WHAT MAKES A DRESS A BALLGOWN?
-Full skirt. Floof. Landing between floor and ankle length
-Structured bodice. This could include boning, corset, etc., but 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 for maximum floof!
-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. You will be walking, sitting, eating and drinking, and dancing for hours at a time. Please make sure the dress you buy is designed in a way that will 1) fit your body type appropriately for these activities 2) be comfortable 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 in my experience, 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, and many shops have in-person tailors to help with alterations. 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?
It’s less “we’re concerned you’re going to wear something immodest” and more to do with the following:
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. While all ballgowns may have a similar silhouette, there is a lot of variety of color and style in a ballgown so you can definitely find something that you love! It’s so much fun seeing what everybody wears.
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.
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.
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 approvers using the below form or directly to their email/cell. They may suggest further alterations or have clarifying questions for you to answer. Make sure this process is completed by or before December 11.
WHAT ABOUT SHOES AND COATS?
Again, you will be walking and dancing a lot. I strongly discourage high heels. Dance shoes such as character shoes or flats, especially with an ankle strap, are great options. Your shoes should be comfy to dance in but dressy too. If, like me, you have special dance shoes that you don’t like wearing outside, plan to bring a small bag to carry your shoes and change from your “outside shoes” to your dancing shoes once we get to the venue. Keep in mind it will be winter and might be snowy, wet or icy. Whatever shoes you decide to wear during the final event, 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! You get to ignore most of the rules 😉 My suggestion is something with an empire waist. Think Regency style like Pride and Prejudice. This style doesn’t need a hoopskirt either which makes it easy!
YOU DIDN’T ANSWER MY SPECIFIC QUESTION ON THIS PAGE!
Reach out to us. We are happy to personally help you find a ballgown and are so excited to hear from you!
-Kate Rodriguez
Ballgown Approver, B&B 2027
To ask a question or to coordinate your ballgown approval, fill out the form!