Ball gown

1850s In previous years, the same type of dress might have been called an evening dress, having very similar features; low-cut neckline, a tight bodice, a large skirt and (sometimes) bare arms. The ball gown at this time had similar features, a full skirt supported by a petticoat, a tight waist achieved by a corset or bodice with a stay to keep the wearer upright and with perfect posture, off the shoulder style and with bare arms. In the coming years, the introduction of the sewing machine changed the dress market. Middle-class people could now produce their own dresses and with more quality and efficiency than before when they were made by hand. Upper class members of society might still have had their dresses made by a designer but with the turn around time decreased. Designer dresses were typically part of a designer's collection, having them altered for the wearer. Designers need to know where a dress will be worn to avoid two people from matching. But if the original wearer decides to wear the dress to another event afterwards, the possibility of matching is increased. In modern times, designers must understand that their pieces of work will be criticized and also praised as a result of the internet and paparazzi. Gallery File:Ball gown MET C.I.69.33.1ab F.jpeg|Ballgown in cream gathered tulle by Emile Pingat, c. 1860s. Metropolitan Museum of Art File:Ball gown MET C.I.69.14.4 S.jpg|Red silk and velvet ball gown by Elizabeth Marie Louise Jaeger, c. 1875-1880. Metropolitan Museum of Art File:Ball gown MET 1979.346.78ab F.jpg|Silk ball gown, c. 1887-1889. Metropolitan Museum of Art File:Ball gown MET 65.184.64 (c003).jpeg|Silk and linen ball gown by Jacque Doucet, 1898-1902. Metropolitan Museum of Art File:Christian Dior Dress.jpg|Christian Dior ball gown and evening glove, 1954, at the Indianapolis Museum of Art File:Buenos Aires - Eva Perón de gala en fundación del Teatro Colón.jpeg|Eva Perón wearing a gown by Christian Dior, 1950 File:Two Jean Dessès evening gowns, 1951.jpg|Two Jean Dessès ball gowns, 1951 == Culture ==

The first forms of the 21st century term “debutante ball” or “cotillion” emerged in the mid 19th century with what was called a “coming out ball”. These events were meant to show off the women who were now of marriageable age. Traditionally the debutantes will wear all white, but with varying styles of dress. While the style of dress can vary, strapless and sleeveless variations are popular and are typically worn with white long gloves and can be accessorized with bouquets, and sometimes a fan. For most of the 19th century, a headdress with veiling was a popular style as well as a full train attached at the waist and in later years it would attach to the shoulders. File:Debutantes having a dress rehearsal, February 2009.jpg File:Debutante-dress.jpg File:Agnes Melanie Dickson as a debutante, ca. 1890 (9306366314).jpg The traditional ideals of the debutante ball vary based on location in the United States. The debutantes in New Orleans could be seen wearing jeweled crowns and dresses with Medici collars with elongated trains. Texas has variations within its various regions. In Laredo, middle class debutantes wear beaded suede garments. In San Antonio, the dresses are of elaborate colors and covered in beads of different designs. The beads add extensive weight having some dresses weigh in at about 75 lbs. Another coming of age event is the quinceañera, an event in Latin American cultures when a girl turns 15. Their gowns are often very brightly colored and resemble traditional ball gowns with very full ruffled or ruched skirts. File:Quinceañera. Santa Fe (14369403262).jpg File:Quinceañeras 2011 - Pasarela (5580591293).jpg File:Pasarela de las "Quinceañeras del Bicentenario" (4458414368).jpg File:Quinceañera. Santa Fe (14184259179).jpg|Quinceanera photo from Santa Fe, New Mexico == First Ladies Collection ==

In 1912, Helen Taft along with collection founders Cassie Mason Myers Julian-James, Rose Gouverneur Hoes, and the Smithsonian Institution started the “First Ladies Collection.” It is customary for the first lady of the United States to donate the dress she wears to the inauguration ball but it is not required. Every first lady is represented in the collection although they are not all inaugural dresses. Taft started this tradition when she donated her dress that she wore during her husband's inauguration. Typically the dresses were added to the collection after the president in question had left office but in 1955 the public uproar to see Mamie Eisenhower's inaugural dress was so strong that the Smithsonian changed their policy and added her dress immediately, not waiting until her husband left office. File:Smithsonian National Museum of American History - Helen Tafts Inaugural Ball Gown (3425448486).jpg|Helen Taft's ball gown File:Smithsonian National Museum of American History - Mamie Eisenhowers Evening Gown (3425451492).jpg|Mamie Eisenhower's ball gown File:Hearth Truth red dresses.jpg == See also ==