Air Force Brides...

honerlmc

Has anyone been to a UPT graduation and then the dinner? I am trying to figure out what is appropriate to wear and my fiance doesn't really know! Any help is appreciated!

divinemsbee

I'm an Air Force Bride and a total newb at all things military, so I'm not sure if it's even remotely similar dess-wise, but check out the "Balls" post, I am attending my first Air Force Ball, and there were lots of  super helpful dress suggestions for military occasions in it.

calindi

It depends on the level of dress he's expected to be in.  If it's his most formal dress uniform, then you should wear a long gown (not a prom dress, something simple and elegant and tasteful).  If it's service dress, then a cocktail dress would be appropriate.  Always use their formality of dress to indicate yours.  The goal as a spouse is to look sophisticated rather than trashy at all times, so it's not the place to make a fashion statement.

firsttimersluck

Just asked my fi, so that's like primary or advanced graduation?  He said more like cocktail attire. Slightly dressy, but not an evening gown.
Something about knee length that can be worn as day to night attire would be appropriate like...

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=5&pageId=1&productId=570016041&viewAll=&prd=OneShoulder+Peplum+Dress&subCatId=cat90006&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=2&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts+EveningOccasion&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=577026&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DDay to Night%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D385

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=574298&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DDay to Night%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D385

firsttimersluck

(ps, I'm just saying what my fi said, as he went through upt with the airforce.. I've seen pics of people at his winging and they were all in about knee/tea length attire. I wasn't there, or I would be more definitive.. sorry!)

[Deleted User]

I've been. Get a classy cocktail dress. Like most military events you will see alot of dresses across the spectrum of formality, but this is not a "ball" so avoid a gown. It also usually has a younger crowd of attendees (since most of the grads are around their 2 year mark in the Air Force) so most of the girls are still comfortable wearing fun knee length type dresses. Not sure if that is helpful or not... Please let me know if you need more information.

shan87

I was there last year.. this is what I wore


I can't seem to find the "wives" pic. (I use quotes because I wasn't a wife yet but was in the picture) I do remember a couple floor length dresses. Note ours was in Oklahoma in December.

As for the graduation itself I would also wear a cocktail dress. I wore pants and nice top and felt underdressed.

PS. note that you will be meeting the Base Commander and other very important people (they do a receiving line before dinner). Get ready to wear a big smile and rub elbows with the "big dogs." P.S make sure your FI lets you know their names before (I just defaulted to Sir and M'mam)  Vance AFB Wing Commander and his wife were very nice and down to earth, she asked about wedding planning etc.


GL! PM with any other questions

shan87

I put another picture with more light, this was before I lost 30lbs but it was a V-Neck and ruffles on the top. I was the only wife with straps on my dress FWIW.

zimgsgirl26

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_air-force-brides?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:c2a82b63-8bee-42b1-94ba-46e9f9df387ePost:54599666-f170-4b9b-8b41-328adecae8c0">Re: Air Force Brides...</a>:
[QUOTE]Just asked my fi, so that's like primary or advanced graduation?  He said more like cocktail attire. Slightly dressy, but not an evening gown. Something about knee length that can be worn as day to night attire would be appropriate like... <a href="http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=5&pageId=1&productId=570016041&viewAll=&prd=OneShoulder+Peplum+Dress&subCatId=cat90006&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=2&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts+EveningOccasion&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=" rel='nofollow'>http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=5&pageId=1&productId=570016041&viewAll=&prd=OneShoulder+Peplum+Dress&subCatId=cat90006&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=2&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts+EveningOccasion&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=</a> <a href="http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=577026&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DDay" rel='nofollow'>http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=577026&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DDay</a> to Night%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D385 <a href="http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=574298&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DDay" rel='nofollow'>http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=574298&CategoryID=5449&LinkType=#fn=SPECIAL_OCCASIONS%3DDay</a> to Night%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D385
Posted by firsttimersluck[/QUOTE]<div>You have such good taste! Those are all cute...I so do not need to be buying more clothes lol

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firsttimersluck

aw thanks
Me neither.. and I really want that red one O.o hahaha

LOLways

I'd always lean towards overdressing, just in case.

holthcm

Hello...

I definitely don't think you should wear a ball gown!! I have been with my FI for six years now, but we were not dating when he went through his UPT graduation. However, I have seen pictures from that day. He was wearing his dress uniform or Blues. I recently attended the Airforce Ball and it is a ton more formal than the graduation. As I remember from the pictures, the people who were attending were wearing dressy attire, but it seemed more like they were in clothes similar to what guests would wear to a wedding. If I were you, I would just wear a dark colored, knee length cocktail dress. This way you are covered all around. 

My FI is currently in Portugal for the airforce, otherwise I would just ask him. I already got my one phone call for the day. Bummer!!

Good Luck!! 

honerlmc

Thanks for the help! I think I'm going to just try and find something in between. I have seen both! Good luck to everyone on their weddings!