For the Love of Ball Gowns

The most formal of dresses, the ball gown is that special dress that makes you feel oh-so-elegant is something to behold.

Once worn for ballroom dancing and very formal occasions according to rules of etiquette. This dress is typically to the ankle, made of luxurious fabric like satin, silk, taffeta, velvet, trimmed with lace, sequins, embroidery, pearls, ruffles and ruching. Worn with exquisite jewelry, a stole or cape, opera length gloves, a clutch and a tiara if you had one.

Of the ball gown, Daphne Guiness was quoted in British Vogue to say:

 “The ballgown. A vestige, true, of aristocratic past, but also for a long time the source of much experimentation in fashion.”

The ball gown shape has changed little since the mid-19th century. Typically seen more during the Oscar® awards, this dress harkens back to an era where we dressed more formally.

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Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950 – Victoria & Albert Museum