more effort into looking formal and sharp (which might mean a shorter dress that seemed more elegant rather than a long dress that didn't flatter you or seem special). If you are just one of many, then I'd remember that these events always have a huge range of dresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 What everyone else said and try 'Nordstrom's Rack' if you are in the DC area -- Bon Fete! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 By definition, "formal" is floor length. Many people try to make shorter dresses be formal, but no, they're not--pretty, but not formal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cammie Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I second the long skirt with sparkly top idea. I had to go to an Inaugural Ball last year. I wore a long silk skirt (not clingly it has some "structure" to it) and a sparkly top. I felt dressy but also classy. It is a good look for us more mature women!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaterbabs Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Chadwicks of Boston has nice formalwear, and their prices are very reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTwinsMom1 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Also check out onestopplus . com I was able to find a nice dress to wear to a gala dinner I am going to in april for a very good price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 You might also check around for a rental dress. Many tux shops and some gown places are doing this now, especially in areas that see a lot of formal events, such as D.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 The rule-of-thumb I always heard during my 5 years as an Army wife is that it depends on which set of dress blues your DH is wearing. If they're the regular ones, the wife can wear a short cocktail dress. If they're the super-formal Mess ones that look like a tail coat, the wife has to wear a floor-length gown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Nexteve.com is the best option for having all kind of formal, stylish and fashion dresses at very reasonable price. Nexteve is launching its new collection for Prom 2010.. ______________ Prom Dresses 2011 People, this is an old thread and this person just bumped it to spam us. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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