It’s that time of year again! No, I’m not talking about Starbucks bevvies and orange colored leaves. This is TTOYA, military spouse-style: Your news feed is going to be flooded with articles telling you that “it’s that time of year again!” before repeating the list of military ball gown regs for military balls.
Well, considering the amount of people who seemed to miss the memo at the Birthday Ball I attended last year, this is for good reason. But while it’s good to know that we ought to steer clear of anything short, anything prom, and anything “BOOBS” …there doesn’t seem to be much info out there to answer that one, age-old question of the military spouse: How do I manage to look absolutely ballin’ at this year’s ball?
Get ideas from our Pinterest Military Ball Board.
The good news is, you don’t need a fairy godmother to get you on your marks, set, and go for an on-point look this year. Rejoice, ladies, for here is all the inspiration you’ll need to feel like a princess this year, without compromising your dress code, your dignity, or your pennies.
1. Upcycle an old gown
If you’ve got a simple, classic military ball gown at the back of your closet that you’ve worn several times already, then you’re faced with a sartorial quandary: On the one hand, you know it looks perfect on you, and on the other, it’s kinda-sorta lost its magic. But it matters not! Just say the magic word: Upcycling. Depending on what you want to do — and your level of DIY mastery — you can either make alterations at home, employ a friend, or take it to a tailor for a fraction of the cost of a new dress. Plus, this way you can make your dress exactly how you want it to be.
