Army mess ball dress help needed!

[Nessica]

Hi Ladies,

I really hope you can help me, I said 'hello' earlier in the year and you were all lovely and supportive about my boyfriend being away.

I now need your help with something very important [wnk] I'm going to my first Mess Ball in a few weeks and need to find a dress!

I'm not too sure what I should be going for - my limited instructions have so far been (and I quote!) 'It's got to be long' and that's it!!! Let's just say he will never win any awards for being a fashionista!

So, is it any long style dress - how smart does it have to be? Are we talking silky ball gown or will a smart 'high street' long dress do?!?! I really have no idea where to start my online search without narrowing down a bit.

Please point me in the right direction and also add in any other top tips you can think of for the night as really don't want to go into it with my eyes closed...

Thanks!

Ness

I don't know Army rules as we're Navy, but our Mess Dress rules tend to mean long dresses ie ankle or floor length. No bare shoulders so no strapless dresses unless wearing a shrug or wrap, and not too much cleavage on show.

So for example this sort of thing would be OK but this really wouldn't!

I tend to wear something fairly classic (and I avoid black as everyone else wears black!) and if in doubt play it safe.

Have fun!

Hi Nessica - as long as you go for long, I wouldn't worry too much. I've seen dresses of every kind at balls (mostly RN, but some tri-service) over the years, from full-on ball/prom dresses to more like the sort of dress you'd find in Monsoon, or like the black one Sidge linked to.

I'd say one of the most important considerations is to choose a dress that is comfortable and doesn't need 'adjusting' every few minutes; make sure you can sit down and walk about quite comfortably in it. Very wide hems can often get trodden on, too. Best to have some sort of wrap - especially if there's a sit-down meal and you have shoulders on show.

Other things: comfortable shoes - oh, how I have regretted some choices I have made! You will almost certainly be on your feet for hours, and probably dancing. To be honest, not many will notice what you have on your feet, so go for comfort. Burning, aching feet can result in you wishing that the night is over sooner.

Watch the booze - sometimes it's quite free-flowing and I've seen many elegant ladies and gents looking a lot less than elegant later on. People will remember the one that hurled in her handbag, or fell in a bush, or tried to smooch the CO...

Hope you have a fabulous night!

Hi Nessica, we are Army and I've been to 3 xmas functions which have all been 'long'. It can be any style you feel comfortable so long straight is fine or a full skirt, it doesn't matter as long as you suit it and it doesn't show unsightly bulges (in my case), not too much cleavage. Usually you have a wrap/ shawl/ mini waistcoat to cover but it can be removed. If its a sit down and be served do then don't drink to much as you are not allowed to the toilet during the meal if its self service then you can if you need to. Its polite to be introduced to everyone on the table/ surrounding you and make polite conversation Pace your drinking as they often go on until 4-5am, breakfast is usually served at 2-3am! The worst I have seen is someones DGF in a heap on the floor vomiting and having to escort her on a minibus home That doesn't reflect well on the partner!

Have a great night!
Oh and wear pretty but comfortable foot wear as its a long night!

I am an Army wife and agree with Sidge and talc, there will be a variety I think the majority would tend to be similiar to the one Sidge linked to although there will be the odd flowing ball gown.
The rules sometimes get blurred when it is a Ball rather than a dinner night and it also depends on the views of the person in charge of the Mess holding the Ball some are more traditional than others. However I would definitely cover my shoulders for the meal - wrap, jacket etc
The other tip is that people do not generally leave the table during the meal, so don't drink too much before you sit down to eat!!!
Hope you have a super evening.

Thank you soo much for all yours help / suggestions!

I'm going down to Cabots Circus on Friday so hoping to get some inspiration / find something to buy then with your supreme guidance!

Just need to find some stamina from somewhere as heard about the 5am finishes - I'm usually shattered by the weekend after the boys have run me ragged and cannot remember the last time I saw 5am through from a night out - maybe this is the time to rediscover it!

Hi Nessica,

A Mess do Ladies Night tends to be more like evening dress (Sidge's 1st eg) but a ball tends to be a bit more flamboyant but not 1980's meringue .

At a ladies night, usually, there'll be a sit down meal, in which case, the guy sitting to your left (I think) takes you in when you're called for dinner.

You don't start eating until the CO and Mrs CO start, which will be once everyone has been served.

You don't leave the table after the meal/speeches until the CO and wife/husband for equality's sake .

You don't leave at the end of the night before the CO without asking if he minds.

If it's an xmas ball, dress code is usually long unless it's a fancy dress code.

Have fun and defo go to the loo before you sit down if it's a dinner night and learn how to discreetly stifle yawns .

it may also pay to think ahead as to how one might manage to, for example, ride a bull, or get in and out of dodgem cars, or reverse bungee wearing the said frock. if you intend to re-run it at any occasion.

jus' sayin'.

madwoman is right - as much fun as it looks, riding a bull with your Gok nude all-in-one may not seem such a good idea once you've seen the after-ball pics

Agree with Madwoman flowing dress is good for riding the bull or surfing but can get caught up in Dodgem cars.

Quick tip for every drink you drink have a water, the night will be long and by the end of it you will be merry but that is better than falling down hammered :)