USMC BALL!

nannaxxshark

Hey! Going to my first ball! It's my FH's first one too, so I need some help! Is a long dress necessary? If not, can you guys show me what type of short dress would be acceptable? I can't wear heels so I assumed a short dress would be out of the question. Any pictures or advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

firsttimersluck

I suggest you go long. It's a formal, evening event, so a formal gown would be appropriate. The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is a BIG deal if that's the one you're going to. You want to be formal.. Think gowns that are classy and simple.

USMCBride90

Every MC ball that I've been to with FI, I wore a floor length gown. Although I have seen a few tasteful shorter dresses, I still recommend something floor length.. It's a formal event and It just looks very classy next to the blues

JLAyen8861

I agree. I will be going to my 2nd one this year and will be doing long.  And this is just me now but I try to find a dress to go with his blues, as far as color goes.  Have a blast it will be fun 

LuluP82

Oh man, so the consensus is long is a must? I'm having such a hard time finding a maternity dress. I'm going to ask the other wives what they're wearing, but I'm so hoping someone is wearing short. Long gowns, especially flatterning maternity ones, are so expensive. And I don't have any other occasions to wear a formal gown to, so it seems like doubly a waste since it has to be maternity (trust me. I tried the empire waist thing it totally didn't work).

firsttimersluck

Lulu, davids bridal has some beautiful floor length gowns that would be great for maternity!!
The black dress I'm wearing in the above picture actually stretches REALLY WELL for a baby belly

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Long-Chiffon-Strapless-Dress-with-Beaded-Bodice-54602_Special-Occasions-Shop-By-Occasion-Formal-Long-Dresses

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Silky-Knit-Pleated-Dress-with-Beaded-Midruff-3670SK8N_Special-Occasions-Shop-By-Occasion-Formal-Long-Dresses

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Flattering-Maxi-Dress-in-Pleated-Silky-Knit-8410N329_Special-Occasions-Shop-By-Occasion-Formal-Long-Dresses

The "silky knit" is the best feeling material.. I could sleep in that dress.. lol

sofiabrian

Sorry no full pictures, but both dresses are floor length. I wouldn't stress about finding a dress that "coordinates with the Blues". Find something you are comfortable dancing and sitting in! The bottom picture, I found that dress at Nordstrom Rack for $50!! 

firsttimersluck

Sofia... I think you and I are the same Size. I wish you live in Seattle so I could come steal all your clothes. mmmmk. yup.

sofiabrian

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_usmc-ball?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:b50e8bb3-cd91-4389-810a-ea6fcd0ad472Post:08d2452d-ce6a-40d0-9827-f4d118aae163">Re: USMC BALL!</a>:
[QUOTE]Sofia... I think you and I are the same Size. I wish you live in Seattle so I could come steal all your clothes. mmmmk. yup.
Posted by firsttimersluck[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>If only!! The only clothes I still have in Seattle are old prom/pageant (don't judge!) dresses from H.S. 

</div>

iluvmytxrgr

lulu, at 36 weeks pg, I wore an empire waist dress that was a few sizes larger than I normally wore.  It worked out nicely and it was on sale for $60.  Try to find a regular dress. 
OP, long dresses are encouraged. 

kyrgyzstan

This year was my tenth MC Birthday event (multiples some years). Every actual ball rates a full length, simple (not flashy or poufy) dress.

SamiJoeB

My H is shorter than I am, I had my wedding shoes dyed black, so that I have a pair of formal flats for the Birthday Ball.  H and I have never actually been able to go to one together, but fingers crossed for next year!! I already have a plethora of dresses picked out!!

OP- I personally wouldn't dream of wearing a short dress to the MC Ball.  It's a ball after all.  Long, Simple, and Classy.  and probably not in flourescent pink.

divinemsbee

Yeah, I just went to my first ball- Air Force Birthday, and I'm going to agree that long just looks better. Simple long, not prom ball gown long. I really wish that I could have surreptitiously taken some "what not to wear" pics of a few girls at the ball I went to, the short poof-ball skirt thing with clear heels and the seamed stockings should perhaps have been re-thought.

firsttimersluck

OP consider the fact that a Dress uniform = tux. You wouldn't wear a shorter dress next to a guy in a tux very often... Go long. It's always the safest bet

vnj579

Absoulutly a long dress is a MUST. Trust me your FH's commanding officers his Senior NCO's and their wives will take notice if you are dressed inappropriatly. The ball is basically just a work event and proper dress is a must. 

That being said a long simple black dress is the perfect go to that can be reused time after time.

As far as not being able to afford a dress, most commands have a ball gown giveaway each year. Ask your Fiance to contact his Family Readiness Officer for information. Since you are engaged they will usually let you participate.

Good Luck?

nannaxxshark

Thanks y'all! Soooo, long dress it is it! Haha. I will post another post with pictures of possibities

LuluP82

THank you ladies for the maternity suggestions.

Now I just need time to go find a dress. Annoying because I have so many perfect ones and they won't fit.

I will say, I've attended many a benefit/ball in my day, all black tie. And I've worn short dresses to those often. Classy, formal short dresses, but still short (as in, not floor length, generally around knee length). However, I don't want to be that wife, so I'll go long this time.

sallysoccer952

hey everyone.... this is my first ball and ive been looking all over for a dress but im nervous that i wont find one or one that looks good and appropriate that is a reasonable price... im a college student so i cant afford a whole lot but im definitely willing to spend the money on it... do u think a brighter blue will go with the dbs? i really dont know what kind of look to go for other than classy and formal... any advice please? THANKS

vnj579

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_usmc-ball?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:b50e8bb3-cd91-4389-810a-ea6fcd0ad472Post:4511612c-0f3e-4a1f-be8a-838c4d5baf06">Re: USMC BALL!</a>:
[QUOTE]THank you ladies for the maternity suggestions. Now I just need time to go find a dress. Annoying because I have so many perfect ones and they won't fit. I will say, I've attended many a benefit/ball in my day, all black tie. And I've worn short dresses to those often. Classy, formal short dresses, but still short (as in, not floor length, generally around knee length). However, I don't want to be that wife, so I'll go long this time.
Posted by LuluP82[/QUOTE]

I understand your frustration with not being able to wear a short one. I have so many cute and conservative knee length dresses that like you I have worn to many a fancy party. However the USMC birthday ball is different. As marine wives we will be judged as a direct representation of our husbands. You will see short dresses but as I have overheard at balls the marines openly say things like "that's disrespectful" or (and I know this is crazy sexist but it is what they say to each other) "Can't he control his wife better? At a ball it's best to only be noticed for your warm personality and your support of your Marine. The feminist inside of me just shivered as I wrote this.