I have a complaint.
I spent the last week helping my sister to prepare for her winter formal dance. We went shopping for the perfect dress. The appropriate undergarments for a strapless dress. The perfect shoes to go with the dress – high heels that weren’t too high cause we’re a tall bunch and dancing in uncomfortable shoes is awful. And today we spent all day getting the fancy updo at the hair salon and new nails that match the dress, not to mention the make-up that matches. We made sure the camera was charged so she could get picture of all her friends. The anticipation of this dance was kinda funny, I think I was more concerned about her not getting her hair messed up or her dress dirty than she was. She was gorgeous, breathtaking really when you consider some of her favorite outfits included camouflage T-shirts last year – maybe I’ll post pictures on another day.
I never went to any super formal dance. I was content to go to the dances where you could party in a pair of jeans and a nice shirt.
Which brings me to my complaint. I realized today that there are only 2 reasons for a woman to buy the perfect dress, get the hair updo and the matching nails. The first being obvious… high school formal dances. The second being your wedding day.
It’s not fair that once we grow up we don’t have dances where we get to look like a princess or feel like we’re Queen of the world. It’s not fair that the young get to have all the fun. And for those of us who will probably either get hitched in Vegas or never get married, we will never have that day.
Most of us will go through life holding our few “princess” dresses close to our hearts and remember that day or evening and the effort that went into making that day perfect.
Bull – Shit.
Yes, I said it.
It’s just not right. Why aren’t there fancy balls, masquerade parties, elegant dinners and the like where normal people (not rich people or movie stars) can have more than just one day. Where we can get super fancy dresses and go have fun with our friends. Where everyone looks beautiful and the men are wearing Suitsdressed classy. Like an old Sinatra movie where dancing is beautiful and elegant and meaningful – not like the head-banging mosh pits or sex fests of today. Where Every woman who attends feels like they deserve the attention of every man in the room. Where we women can oogle over the plunging necklines or extra frills and fluffs of our friend’s dresses. Where we can have a drink, listen to music, and not have to go to a crappy bar to dance.
Where has our culture gone? Where has class gone?
All the single women, stay-at-home moms, working women, behind the desk geeks, and grandmas deserve a more than just their prom and their wedding(s).
SO, I propose that instead of a walk-a-thon, a bake sale, a pancake breakfast, or a auction, I propose that the next time you get involved in a fund raiser you have a ball. If you were to charge $30 per ticket, offer light refreshments, have a bar (people would of course buy their liquor) and have some live classy blues or jazz band – something that makes you want to dance. I think it would be an utter success. And damn-it I want to go.
*sigh*
I’m done,
I could not agree more. I have long been bemoaning the lack of femininity in general in our wasteland culture. And this is certainly one example.
~Becky
Trina,
This is a great idea! I want to go. So color me there………….. I am already………………. I am wearing my costume, I am going as an Angel. I have my wings on and my tank top with Jesus is my bro on the front of it on. I am ready for the Costume Ball, just tell me when and where, I’ll be there.
Love and Blessings,
Angelbaby
I’ve been watching Jane Austen movies lately and these people had balls ALL THE TIME! I think it must have been wonderful to live back in those days when the ball was common…well, that is one of the nice things…I’m sure there were quite a few other unsavory things one had to deal with too! lol! But, yes…you are right…we need more special occasions!
Good post, Trina. Just thinking…maybe girls, women have lowered their own expectations in a way? I’m thinking I’m probably of a generation older than you and, at the same time came from a slightly different culture…where the guys wore suits and ties just to take their dates to a movie (and the dates wore heels, got ‘gussied up’ also). I know exactly where you’re coming from. Recently I was on a several day break with a group. Ages were from 21 to 60 and it WAS a fun group, had a great time. But one evening we were going to a show. My partner and I ‘dressed up’ (the show was at the Venetian in LV). We all gathered to head to the theatre. One young couple…the young woman was elegantly dressed. Not a fancy ball gown, of course, but a beautiful, fitted, cocktail dress, hair coiffed, stunning heels with evening purse to match. The young man wearing jeans, long sleeved shirt (tails out) and a ball cap. I have to be honest…had I been the young woman I’d have told him he was not escorting me anywhere! Not a chance! She didn’t, though. So, girls, ladies, women…first find a place where you can go duded up then, if you have an escort lined up, let him know what you expect…make sure THEY ditch the ball caps, shorts, baggies, tee shirts or even collared shirts without a tie. I’m thinking we don’t so much need a special occasion to attend as we need to make any evening out “an occasion”. Go for it girls!