[mkendrick]

I'm just looking for some ideas and inspiration.

My fiance is an Army officer, and he and his unit are on their way home from Iraq at this very moment. I am beyond excited. Well there is a bunch of yay-the-deployment-is-over kind of festivities coming up, including a military ball. I personally LOVE the balls. It's like prom, but with alcohol, important people (who are drunk, lol), all the guys in their dress uniforms, and the ladies all prettied up. It's a blast, lol.

Well at the last ball I went to, I was at my highest weight. I wore a black dress for no other reason other than black is slimming. I thought I looked hot that night, but looking back, I'm amazed at how chubby I was. Well at this ball, my fiance has been promoted (he's a Captain), and we're going to be sitting at one of the command tables at the front. I want to wear something that is very classy, but also a bit flashy and sexy. Definitely figure hugging, hehe. A slinky sheath dress, perhaps. I'm thinking I want a red dress since I never felt that I was slim enough to pull red off. I'm ready to rock it now

The dress code is formal/fancy cocktail dress to ball gown. Definitely formal. A lot of the girls make the mistake of buying straight up prom dresses and they look like they're headed to the prom, not a military ball.

Anybody want to help me find some dresses for inspiration?

Here's kinda what I'm thinking:

[kateleestar]

Personally, I like the second red one way better, it highlights the waist more!

This one is pretty:

http://zoombridal.com/zbev01024.html?___store=english

I <3 mermaid dresses:

http://www.ecrater.com/p/6067102/red...maid-2010-prom

This one comes in red, too:

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?...Shawl%20%20Red

I love love Maggie Sottero dresses. She made, not personally, my wedding dress:

http://www.ecrater.com/p/7181712/str...ero-beaded-red


I've gotten many a special occasion dress from David's. They are sucky in customer service, but for the price, it's good:

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_...-Shop-By-Color



Good luck on your search! I loooove dress shopping.

[Shopaholic1204]

I like the 2nd red one too. Red is a very sexy color!!

Hope these help for inspiration. (these are super pricey!!)
http://www.onlygowns.com/dresses/one...-gown-1003.asp

http://www.onlygowns.com/dresses/gla...g-gown-769.asp

i think the top is pretty
http://www.onlygowns.com/dresses/wel...n-gown-926.asp

this is roomy enough to dance in!!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2952482?...resultback=288

I hope you have fun at the ball!! It's been awhile since we went to a Military ball. (I've been to like 4 "vampire" balls at Twilight conventions in the past year, lol!!)

[MadameZombie]

I like the second red one... The blue looks a bit too pageanty.

[Shytowngal]

I love Le Femme Fashion dresses. Here is a great red one (second row, last one) I am also in LOVE with some of the patterned dresses on the first page.

http://www.lafemmefashion.com/prom_dresses/?p=5

[MariaS]

I love both styles but whichever one you go with pick red, you would rock it!

[guamvixen]

I like this one. It's sexy, yet classy, and will show off your figure! Plus the price is good, and I really like this brand! I wore something from them to a holiday party last year.

http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com...&maxPg=1&size=

[hhichick]

I love the first red dress. I the second set of dresses looks too young, too pageanty to me.

[chickybird]

I really like the first red one you picked.
I also liked this one, that another posted picked:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_...-Shop-By-Color

This one comes in red.
http://www.simplydresses.com/shop/viewitem-PD428187


I adore this dress, but it doesn't come in red.

http://www.simplydresses.com/shop/viewitem-PD500760

Just my two cents--I think you're gorgeous and would love lovely wearing a trash bag, but that's just me! Have fun!

[jenn33082]

I adore the first one Megan.

[FreeSpirit]

I'm only used to Marine Corps balls and uniforms so I'm not familiar with Army officer dress uniforms, but you don't want anything that's going to clash too much with his uniform. Red and black dresses are pretty common at our balls because they match so well and are flattering to most figures. Is your fiancee going to need to wander around and "mingle?" If so, you should probably find out if any part of the ball is going to be held outside or somewhere in open air because it may get chilly and you might want to have a shawl.

[mkendrick]

Good call, FreeSpirit The officers will wear dress blues which are navy blue with the award ribbons and badges and all that. He's a Field Artillery officer, so on his shoulder boards are bright red and gold with the captain rank on it. Another reason why I wanted red...I know it's a small detail, but I like it. Also, the ball will be held inside.

Thanks for all the suggestions, you guys, I LOVE everything that has been posted. I want about 50 of those Le Femme dresses. I'll definitely make a trip to David's Bridal and the major department stores and such. I just don't want to get a dress that three other girls have. That happened to me at the last ball with my generic black dress, lol.

Hehe, we have the ball in November and our wedding is in December. I have already gotten my wedding dress (which I adore), but I think I am putting more thought into my ball dress than my wedding gown, lol.

[Eliana]

Originally Posted by hhichick

I love the first red dress. I the second set of dresses looks too young, too pageanty to me.

Ditto.

[AnnieDrews]

A ball....swoon....how exciting! The little girl in me still would love to dress up and go to things like that. I've just never had the chance, not at least since my high school prom. I can't give any advice on what to wear, but I can't wait to see what you choose. Have fun and be beautiful!!

[smallvolume]

I like the second red one!