5 Tips for Picking Out a Dynamite Military Ball Gown

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. 2. Show off your shoes If yo u ask me, it’s pretty criminal that Cinderella didn’t take the opportunity to let those adorable glass slippers be seen before she lost the darn things. Luckily for us, ankles are not as risque as they were a hundred years ago (or in a parallel fairytale universe). There are tons of beautiful gowns on the market right now with hemlines that come up a few inches in the front to make your shoes the focal point of your look…and, yes, they’re still as formal as a traditional floor-length gown. Try seeking out a different hemline for your military ball gown , for a look that’s simultaneously super-classy and beautifully subtle. 3. Dress for your body type Okay, okay, so you can hardly open a magazine without some mention of “dressing for your body type,” but it’s sound advice, especially when you’re trying to turn some heads for the right reasons! Let’s be honest: Most people would look like a mess in a meringue shaped gown, because most people are not nymph-like cartoons (sorry, Cinderella). So before you commit to a military ball gown -- especially if you’re buying/renting it online -- read up on the styles that’ll be most likely to flatter your frame. It’ll narrow down your choices a wee bit, and you’ll ultimately end up with a military ball gown that you’ll feel perfectly comfortable in. 4. Be subtle, but never invisible We all naturally gravitate towards certain colors and styles; personally, I sink right into the black hole every time. Black is easy, classic, and everyone can wear it, so why not?! That said, if you’re comfortable in a tried-and-tested favorite tone, then make sure it’s interesting in other ways. Find an interesting cut, something with a bit of sparkle, some pretty lace, or mix it up with panels of another color. Also, if you’re just not into bold colors, there are tons of less common -- but equally beautiful -- subtle shades out there: Greys, deep jewel tones, navy, and taupe are great examples of colors that won’t make you feel like a peacock, but will look absolutely flawless at the military ball. 5. Color yourself beautiful Having said all of the above, there is a major something to be said for stepping outside of your comfort zone and going for a colorful number. Picking an unusual color that you wouldn’t normally choose is guaranteed to induce double-takes and avalanches of compliments; the right color makes you look fresh, unexpected, and the most radiant version of you at the next military ball. Rosamund Pike’s yellow Oscar gown was a bold move for a fair-skinned woman, but it left us awe-stricken; Emma Stone threw out the redhead rulebook and rocked a deep fuschia hue . And let’s not forget Lupita Nyong’o and her stunning, Cinderella-blue dress , proving that a “bold” color doesn’t always mean bright. If you’re buying or renting online, find a close shade in your closet (or a friend’s!) that will give you an idea of how it’ll flatter your skin tone. So what will you wear to the military ball? Follow our Pinterest Military Ball Board . Connect with us on Facebook! [related_post themes="flat”] photo

5 Tips for Picking Out a Dynamite Military Ball Gown

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