DRESS CODE

This year the Ball’s fashion focus is any style of derss withing the Victorian era.  For example, if you are thinking Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind” and the Civil War, you are right on target. We hope that you will join the professors and students of the Fashion Department in this living history event and take the opportunity to come dressed for the period.  However, if this is not possible, we ask that you honor our Black Tie/Formal dress code.

The most well-known fashions of this period are from the Civil War or Crinoline Period.

Ladies of the Crinoline Period  

Ladies of the period always wore their best to the Ball.  Many times, Ladies would wear a cotton day dress that they would brighten up by decorating it with new laces and ribbons for such an occasion.  Formal ball gowns featured a fitted bodice that often pointed at the waistline and had a wide neckline and bertha (collar).  Large hoops and crinolines of the period supported very full ankle length skirts that allowed for rows of decorative flounces, pick-ups and trims.

There are websites listed on the resources page of this site to assist you in making correct period choices for the ball.  We hope that you will make this an adventure in learning and enjoy this experience.

Ladies wearing Contemporary Dress

We ask that you wear formal full length gowns for this event.  A gown with a fuller skirt, rather than a straight or slit skirt would facilitate the period dances more easily.  This is a time period of very feminine beauty and modesty. We ask that you respect and present these qualities in your contemporary formal fashion choices.

Gentlemen of the Crinoline Period

Gentlemen wishing to dress for the period should focus on the years between 1859 and 1865. Civil War Uniforms, both northern and southern are welcome. Frock or Sack coats were everyday dress for the period and would be appropriate.  Tails coats were worn for Balls and formal events.

There are websites listed on the resources page of this site to assist you in making correct period choices for the ball.  We hope that you will make this an adventure in learning and enjoy this experience.


Gentlemen wearing Contemporary Dress

Tails are the most appropriate attire for this Ball. However, a formal diner jacket with a vest rather than a cummerbund is also indicative of the frock coat with a waistcoat (vest) of the period. Also, a dark suit (sorry, no sports jackets and trousers) with a vest and tie is acceptable.


Shoes for Ladies and Gentlemen

The ball will take place in the Life Sports Center at Albright College.  Out of respect for the Athletic Departments gracious provision of the Life Sports Center gymnasium for our event, we ask that careful consideration is given to the shoes that you wear.  There is no need to wear sneakers or tennis shoes, but we do ask that Ladies wear flat shoes or shoes that are soft soled with heels that have a large heel surface.  Spike heels or shoes with a heal surface under 1 inch square will not be permitted on the floor.  Gentlemen should not wear boots that have metal, cleats or soles that will mark the gymnasium floor while dancing.  A dress shoe with a soft sole or leather surface would be greatly appreciated.
We reserve the right to deny you entrance on to the floor wearing incorrect footwear that will harm the gym floor.

Gloves for Ladies and Gentlemen

It was customary during this period for ball attendees to wear gloves while dancing.  This was done to protect clothing from sweaty palms or dirty hands.  It was also quite nice to offer a clean white gloved hand to a lady or gentleman instead of a nervous, wet palm. Ladies of the time period wore wrist length, white cotton or kid skin gloves and gentlemen wore white or lemon yellow (military uniform) cotton gloves. We ask that all participants, both period and contemporary formal dressed, wear gloves at our ball.  There are gloves suppliers listed on the resources page of this site.  Gloves will also be available at the Dance and Social Graces workshop and the Ball for a minimal cost.  The students of the Ball committee have decided to donate any profits made from glove sales to Heifer International (http://www.heiferfoundation.org/) to purchase an animal for a family in a third world country.  If you would like to purchase a pair of gloves from the committee, please inform the ticket office of your desire when ordering your tickets and indicate your hand size as small, medium, large or extra large.


Dress for Youths

Children are welcome to attend the Ball provided they are under the constant guidance of their parents, are at least 12 years old and have the demeanor of a proper young lady or gentleman of the time period.  They may come in period dress for Ladies and Gentlemen as described above or in contemporary dress.  Young ladies wearing contemporary dress may wear a “Sunday Best” dress. They should not wear pants and should display a high level of modesty in dress.  Young gentlemen are expected to wear a vest and/or sports jacket with a tie.  These young ladies and gentlemen will be expected to dance and should have gloves to wear. Young ladies and gentlemen that are 16 years old are considered adults and should dress as adults.

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