It is mandatory for my husband to go to the AF Ball this year. What do I wear as a civilian?

Question

This is the first time either of us have been to the AF Ball since he has been in the military (8 yrs). We really have no idea what to expect. Also, he wants to buy Mess Dress for it but he is a low ranking NCO and I mean low. He is SSGT. Should he get the Mess Dress or just go semi-formal in his altered Dress Blues?

Answer 1

i would go semi-formal to formal at lest thats how it was for Navy, Merines, and Army so im asuming it would be the same for the Air Force  

Answer 2

The balls thrown by the branches are all semi-formal to formal. Have him as his commander what the dress code is for the ball and then dress accordingly. In either case you should be dressed in a sophisticated manner... No S****y dresses or things that belong in a high school gym during homecoming/prom.

I usually go to Cache to get my dress (Marine Corps ball)... but I'll also order them off-line.

Answer 3

It is a AF ball!

Super ultra formal.

Long gowns and dance shoes are the correct attire

Answer 4

It might be mandatory for HIM to go, but they can't make you go if you don't want to.  When we have our mandatory balls we usually leave our wives home if they don't feel like going.  But if you do go, you should wear something nice that you would wear to any formal party.  A short dress showing a lot of cleavage isn't recommended.  If you still aren't sure then talk to the wives of some of your husband's peers who went to them before.

Answer 5

Don't buy a dress mess.  These balls are really no big deal.  If you want to go (you really don't HAVE to go), wear a formal dress (floor length).  Do not wear hoochiee clothes.  Dress elegant, classy.

I would suggest he wear his dress blues, and it's true, the dress mess uniform is SO expensive.  He will be out of place in dress mess as a junior nco.

Answer 6

Is there no formal document stating dress? if not I would go ahead witht he mess dress as for a spouse wear something very formal(i.e. fancy dress)

Answer 7

don't bother springing for Mess Dress unless he is Career and he expects to attend more Balls in the future.  those puppies are expensive.

you need to wear  a nice cocktail dress or gown.. minimum calf length.   and nothing slit up to the crotch or cut to the navel.  

Answer 8

Mess Dress is the appropriate attire for a function like this for your husband.  For you, an evening gown/cocktail dress is appropriate.