<p>I'm looking for advice from those who have been there. I'm pretty sure that dads should wear a Tux if they have one, but what sort of evening attire should the moms wear. Plebe net has given some advice, but it ranges from "formal but not something you would wear to a country club", to "break out the sequins this is the time to have fun". I understand that there will likely be a range of outfits, but can anyone tell me what the norm or middle ground is (if there is such a thing??).
I have tried looking at the past memory pages but most photos are understandably of cadets rather than parents.
Any advice would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Most mom's will wear something the equivalent of what you would wear to a formal evening wedding. Very dressy cocktail dress, floor length gown or evening suit. The one hard and fast rule is that you are not going for slinky or sexy here -- understated elegance is the target. It is true that you will see everything though.</p>
<p>Thanks USMA08Mom.</p>
<p>Agreed. And if any girlfriends are going along, the slinky or sexy dresses will just seem out of place - even though you'll see them.</p>
<p>My husband and son wore tuxes, but they were not at all necessary. A dark, business suit would be fine and very appropriate. Then again, I recall something about shogun and a green leisure suit.</p>
<p>Ann, I posted the same question around the All Academies Ball time last year. Go for comfort too. I was so uncomfortable in a sleeveless black beaded velvet thing with a shaw. I fought the shaw 1/2 the evening and was cold the other half. People stepped on the hem of the long gown & I pulled at the thing all night. Lesson learned. Already have a dress for this year's Ball. Or should I say, a tea length skirt & blouse..... Its true that you'll see everything at these affairs but by golly, I'm going for comfort this year & enjoying myself IF we decide to even go. Hope you have such a good time!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I think I have a good idea of what I need. Jamzmom your post really resonated with me. - I hate being cold and uncomfortable. Hmmm, now if only our stores would sell what I need....</p>
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The one hard and fast rule is that you are not going for slinky or sexy here -- understated elegance is the target.
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<p>Can I get an "Amen!" over here, please? </p>
<p>Besides, understated elegance is WAY sexier than slinky anyway. :)</p>
<p>Too bad it's not held in Alaska! Carhart overalls and bunny boots all the way! :)</p>
<p>LOL. Brrr - my blood is too thin for that weather. On the upside, I guess there's no need to worry about being too slinky or sexy in that outfit ;)</p>
<p>I attended the PPW Banquet six years ago and will be attending this year also.</p>
<p>Though the temperature had been brisk in the afternoon, it dropped precipitously in the evening -- as in "freezing winds whipping up the Hudson" cold. I was in a sleeveless dress with only a light wrap. Earlier that weekend we had visited the uniform factory and many of us had bought the black wool parkas that the cadets wear. Well ... I can tell you there were many black wool parkas in evidence that evening over the fancy dresses as we made our way to the hop and later back to our cars. Not exactly a fashion statement, but the moms especially were turning practical at that point. (Most of the dates did NOT, and were shivering in their straplesses). Even though there were busses, there was a lot of walking that evening. It was so cold, many did not want to wait for a bus, so set out on foot. </p>
<p>Also, you will receive Class of 2010 wine glasses to take home from the banquet, so remember to bring some bubble wrap along.This year, I plan to bring my parka, my 2010 bag, with a pair of walking shoes, bubble wrap, and my camera inside. Strange as it sounds now, I have a feeling I will not be alone in this attire!</p>
<p>The green leisure suit worked fine for PPW dinner---no one's looking at us parents anyway :)</p>
<p>He's just too self-effacing because shogun is a very handsome man!
(sorry, I didn't mean to embarass you...)</p>
<p>Kevin and I go to the same thrift stores for our groovy outfits.</p>
<p>Hey,
What did you do with your wine glasses???</p>
<p>We got out with 3 wine glasses. Wife had bubble wrap and a small canvas bag---made it back to California without breaking them----They now sit on what my wife calls "the shrine"---gawd we parents are goofy when it comes to our kids!</p>
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gawd we parents are goofy when it comes to our kids!
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<p>Pride is not goofy. :)</p>
<p>Actually, the number of etched wine glasses in my WP shrine probably is a little goofy. When you add up PPW, Ring Weekend, 100th Night, Graduation and all the All Academy Balls over the four year experience ... that's a LOT of wine glasses. It just seems sacriligeous to get rid of any of them.</p>
<p>I repeat: Pride is NOT goofy! :)</p>
<p>They didn't just give them out at the local Sam's Club, you know. They are mementos of membership in a very select club that you and your kids worked very hard to get into.</p>
<p>West Point gives parents multiple pairs of wine glasses as keepsakes??? Well that makes quite a statement about the WP crowd...;)</p>
<p>Haha, yeah, I guess so ....although I don't remember any WINE actually appearing on the WP banquet tables until Firstie Year. Anyway, the tables are all set with wine glasses at each place, beautifully etched with the class crest and/or motto and/or date of the event. The All Academy Ball glasses are etched with the crest of each of the five Service Academies. At the end of the dinner, an announcement is made that each person is invited to take the wine glass as a keepsake .... welcome words to we Grey Hogs!</p>