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Original poster

Help on dress-code for Navy ball

66 replies

EthelredOnAGoodDay · 21/06/2011 17:28

Hello. DH and I, who are civvies (I think that's the correct term Wink) are going along as guests of a friend of ours who is an officer in the RN, to the BRNC ball at Dartmouth in the summer. Just a quick question re: the dress code. For ladies, is it long dresses and covered shoulders? Does that just mean a pashmina, or actual sleeves?? are there any other rules i need to be aware of? Thanks in anticipation and sorry to be so clueless!! :o

OP posts:
jcscot · 23/06/2011 19:09

Both reasons, really. We're in Scotland and he's in London - he takes a three day weekend every other weekend and works the weekend he's not home. It works quite well for us, which was a bit of a surprise as I thought he'd get sucked into the long hours culture at his current place. He only has a few months to go.

We were gobsmacked at his promotion. He got his first look at the Pink List this year but didn't make the main board despite scoring well because there were no vacancies in his year of birth. Due to unforseen circumstances, he's been picked to command on operations, which had us both absolutely surprised. He puts up the rank from August when he starts PDT. He commissioned in 1999 and he's only 37 so this was truly unexpected! The champagne is on ice for his next weekend home!

SoloIsAHotCougar · 23/06/2011 23:24

Well done to your Dh jcscot :) how lovely! nice to hear of something good happening within someone's employment these days.

Ethel, look forward to saying hello It'll be a great night. My friend has never been to a posh do at all ever so is really excited too!

Original poster
EthelredOnAGoodDay · 30/06/2011 12:47

Solo, is it Friday 5th or you are going to? Still not sorted blimmin dress!! Xxx

OP posts:
SoloAgainItSeems · 30/06/2011 12:55

No! it's Saturday the 6th! are you on Friday then?! if so, completely different!!!

Original poster
EthelredOnAGoodDay · 01/07/2011 23:19

Aah yes!? Defo Friday 5th! How odd! Grin

OP posts:
SoloAgainItSeems · 02/07/2011 01:00

Hehehe! that means that you are with 'the other lot' Grin
Have a look HERE for an idea of what 'you lot' should wear Wink Enjoy it, it's a great experience (well, ours is! Grin)

SoloAgainItSeems · 02/07/2011 01:05

And don't think that you are 'going too much over the top' because you can't really and just in case this is the only time you go, make the most of it :) (however, don't go toooo meringue, because it get quite hot and women will bitch talk.

Original poster
EthelredOnAGoodDay · 03/07/2011 17:27

Solo, who are the two different 'lots'??!! This is all new to me! Anyway, went on eBay last night and have bought myself a 1960's evening dress. Hoping it will be good when it gets here!!!

OP posts:
SoloAgainItSeems · 04/07/2011 01:32

:) I don't know Ethel, but I was told that there are two different groups and they don't mix; whether it's the same two as yours and mine or not, I haven't a clue.
Glad you've got yourself a frock :) be lovely to see a picture of it I must start thinking about what I'm going to wear.

scaryteacher · 05/07/2011 09:52

I went to my db's passing out ball at BRNC, and was very pissed off when he gave me the dress code as I had been married to an RN officer much senior to him for a fair while; and also, being an RN Officer's daughter and having been to balls whilst db was still doing his O levels, I knew what the bloody dress code was.

I took great delight in pointing out to db a girl in an vivid orange mini with ripped fishnets, who wasn't thrown out for inappropriate dress as he had threatened me if I didn't turn up in a ball dress.

Congrats to your dh jcscot - that's brilliant.

TalcAndTurnips · 05/07/2011 14:51

scary hello! I haven't seen you on here much recently - hope you've been having fun somewhere?

I always enjoyed the BRNC balls - there were on a pretty lavish scale, with so many things to do and places to wander in and out of. I don't recall too many dress code faux pas; just the odd lass here and there looking very self-conscious in a shorter frock - probably the result of a newly passed-out young officer not informing his guest of the expected attire.

I hired a few gowns in those early days (money was tight!) - soon stopped that when I worked out that it really didn't save you that much; the dresses were gorgeous, though. You didn't have the hassle of taking them to the dry-cleaners afterwards either.
I have a few combat-proven dresses at the moment - they've all done the rounds several times and it's definitely time for a new one. Or two.

scaryteacher · 05/07/2011 16:46

Been marking GCSEs, so MNing has been off the radar for about 6 weeks.

TalcAndTurnips · 05/07/2011 17:03

I understand! I suppose it would be not the done thing to regale us with any hilarious bits you have come across whilst marking? (Like those little books in Waterstones always convince us that are contained within all exam papers - but are probably written by wits, not bored 16-year-olds?)

scaryteacher · 05/07/2011 18:06

No, it wouldn't be the done thing, and we have been warned by the chief examiner and it is in our contract that marking is confidential.

TalcAndTurnips · 05/07/2011 18:29

Ha! I suspected as much...

I'll just have to amuse myself here instead

Solo · 17/08/2011 15:13

How was it EthelredOnAGoodDay? :)Did you enjoy yourselves?

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