Deb Ball dress question

[Cardinal026]

*BUMP*

My boyfriend and I will be attending a Debutante Ball the day after Thanksgiving - his best friend's new girl is a post-Deb, and invited us. I've tried e-mailing her with questions, and haven't heard back yet, so thought I'd try GC!

My boyfriend said its White Tie. Google searches tells me to wear a floor length gown and gloves. Should the gloves be to the elbow? Above? I'm assuming that since I'm not a deb, wearing white is out of the question. What about other colors? If I were to wear a black gown, could I wear black gloves? Or should they be white?

Also, do you suppose most women will have their hair done, elegant jewelry, etc? I want to fit in, and I definitely don't want to overdo it/spend more money than I need to, but for some reason I keep envisioning a high school prom!

Oh, and its in DC if that helps.

Thanks in advance!!!

[OhSoVeryLadylike]

^^^
Long gloves, up-do, elegant but understated jewelry, NO WHITE...black is appropriate.

Have a ball

[Benzgirl]

jeeeeeeeeez. All this formal talk and I want to crawl into my jeans.

All of my cousins and I were asked to be debs and we all declined. It just lost popularity by the time we came of age. There still are two of them held in my city, but very few girls come out any more.

[sageofages]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

All of my cousins and I were asked to be debs and we all declined. It just lost popularity by the time we came of age. There still are two of them held in my city, but very few girls come out any more.

In light of the recently passed "National Coming Out Day"....the phrase "come out" just brought different images in my mind...

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by sageofages

In light of the recently passed "National Coming Out Day"....the phrase "come out" just brought different images in my mind...

he he he he

I remember how the announcements would read: "Miss Tiffany Holcomb Whitney VanMarkunshtein" escorted by Prince Wolfgang Diefendorf Matterhorn, was presented to society at the 150th Annual Armory Ball last Saturday. During her Coming Out, she wore a floor-length gown in a rainbow of colors... (a little artistic license is allowed)

Well, when I look at old year books from my father's college days, I see terminology that would be taken differently today too. Isn't it fun! I now look at the Gay 90s with a completely different perspective

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by Cardinal026

My boyfriend said its White Tie. Google searches tells me to wear a floor length gown and gloves. Should the gloves be to the elbow? Above? I'm assuming that since I'm not a deb, wearing white is out of the question. What about other colors? If I were to wear a black gown, could I wear black gloves? Or should they be white?

Since some of these questions weren't answered, I thought I'd offer my opinion. (I was unfortunately a deb. Pretty irritating experience through and through, but when your mom insists, sometimes it's just easier to go along with the charade than put up a fight.)

Yes, the gloves should be to the elbow. If you're wearing black, your gloves can (and some would argue that they should) be black. Definitely don't wear a white dress; I'd go so far as to recommend not wearing a pastel or light-colored dress. If your dress is any color other than black, white gloves are appropriate.

[Cardinal026]

Thanks SydneyK! You were a huge help

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by Cardinal026

Thanks SydneyK! You were a huge help

You're welcome.

I feel the need to add this disclaimer. All deb circles follow similar guidelines. However, there are often small differences between what one circle finds acceptable and what another doesn't. You should probably ask your friend (the post-deb who invited you) whether these suggestions fit within that particular group's guidelines. What might seem like a small difference could be more important than it should be (like, this group might think everyone's gloves should be above the elbow; in my deb circle, only the debs coming out wore gloves above the elbow). Of course, it will ultimately matter only if you plan to continue to socialize with this group. If you won't see any of them again, who cares if Betsy Sue thinks your gloves were, gasp , two inches too short?

Have fun! Be sure to tell us about it!