Posted on Oct 6, 2015
What is the suggested attire for a retired servicemember attending an Army ball?
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I have an upcoming Army ball in a few weeks. I have attended many throughout my career, but this is my first as a retiree. Normally it is my dress uniform (as identified in invitation) and a clean shaven face. Now that I am retired I am bearded up and not looking to shave or put my dress blues back on. What is an appropriate attire for a retiree (invitation said semi-formal)? I am looking for a few different suit types (suits are new to me). Also, is there a recommended lapel or something that one should wear or is suit and tie enough?
Military Ball
Retirement
Fashion and Apparel
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 22
You can go with a very nice suit and tie (i would say black, dark blue, or even a grey colored suit would work) or even a tux even though it said semi formal. And since you are retired, perhaps getting all your medals in mini form and wearing them on your lapel.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Semi-Formal is Tux (Black Tie). Formal is White Tie. Confuses A LOT of people.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
MSG (Join to see) The easiest way to think of it is like the "old" uniforms. Service Greens = Business suit (Business Professional). Dress Blues = Tux/Dinner Jacket (Semi-formal). Mess Dress = White Tie (Formal)
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LTC Stephen C.
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS and MSG (Join to see), AR 670-1 now uses these standards. "The male blue mess uniform is not intended for wear as an all-purpose uniform. The male blue mess uniform (black tie and black cummerbund with a traditional turned down collar shirt) is worn for black-tie functions and corresponds to a civilian tuxedo. The blue evening mess uniform (white tie and white vest/waistcoat with a winged collar shirt) is the most formal uniform worn by Army personnel and corresponds to the civilian 'white tie and tails.'”
There is also a white mess uniform and a white evening mess uniform (white jacket and black slacks) and both are worn for the same occasions and in the same style as the blue mess and the blue evening mess uniforms.
The AR does indicate that the ASU may be worn as a dress uniform (with a bow tie), but does not state it to be the equivalent of a civilian tuxedo.
The AR was dated 10APR15, so things may have changed since then, considering how often the Army changes uniforms!
There is also a white mess uniform and a white evening mess uniform (white jacket and black slacks) and both are worn for the same occasions and in the same style as the blue mess and the blue evening mess uniforms.
The AR does indicate that the ASU may be worn as a dress uniform (with a bow tie), but does not state it to be the equivalent of a civilian tuxedo.
The AR was dated 10APR15, so things may have changed since then, considering how often the Army changes uniforms!
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Either your appropriate service uniform, if it fits, or appropriate civilian attire, suit, black tie.
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SGT Kevin Brown - According to Emily Post (the etiquette guru), this is the definition of "semi-formal" dress for men:
•Dark, business suit
•Matching vest (optional)
•Dress shirt
•Tie
•Leather dress shoes and dark dress socks
•Dark, business suit
•Matching vest (optional)
•Dress shirt
•Tie
•Leather dress shoes and dark dress socks
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SSG Robert Webster
I am going to have to agree and support COL Jean (John) F. B. on this one. He went to one of the best if not the best etiquette advisors for this solution.
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If you don't have your miniture medals, you can simply wear your USA Retired Lapel Pin.
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I would wear a nice black suit with a black tie and white shirt. Do you have your Army lapel button still ? The old guard one. I'm not sure if they still give them out when you retire or ETS still. A good Army retired would really get the word across and your Aram veterans pin also.
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Unless you're just thrilled with the idea of putting on the uniform again, I'd go with a nice suit. Navy, black, or charcoal would all be appropriate for the occasion.
If you're new to suits, most people start off with a nice Navy suit. It is the most versatile, as it can be worn to all kinds of events like weddings, funerals, job interviews, formal events, at work, etc. A charcoal suit is almost as versatile. A black suit becomes more limiting with the types of occasions where it can be worn. So if you only want one suit that you can wear to the maximum number of events over the years, I'd go with a navy or a charcoal. Regardless, navy, charcoal and black would all be appropriate for the Army ball. Regarding style, it's really up to you regarding how much flare you want to show. Notch lapels are more conservative, and peak lapels are more fashionable. Solid colors are more conservative, whereas pinstripes and plaids are more fashionable. A single vent in the back is more American, whereas side vents is more of a European look (unvented is not very common).
Transitioning from the uniform to suits was quite a learning experience for me once I retired. I'm rather conservative with the suits that I wear.
If you're new to suits, most people start off with a nice Navy suit. It is the most versatile, as it can be worn to all kinds of events like weddings, funerals, job interviews, formal events, at work, etc. A charcoal suit is almost as versatile. A black suit becomes more limiting with the types of occasions where it can be worn. So if you only want one suit that you can wear to the maximum number of events over the years, I'd go with a navy or a charcoal. Regardless, navy, charcoal and black would all be appropriate for the Army ball. Regarding style, it's really up to you regarding how much flare you want to show. Notch lapels are more conservative, and peak lapels are more fashionable. Solid colors are more conservative, whereas pinstripes and plaids are more fashionable. A single vent in the back is more American, whereas side vents is more of a European look (unvented is not very common).
Transitioning from the uniform to suits was quite a learning experience for me once I retired. I'm rather conservative with the suits that I wear.
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It's a Semi-Formal event aka Black Tie. In theory, as a retiree, you can wear your uniform and meet standards of the uniform OR wear the civilian equivalent which is a dinner jacket (Tuxedo). As it is a military event, you can (optional) wear miniature medals on the lapel.
The Army Uniform Reg should have the placement for them as an appendix.
The Army Uniform Reg should have the placement for them as an appendix.
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I know the Navy we can wear our Dinner Dress Blues or appropriate civilian attire.
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