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A ball gown is the most formal female attire for social occasions. According to rules of etiquette
Etiquette

Etiquette is a code that influences expectations for social behavior according to contemporary Convention Norm s within a society, social class, or Group ....
, a ball gown must be worn where "white tie
White tie

White tie is the most formal evening dress code . It is worn to events such as balls, the opera, and formal dinners. The chief components for men are the dress coat, white bow tie and waistcoat, and starched shirt, while women wear a suitable dress for the occasion, such as a ball gown....
" or "evening dress" is specified on the invitation. It is traditionally a full-skirted gown
Gown

A gown is a loose outer garment from knee- to full-length worn by men and women in Europe from the early Middle Ages to the seventeenth century ; later, gown was applied to any woman's garment consisting of a bodice and attached skirt....
 reaching at least to the ankle
Ankle

In human anatomy, the ankle joint is formed where the foot and the human leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot....
s, made of luxurious fabric, delicately and exotically trimmed.






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Ball Gowns Pauqet Early 1860s
A ball gown is the most formal female attire for social occasions. According to rules of etiquette
Etiquette

Etiquette is a code that influences expectations for social behavior according to contemporary Convention Norm s within a society, social class, or Group ....
, a ball gown must be worn where "white tie
White tie

White tie is the most formal evening dress code . It is worn to events such as balls, the opera, and formal dinners. The chief components for men are the dress coat, white bow tie and waistcoat, and starched shirt, while women wear a suitable dress for the occasion, such as a ball gown....
" or "evening dress" is specified on the invitation. It is traditionally a full-skirted gown
Gown

A gown is a loose outer garment from knee- to full-length worn by men and women in Europe from the early Middle Ages to the seventeenth century ; later, gown was applied to any woman's garment consisting of a bodice and attached skirt....
 reaching at least to the ankle
Ankle

In human anatomy, the ankle joint is formed where the foot and the human leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot....
s, made of luxurious fabric, delicately and exotically trimmed. Most versions are cut off the shoulder with decollete necklines. Such gown
Gown

A gown is a loose outer garment from knee- to full-length worn by men and women in Europe from the early Middle Ages to the seventeenth century ; later, gown was applied to any woman's garment consisting of a bodice and attached skirt....
s are typically worn with a stole
Stole (shawl)

A stole is a lady's shawl, especially a formal shawl of expensive textile used over a party dress or ballgown.A stole is typically narrower than a shawl, and of simpler construction than a cape; being a length of a quality material, wrapped and carried about the shoulders or arms....
 (a formal shawl in expensive fabric), cape
Cape

A cape is a type of clothing, and can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening about the neck....
 or cloak
Cloak

A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat—it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform....
 in lieu of a coat
Coat (clothing)

A coat is a long clothing worn by both men and women, for warmth, protection or fashion. Coats typically have long sleeves and open down the front, closing by means of buttons, zippers, Velcro, toggles, a belt , or a combination of these....
, "good" (couture or vintage) jewelery and opera-length glove
Glove

A glove is a type of garment which covers the hand of a human. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb; if there is an opening but no covering sheath for each finger they are called "fingerless gloves"....
s. Standard accessories are dancing shoes and a clutch style evening bag. Where "state decoration
State decoration

State decorations are Order s, medals and other decorations granted by a state. International decorations are similar, but are not granted by a specific nation but rather an international organization....
s" are to be worn, they are on a bow pinned to the chest, and married women wear a tiara
Tiara

A tiara is a form of Crown . There are two possible types of crown that this word can refer to.Traditionally, the word "tiara" refers to a high crown, often with the shape of a cylinder narrowed at its top, made of fabric or leather, and richly ornamented....
 if they have one. The ball-gown shape has changed little since the mid-19th century. Although artificial fabrics are now sometimes used, the most common fabrics are satin
Satin

Satin is a cloth that typically has a glossy surface and a dull back. It is a warp -dominated weaving technique that forms a minimum number of interlacings in a fabric....
, silk
Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be weaving into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from Pupa#Cocoons made by the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity ....
, taffeta
Taffeta

Taffeta is a crisp, smooth woven fabric made from silk or synthetic fibres. The word is Persian language in origin, and means "twisted woven." It is considered to be a "high end" fabric, suitable for use in ball gowns, wedding dresses, and in interiors for curtains or wallcovering....
 and velvet
Velvet

File:Ottoman cover.jpgVelvet is a type of tufted textile in which the cut yarns are very evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it a distinct feel....
 with trimmings of lace
Lace

Lace is an openwork fabric, patterned with open holes in the work, made by machine or by hand. The holes can be formed via removal of threads or cloth from a previously woven fabric, but more often open spaces are created as part of the lace fabric....
, pearl
Pearl

A pearl is a hard, roundish object produced within the soft tissue of a living animal shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of mollusks, a pearl is made up of of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers....
s, sequin
Sequin

Sequins are disk-shaped beads used for decorative purposes. They are available in a wide variety of colors and geometrical shapes. Sequins are commonly used on clothing, jewelry, bags and other accessories....
s, embroidery
Embroidery

File:Kazakh rug chain stitch embroidery.jpgEmbroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating Textile or other materials with sewing needle and yarn....
, ruffle
Ruffle

In sewing and dressmaking, a ruffle, frill, or furbelow is a strip of textile, lace or ribbon tightly gather or pleated on one edge and applied to a clothing, bedding, curtain or other textile as a form of trim ....
s and ruching.

