What to wear for mess ball?

adwilliams

You don't say what level of Mess it is - Corporals, Warrant Officers & Sergeants, or Officers. Each level of Mess will have it's own 'code'. Your best bet is to ask the person who invited you - they'll see you right because if you come wrongly attired it's them that will cop the extra duties.

I'll assume it's a WO & Sgts Mess Summer Ball (I was a SNCO in an Infantry Regiment). If the Mess members are in Mess Dress you will probably be expected to wear something full length - years ago a ball gown but these days full length will usually be OK - but it depends on the individual unit. If the members are just in suit and tie, then a cocktail dress will be fine.

Tips. Again based on the WO & Sgts Mess. Thank the RSM & the PMC for their allowing you to attend. Compliment the PEC for the quality of the entertainment. Do not touch the silver. If the Colours are present (silk flags with battle honours sewn on to them) - do not touch those either!!! As a guest you will ordinarily not be allowed to go to the bar but if you are stood nearby and a mess member sees your glass is empty or nearly empty they will offer to buy you a drink even if they have no idea who you are.

If it's ball gowns, consider going 'commando' - visiting the ladies cubicles and trying to have a wee with all that cloth a ball gown entails is extremly difficult especially the later it gets and the merrier you become (least that's what my wife used to say).

Foggster

Ask around friends and see if anyone has a black bolero as I think you will be fighting the pashmina to stay on your shoulders!

The dress looks fab and trust me there will be at least 1 person who will totally flout the code!

Downsizing__for_sanity

Dress looks fab! I'm ex-RAF officer, husband still in so still got all my dresses. Just to say that TKMaxx is often great for ball dresses, start from about £40 usually. I often get mine there for the Summer Ball as I know I won't be devastated the day after when I see all the red wine and champagne spilt on it, not to mention pulled threads from people standing on it/getting stuck in the Dodgems etc!

Monsoon and Coast can be lovely for ball dresses, but as we are in a fairly rural location, there's always the risk that more than one of you will be wearing the same dress....if that happens you just have to laugh and compliment them on their taste!

And there will be someone there who should be well aware of the dress code but flouts it blatantly. Don't let them bother you, just listen out for the !!!!!y comments about them from the wives' network!

Have a fab time, wear longlasting mascara and lipstick you don't have to top up every five mins - because if you're having a great time you'll never get a chance to! Also - make sure you get your photo taken (if they have a professional photographer) early doors, while you look good - 2 bottles of champers later and the Dodgems/Bronco takes it's toll!

Enjoy,

Ellie (Downsizing)

smashedbooboo

The dress you have bought is lovely. And I am going to be cheeky and ask where you got it from. Loving it.

Thanks
Boo x x x x

1012donna

I've just received my dress from sexyher.co.uk that I shall be wearing at our summer ball. I am really impressed with it - I had my reservations as the prices are so low...I've seen the same dresses in town for about £200 - £240.

This is it :

http://www.sexyher.co.uk/product-Strapless%20%20Lace-up%20Corset%20Prom%20Dress%20ball%20gown%20evening%20dress-448.html

smashedbooboo

Sexyher is a really good website. I have a couple of dresses from them. I am a locum nurse, and I do nearly all my placements with the army. And I have had the opportunity to attend lots of Mess functions. I have had a fair bit of luck on Ebay as well with my dresses. Good luck to all in the search for a perfect dress, but the main thing to do is just enjoy the functions you go to. They are really fab. xxxxx

spike7451

adwilliams wrote: »

You don't say what level of Mess it is - Corporals, Warrant Officers & Sergeants, or Officers. Each level of Mess will have it's own 'code'. Your best bet is to ask the person who invited you - they'll see you right because if you come wrongly attired it's them that will cop the extra duties.

I'll assume it's a WO & Sgts Mess Summer Ball (I was a SNCO in an Infantry Regiment). If the Mess members are in Mess Dress you will probably be expected to wear something full length - years ago a ball gown but these days full length will usually be OK - but it depends on the individual unit. If the members are just in suit and tie, then a cocktail dress will be fine.

Tips. Again based on the WO & Sgts Mess. Thank the RSM & the PMC for their allowing you to attend. Compliment the PEC for the quality of the entertainment. Do not touch the silver. If the Colours are present (silk flags with battle honours sewn on to them) - do not touch those either!!! As a guest you will ordinarily not be allowed to go to the bar but if you are stood nearby and a mess member sees your glass is empty or nearly empty they will offer to buy you a drink even if they have no idea who you are.

If it's ball gowns, consider going 'commando' - visiting the ladies cubicles and trying to have a wee with all that cloth a ball gown entails is extremly difficult especially the later it gets and the merrier you become (least that's what my wife used to say).

Agree with the above,
Not to mention once you are sat down for dinner,you cannot get up to go to the loo until given the nod from the top table,different regiments have different customs for passing the port,however as a lady,you wont pour your own. (and the port is often cheap rotgut!)
I find that the room gets very hot after a while & I've even wrung my dress shirt out on getting home,especially as our mess uniforms are quite thick & hot!

Reverbe

christineperseus wrote: »

shoulders must be covered - and you're not allowed to leave the table to go to the toilet - if you're unwell enought to leave - you're deemed too poorly to return.

Tell me this isnt true.. surely one cant be expected to withhold bodily functions ???thats a bit inhumane and Guantanamo like :eek::eek:

spike7451

Reverbe wrote: »

Tell me this isnt true.. surely one cant be expected to withhold bodily functions ???thats a bit inhumane and Guantanamo like :eek::eek:

It's true I'm afraid.Last year when the PMC let everyone go the was a mad dash,one chap made the mistake of going before the break & had his chair removed by the time he got back.

You may find this useful:

http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/resources/csi/cgscpam/cgscpam.asp

http://www.arrse.co.uk/Forums/viewtopic/t=2161.html

1012donna

Reverbe wrote: »

Tell me this isnt true.. surely one cant be expected to withhold bodily functions ???thats a bit inhumane and Guantanamo like :eek::eek:

It is very true!!!! I am always bursting by the time the admin break comes round. Even if you feel you don't need to go I would advise you go at every opportunity!!