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Original poster

Purple ball

49 replies

vintageteacups · 08/06/2011 23:22

Okay - can anyone who has already been to the Purple Ball, tell me what their dress was like?

I'm worried that my dress (whichever one fits me I choose) will be too ball gown-like and I'll stick out a bit too much. will try and find picture of similar style dress.

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Original poster
vintageteacups · 08/06/2011 23:27

Guess it's kind of like this only tonal mauve and not sp;it at front and no embellishments.

dress

If I can't get into it and do it up by July, then it'll be a similar style but in a dark midnight blue.

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Original poster
vintageteacups · 08/06/2011 23:29

and kind of like this but not as oput-y

After seeing what Samcam wore to the Tory ball this I am worried I'll look over dressed Wink

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Original poster
vintageteacups · 08/06/2011 23:29

that should have read out-y

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TalcAndTurnips · 08/06/2011 23:31

Hi vintage - it was like any other ball; there were dresses of every shape, size and colour (however, as you would expect, virtually all full-length)

The chaps, however, were a sight to behold - there's some wacky mess undress out there!!

Great evening - superb food (and loads of it), good fairground, lots of different rooms/venues (disco/casino etc.) I hope you have a wonderful time.

Original poster
vintageteacups · 08/06/2011 23:35

Oh, is ti mess dress? I saw some pics from a previous year and the guys were wearing DJs?

My shape dictates that I wear full length and a-line, which I love but i just don't want to look overly prom-like.

The theme this year is around the world in 80 days so they're creating themed food rooms 'streets' for the different countries or something.

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TalcAndTurnips · 08/06/2011 23:36

Just read your other posts - your dress sounds perfect. Don't worry about SamCam - you can't expect civvies to dress up properly for a ball! ( Grin only joking)

It was a few years ago now - I have no idea what I wore. And no, I wasn't that pissed...

TalcAndTurnips · 08/06/2011 23:39

I definitely recall mess dress for the gents - purely for the fact that there were so many different regiments, nationalities etc. - so colourful!

Of course, it may have all changed in the interim!

Original poster
vintageteacups · 08/06/2011 23:43

Right - better get Dh to double check and make sure his trousers fit him - don't want another night of him not eating in case the button falls off!

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TalcAndTurnips · 08/06/2011 23:47

I'd be sad to hear that it was no longer mess dress - it really was a wonderful sight to behold. Some rigs had check trousers, like Rupert Bear, but fitted - breeches style. Emerald green jackets; red, royal blue - you name it. Ooh - and spurs!

Original poster
vintageteacups · 09/06/2011 00:01

Ooh - well I hope it's still Mess dress - lots of lovely thighs and all that Wink

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TalcAndTurnips · 09/06/2011 00:06

Oh yeeeeeeeeeeeesssss.

Any old Tom, Dick or Harry can wear a DJ - what could be nicer than a well-made gent in a short jacket (with all the varieties of rank bling on it) and nice bottoms in close fitting trolleys...

Time for bed, I think Wink

madwomanintheattic · 09/06/2011 04:32

mine was full length dark purple straight with a bit of a fishtail with a fuschia net under. and by the end of the evening it had a lovely chocolate stain right on the front from spending waaaaay too long conversing at the chocolate fountain whilst waving strawberries around and champagne

mostly it was full on ball gowns tbh.

oh, apart from the entertainment... semi clad angle grinder dancers. sparks everywhere...

TalcAndTurnips · 09/06/2011 08:04

I have just dug out our ball phot from that night (DH definitely wearing mess dress!) - my dress was full length, dark blood-red heavy matte satin, fitted but slightly flaring at the bottom. Rest assured vintage - you will not be overdressed. From this year's prom gowns in the shops, it looks as if there has been a return to the trad big ball-gown style this year, anyway.

I recall there being a really good firework display; also some sort of fly-past earlier on when it was still light. Great evening - hope you have a blast!

Original poster
vintageteacups · 09/06/2011 09:13

Thank you - think we've got the Red Arrows and hot air balloon rides and an abba tribute band and other bands I think.

A fridn emialed me today saying it was defo DJs :(

Okay - sounds like I won't be overdressed......may have a few more bids of a lovely ebay one then Wink

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Original poster
vintageteacups · 09/06/2011 10:46

Aha! [[http://www.promroyalty.com/purple-p1064-purple-prom-dress-p-68.html this is probably most like it without the sparkly bits and less full.

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Original poster
vintageteacups · 09/06/2011 10:46

Aha! this is probably most like it without the sparkly bits and less full.

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madwomanintheattic · 09/06/2011 15:05

i went to 'the ballroom' in oxford to get some ideas and ended up ordering one from there - it used to be really very good, but haven't been for a few years. make an appointment though - it does get very busy at this time of year!

TalcAndTurnips · 09/06/2011 15:53

I asked DH about the mess dress issue - he reckons that the ball committee have probably taken a vote and DJs have won this year. He recalls that quite a few of the army chaps (and particularly the army, for some unknown reason) on course loathed wearing their mess dress, finding it very uncomfortable.

What about the poor ladies - hoping to spend the evening ogling some nice muscly thighs and bums? (Blimey - if I was a bloke saying that about ogling women, I'd be roundly chastised. Sorry Grin )

Original poster
vintageteacups · 09/06/2011 16:00

I do agree though Turnips (about the bums and thighs)!

Madwoman - unfortunately, DH is unaccompanied ut I've found a lovely shop in stamford to have a browse around next week - unless my latest ebay bargain arrives and fits perfectly and looks good.

It's weird, at all do's I think I've ever been to, I either feel underdressed or overdressed but never just plain fine.

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madwomanintheattic · 09/06/2011 16:09

talc - not usually - i bet it was the raf that vetoed mess kit. they always look so dull in comparison. Wink

Original poster
vintageteacups · 09/06/2011 17:14

Well - DH just called from the states and said that he thought it was Mess Dress for all serving personnel. He's going to double check though. A friend said yesterday that she thought it was definitely DJs. Who knows!!

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notyummy · 09/06/2011 23:04

I'm going! See you there .

Have a new frock - just need to remember not to drink my own body weight by 10pm and have to be escorted to bed early...Wink

MrsSnaplegs · 10/06/2011 07:01

Vintage please say hello to my friend if you see her there your DH will know who Grin

Original poster
vintageteacups · 10/06/2011 11:57

notyummy - I couldn't remember your nickname the other day as I was going to message and ask if you were going.

So what's your frock like then?

I'm the same about the alochol - I currently drink half a glass of white wine once every two weeks so I'm an ultra lightweight. I coudl be asleep by 9pm.

Mrssnaplegs - I'll say hello to your friend if she's there.

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notyummy · 10/06/2011 13:10

I am wearing this. Looking forward to it!

DH in states too - has been dithering about buying an ipad whilst there....