Is it socially acceptable to enhance your uniform for a military ball?

SSG (Join to see) no. I never saw a bow tie. I have seen suspenders (old days of Blues) and socks. The socks were red for Engineers. However, I never saw a regulation that authorized it and I kept on the side of regulation and just wore what was authorized.

Are you in DELTA? They issue a few challenges, but few stupid ones!

Heh-heh, I remember way back when I was in the WI ARNG our training NCO who was a full time SFC thought it would be funny to wear a dress and makeup out in the field to our middle weekend party during two week AT (which I am sure they probably do not have anymore).........it lasted until a sober Senior Officer saw him in the get-up and that was actually the funny part of the whole episode for me......will never forget it.

I simply suggest you attend this one adhering to AR 670-1, observe what is considered the norm, and MAYBE adjust for the next one.
Disregard the overreactions.

Go for it. Its time to see people step up.

Specialist (soon to be Sergeant) White, I hope the one thing you take away from this is, "Seek out your chain of command when things matter." Commanders' have a lot of leeway when they command. If there is something else, it should be, "Take everybody else's advice and comments with a grain of salt." Everyone remembers what they went through in their particular time and the branch they served in. The regulations and customs that my father experienced in the Navy in WWII differed greatly from what I encountered in the Army in the 80s, which differs from what you have now.

Get to know your regulations backwards and forward. Stay on top of changes. I can guarantee this won't be the last time someone says that something is-or-isn't authorized based solely off their prior experience in a different time or branch. When in doubt, err on the side of caution but don't be afraid to correct someone if you are sure about the regs.

And if you really want to look sharp, transfer to the infantry or cavalry. Our uniforms might be second to the Marines, but we are allowed to speak with multi-syllable words and the ladies always seemed to like that.
:-)

(Former 11B and 19D...)

Alterations in uniforms are not generally accepted in those public setting. As has been mentioned by others, the Dining In is quite a different setting and expectation rise to the cause (including button down dress shirts, fake bow tie, colored socks, etc. But Never in a public setting

Bering a Field Artillery Officer- the only acceptable enhancement I've seen on the ASU is as MSG (Join to see) said- Field Artillery wearing red bow tie, socks, suspenders to the St. Barbara's Day event.

The Air Force does a lot more altering of uniforms for Dining Out events- Hawaiian sleeved shirts and other flair.

Are you kidding me I can't believe you asked that question in public forum in my nineteen yrs in the military did I ever go to a military for one we were always in the field and two I really didn't care about going to one. Take pride in that uniform

No because even if your commander says it's ok you don't know who all will be there. Don't risk it