The elements of ladies' white tie attire

According to rules of etiquette
Etiquette

Etiquette is a code that influences expectations for social behavior according to contemporary Convention Norm s within a society, social class, or Group ....
 and attire, ladies must wear a ball gown to events where men are required to wear white tie
White tie

White tie is the most formal evening dress code . It is worn to events such as balls, the opera, and formal dinners. The chief components for men are the dress coat, white bow tie and waistcoat, and starched shirt, while women wear a suitable dress for the occasion, such as a ball gown....
 attire. The elements of ladies' white tie attire could include:

  • ball gown - ballerina (to the ankle) or full-length (to the floor)


  • dancing shoe
    Shoe

    A shoe is an item of footwear evolved at first to protect the human foot and later, additionally, as an item of decoration in itself. The foot contains more bones than any other single part of the human body, and has human evolution over hundreds of thousands of years in relation to vastly varied terrain and climate....
    s - formal pump
    High-heeled shoe

    High-heeled footwear is footwear that raises the heel of the wearer's foot significantly higher than the toes. When both the heel and the toes are raised equal amounts, as in a platform shoe, it is not considered to be a "high-heel"....
    s, sandals or ballet slippers
  • jewelery - earrings and necklace
    Necklace

    A necklace is an article of jewellery which is worn around the neck. Necklaces are frequently formed from a metal chain, often attached to a locket or pendant....
    ; rings and bracelet
    Bracelet

    A bracelet is an article of jewelry which is worn around the wrist. Bracelets can be manufacturing from leather, cloth, hemp, plastic or metal, and sometimes contain Rock s, wood, and/or Animal shells....
    s are optional. A watch
    Watch

    A watch is a timepiece that is made to be worn on a person. The term now usually refers to a wristwatch, which is worn on the wrist with a strap or bracelet....
     is not considered appropriate except for jeweled versions in which the face is covered so that it resembles a bracelet.
  • glove
    Glove

    A glove is a type of garment which covers the hand of a human. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb; if there is an opening but no covering sheath for each finger they are called "fingerless gloves"....
    s - if worn, should be opera length
  • stole
    Stole (shawl)

    A stole is a lady's shawl, especially a formal shawl of expensive textile used over a party dress or ballgown.A stole is typically narrower than a shawl, and of simpler construction than a cape; being a length of a quality material, wrapped and carried about the shoulders or arms....
    , cape
    Cape

    A cape is a type of clothing, and can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening about the neck....
     or cloak
    Cloak

    A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat—it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform....
    , or an opera coat
    Opera coat

    An opera coat is an ankle- or floor-length loose-fitting coat of luxurious fabric such as velvet, brocade or satin, to be worn over an evening gown or a man's tuxedo....
  • handbag - clutch style or small evening bag


Optional:
  • state decoration
    State decoration

    State decorations are Order s, medals and other decorations granted by a state. International decorations are similar, but are not granted by a specific nation but rather an international organization....
    s - if specified on invitation; worn on a bow pinned to the chest


Debutantes

For their debut
Cotillion

In American usage, a Cotillion is a Ball , often the venue for presenting debutantes....
s, debutantes wear long white ball gowns. They also wear long white leather gloves that go well above the elbow and that close with small pearl buttons at the wrist. Their jewellery is understated and suitable for a young lady about to be formally presented to society for the first time.

See also

  • Ball (dance)
    Ball (dance)

    A ball is a formal dance. The word 'ball' is derived from the Latin word "ballare", meaning 'to dance'; the term also derived into "bailar", which is the Spanish language and Portuguese language word for dance ....
  • Ballerina skirt
    Ballerina skirt

    Ballerina skirt is a full skirt that reaches to just above the ankles. It was a popular style during the 1950s.Ballerina skirts have been a consistently popular length for ball gowns, especially for young women....
  • Cocktail dress
    Cocktail dress

    A cocktail dress or cocktail gown is a woman's dress worn at Cocktail party, and semi-formal occasions.The length of cocktail dresses varies depending on fashion and local custom....
  • Crinoline
    Crinoline

    Crinoline was originally a stiff cloth with a weft of horse-hair and a Warp of cotton or linen yarn. The fabric first appeared around 1830, but by 1850 the word had come to mean a stiffened petticoat or rigid Dress -shaped structure of steel designed to support the skirts of a woman?s Dress into the required shape....
  • Gown
    Gown

    A gown is a loose outer garment from knee- to full-length worn by men and women in Europe from the early Middle Ages to the seventeenth century ; later, gown was applied to any woman's garment consisting of a bodice and attached skirt....


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