Approval deadline: December 11
WHAT MAKES A DRESS A BALLGOWN?
-Full, voluminous skirt landing between floor and ankle length. Some A-line dresses have full enough skirts to accommodate a hoop so A-line styles are a case-by-case basis.
-Structured bodice. This could include boning, corset, etc. Zippers are fine too.
-Waistline usually near natural waist, although Basque or dropped waistlines are also appropriate.
-Worn with either a crinoline petticoat or a hoopskirt, or both.
-Ballgowns can be found in a number of fabrics: organza, silk, lace, but the most common is tulle or satin.
-No skirt openings or slits that expose the legs during movement. Decorative overskirt openings may be approved if they are layered, do not reveal skin underneath and do not interfere with dancing.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Many dresses are designed more for photoshoots and posing and looking cute than actual dancing. Some of them come with trains and most come very long. At Banquet & Ball, you will be walking, sitting, eating and drinking, and dancing for hours at a time. Please make sure the dress you want to buy is designed in a way that will 1) fit your body type appropriately for these activities, 2) be comfortable and 3) be approved by our team!
WHY DO I NEED A HOOPSKIRT/CRINOLINE?
It is easier to dance in a big dress that isn’t clinging to your legs and trying to tangle you up. Ballgowns are often made of heavy or bulky fabric, and a hoopskirt in particular is valuable for supporting the dress as you move and preventing tripping. Also, a hoopskirt gives you that beautiful “floofy” ballgown silhouette!
WHERE CAN I FIND A BALLGOWN OR HOOPSKIRT?
Many places have in-person shops, but buying in-person is more expensive than ordering online. Of course the benefit of shopping locally is that you get to try dresses on instead of wishing and hoping and guessing about sizing. We recommend Fashion Corner in Sunnyside and Lupita's Boutique in Yakima as reputable and high-quality sellers of ballgowns with in-store alteration services.
We recommend Amazon, jjshouse.com, selkiecollection.com and fancifuldoll.com as reputable online sellers of ballgowns. If you decide to order online, please start this process as early as you can to make time for shipping and any alterations you will need done.
We also have this handy Ballgown Borrowing Catalog! Every dress on this document is pre-approved as far as style, so the only consideration is “does it fit you.” These dresses are all owned by local Yakima ladies, so unfortunately we are not able to ship ballgowns to attendees who live at a distance.
WHY DO I NEED MY DRESS TO BE APPROVED?
1) Banquet&Ball being a very formal event, we want everybody on the same page about the dress code. There are plenty of beautiful dresses out there that are the wrong silhouette and type of dress.
2) Many dresses need significant alterations to make them dance-able, and these alterations can take a long time. The most common one needed is hemming so that you don’t step on or trip on your skirt while walking and dancing. The approval process ensures you are prepared in advance and don’t have to spend time day-of the event altering your dress, which can be time-consuming and stressful.
3) Dress malfunctions can take away from the Ball experience. Some ladies have spent hours during the Ball itself fixing dress issues, adjusting bodices, managing hems or helping someone else with a malfunction. If a gown is not fitted appropriately ahead of time, it can significantly detract from the wearer’s experience and may also take another lady away from enjoying the event. The approval and alteration process is meant to prevent that scenario whenever possible.
4) We value modesty. Low necklines, sheer bodices, low-cut backs and two-piece dresses are common problems on many dresses available for purchase. Some strapless ballgowns can be appropriate as long as they are secure and are in no danger of sliding off while dancing or moving.
Our Approval T
APPROVAL PROCESS
1) Please reach out to our team BEFORE you make a purchase to ensure that your dress meets the qualifications above. When you get the green light, order away! However, please do not assume that a dress is approved until both the style and final fit have been reviewed. If you order online, check the return policy carefully before purchasing. This is especially important for custom-sized gowns, special orders, international sellers, and dresses you plan to alter yourself. Make sure you have enough time for shipping, returns if needed, and alterations before the approval deadline of December 11.
2) Once your dress arrives, try it on with a friend to help and see what alterations you may need done. Maybe it’s a little big and you need the corset taken in. Maybe it’s a little long and you need it hemmed to ankle length. Make sure you’re wearing the shoes and hoopskirt/crinoline you plan to wear to the event so you can make accurate changes to the length.
3) After your alterations have been made, do a “movement test.” Wearing your dress, hoop, shoes, etc., grab a friend and practice a little dance, or at the very least walk around, jump around, move your hands over your head, etc. You should be able to do all these things without your bodice slipping and without tripping or tangling in your skirt.
4) Send a picture of you wearing your dress, shoes, hoopskirt, etc. to our approver using the below form or directly to her email/cell. She may suggest further alterations or have clarifying questions for you to answer. Make sure this process is completed by or before the December 11 approval deadline.
WHAT ABOUT SHOES AND COATS?
Again, you will be walking and dancing a lot. Stilettos are not allowed. Character shoes with heels under 2" or flats, especially with an ankle strap, are great options. If you decide to wear any type of heels, make sure you are able to securely dance in them. Your shoes should be comfy but dressy too. Dancers who wear special dance shoes that shouldn't be worn outside should bring a small bag to carry dance shoes and change from “outside shoes” to dancing shoes once we enter the venue. Keep in mind it will be winter and might be snowy, wet or icy. Whatever shoes you decide to wear, when you’re getting alterations done you should bring them to make sure you’re modifying to the right length. Regarding outerwear, make sure you have something that keeps you reasonably warm in the winter night. In the past we've seen shawls, capes, dress coats and cloaks, to name a few.
I’M PREGNANT… HOW DO I WEAR A BALLGOWN?
Maternity gowns are so much fun! No hoopskirt is necessary and your gown can have a high waistline than normal to accommodate your beautiful baby bump. Our suggestion is something in Regency style as seen in Pride and Prejudice.
YOU DIDN’T ANSWER MY SPECIFIC QUESTION ON THIS PAGE!
Reach out to us using the form. We are happy to personally help you find a ballgown and are so excited to hear from you!
To ask a question or to coordinate your ballgown approval, fill out the form!