What to Wear to a Military Ball
Travis AFB 75th Anniversary & Air Force Ball
This event had a 1940’s theme, and was so much fun!
One of the most searched for “what to wear to…” military events is a ball. And I get it- if you’ve never attended one, or seen pictures of one, it can feel really intimidating. But let me set your mind at ease…a military ball is one of the easiest military events to dress for. This is because they clearly and consistently fall under the category of “formal”.
Military members wear their most dressy or formal uniforms to balls, which can vary depending on if the member is an officer or enlisted. (Officers are required to wear “mess dress” while enlisted members can wear the same, or service dress.) Civilian attendees are expected to wear long gowns, formal pant suits, or tuxedos. In other words, military balls are the equivalent of a black tie event.
Sometimes balls will have a theme, like the one my husband and I attended in the picture above. Unless specifically denoted, you’ll still want to wear formal attire that fits into that theme. If you’re feeling unsure about what’s appropriate, ask around. Friends or neighbors from your base are always a good resource, as are command and senior enlisted spouses.
When it comes to shopping for formal wear, it can be a challenge- and some years it’s more difficult than others. If you live somewhere that isn’t convenient for in-person shopping, or you simply prefer to shop online, I highly recommend ordering from someplace like Nordstrom, which offers free shipping and free returns. This makes it feel less scary to order multiple options in several sizes and colors, which I also recommend doing. (Nordstrom has such a generous return policy that as long as tags are still on and there’s no damage to the item, you can basically return it anytime. I recently tested the limits on this when I returned over $400 worth of clothes and shoes over 6 months after purchasing them!)
Don’t forget shoes and accessories! You’ll likely be on your feet most of the night. Even if you don’t get on the dance floor and bust a move, chances are there won’t be many places to sit (at least in my experience), and you don’t want to be miserable and awkwardly carrying your shoes around most of the evening- or dealing with blisters.
I’ve known some spouses to get their hair, makeup, nails, and spray tans professionally done before events like these. If you want to do that and have the budget for it, that’s great! However, if that feels beyond your reach financially, or it just doesn’t work with your schedule leading up to the event, don’t stress. More people than not will have done their own pedicures and hair dos, and probably used Jergens tanning lotion for the week leading up to the ball. Ultimately, this is about having a wonderful time and experiencing something most people only dream about.
I think it’s wise to carry a small clutch purse, when possible. (Bonus points if it has a shoulder strap for those situations where you’re a a high-top table and have no good place to set it, DOUBLE bonus points if your dress has pockets. We all know that’s the holy grail of dresses!) Take your ID (always!), some cash (there are often cash bars, and mess dress doesn’t leave much room for men to carry a wallet), your phone, lipstick, and a few emergency supplies like a band-aid and safety pin. You could end up being someone’s hero with those last two items!
So from a style standpoint, how do you find the “perfect” dress? Here are my top 3 tips:
Find a dress in one of your best colors: if you haven’t had your colors done, try finding one in a color that you consistently get complimented in (or book a color analysis with me 😉)
Select a flattering style: find a dress that highlights what you love, and doesn’t draw attention to what you don’t. Special events are the time to spend some extra time looking for your “bests”! (Not sure what your best styles are? Book a virtual style session with me.)
Make sure you’re comfortable! You’ll want to enjoy the evening- not be tugging and pulling and feeling self-conscious all night. Practice sitting, standing, and maybe even do a little jig in the dressing room to make sure you’ll feel great in the dress you choose.
Men who are attending as civilians have it a little easier. They can wear a tuxedo or dark suit with a bowtie or tie. A great way to add some personality to these looks is with a pocket square! (Make sure your pocket square coordinates with your tie, but isn’t the exact same color or pattern. This will create a more elevated look.) Shoes should be in good condition, shined if necessary/possible, and socks should match the pants. (Not sure how to find a properly fitted suit? I can help!)
Something to know about military balls: they’re not free to attend. In addition to buying your formal wear, shoes, and accessories, you and your service member will have to purchase tickets. Like most military events, the prices are graduated based on rank, but they can still be a financial strain. Add in a babysitter and some pizza for the kids, and the evening can run into the hundreds of dollars. While these can be really fun events, if it cuts into your house payment or grocery budget, it might not be worth it to you and your spouse. And that is totally ok! Know that it’s completely okay to reuse your outfits for formal and other events. You can also find someone to do a dress swap with, or put an entire event together at your base. Another way to be a hero!
If you have a formal event coming up, whether it’s a military ball or dining out, and you want guidance on finding the perfect dress or suit, I can help. Book a free consultation call and let’s talk!
