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A ball gown is a perfect dress to wear when you want to make a statement. It’s simple but fashionable, and you can choose among the many different styles and designs available. Ball gowns are a favorite of many women worldwide, not only for their beauty but also for how often you can wear them.
Going to a party? Wear a ball gown. Heading off for church? Try a ball gown this week. Need to attend a photoshoot? Why not wear a ball gown? Ball gowns may be named for their use at balls, but you don’t need to attend one to wear them. These leading ball gowns for 2024 will definitely catch your eye.
Top Ball Gown Models Reviewed
Angel-Fashions Women's Prom Dress — Best Overall
With a combination of flamboyance and elegance, this prom dress by Angel-Fashions takes the cake as far as our list is concerned. There are a few reasons why it’s so good, from the design to the available options. You can get this product in a wide range of sizes and in plenty of different colors to choose from, letting you pick a dress that’ll match your jewelry and accessories. This option is also lined with sequins, giving it a beautiful, sparkly finish that’ll dazzle and captivate almost anyone — the attractiveness of the design and the abundance of options helped us choose this product as the best overall on this list.
Pros
- Shiny sequins provide extra luster
- Comes in 10 different colors
- Available in sizes ranging from small to XX-large
Cons
- The cost may be too high for some
Miusol Women's Formal Floral Dress — Perfect for Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids play an essential role at weddings, but that doesn’t mean they always have to stick to tradition. While it’s common for bridesmaids to wear white during the event, it’s not a necessity, and depending on the theme of the wedding, you may want a different color entirely. This set of dresses by Miusol delivers just that — a collection of floral lace dresses fit for bridesmaids. This option is also available in eight different colors, letting you pick something that matches a wedding’s theme or just appeals to your sense of style.
Pros
- Detailed, floral lace that covers the top area of the dress
- Great for themed weddings and events
- Available in dark green, pink, light purple, red and more.
Cons
- No white option available
Muxxn Brief Elegant Dress — Elite Design
Mermaid dresses are unique in the sense that they can be fitted with most attire, but they also flare close towards the bottom. This flare gives the dress a very unique look that’s enchanting and alluring at the same time. Muxxn’s collection of mermaid dresses comes in a few different colors. Made out of the polyester blend, they’re also long-lasting, and the zipper closure allows for easy dressing and undressing. The light-sateen fabric also gives this option a beautiful, premium finish perfect for a formal gown.
Pros
- Made out of polyester and spandex
- Zipper closure allows for easier dressing and undressing
- Made with beautiful sateen fabric
Cons
- Can feel a little too tight in some areas
Wrstore Women's Off Shoulder Dress — Premium Materials
Gold is a classic precious metal, and this dress is full of it. Well, it’s not actual gold — rather, this option is laced from top to bottom with sequins, and the resulting pattern forms a shiny and extravagant design that’s bound to draw some eyes. The dress can be bought in a range of sizes and the sequins used are also premium quality, so you don’t have to worry about them bending or scratching while you wear this product. When it comes to cleaning, the dress is to be dry-cleaned only, so be sure not to throw it in the washing machine.
Pros
- Extravagant gold colors
- An attractive, eye-catching look
- Sizes range from X-Small to XX-Large
Cons
- It may not be ideal to wear in certain situations (like in church)
Ever-Pretty Evening Party Dress — Best for Plus Size
Plus size outfits are still not nearly as easy to find as they should be, but at least there’s this nifty dress to choose from Ever-Pretty. It’s a dress that’s modest and comfortable, perfect for women who just want to feel relaxed and pretty at the same time. One thing worth noting is that this option can be bought in a ton of different colors — they’re all plain colors without gradients or secondary tones, but it’s still a lot of options nonetheless. You also have various sizes to choose from, so there’s almost certainly going to be a size that fits you.
Pros
- 17 colors to choose from
- Modest and simple design
- Available in 9 different sizes
Cons
- Can look a little too plain for some people
Finding Your Next Ball Gown: A Buyer’s Guide
With the right ball gown, you can attend any formal event or occasion in style. This is everything you should know about ball gowns.
What Makes a Dress a “Ball Gown”?
Dresses come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and there are a few definitions of “ball gown”. To some, a ball gown is any dress that you wear at a ball or other formal event. For others, it refers to a dress with a large, voluminous skirt. The second definition is the more technical term, and these are the sorts of dresses that you’d traditionally see at a formal ball.
Times have changed though, and words are often used interchangeably. This is the case with “ball gown”, and indeed, many people refer to any formal dress like a ball gown, especially if it’s worn at a ball. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter very much what a “ball gown” is unless you’re looking for that specific type of dress with a large skirt.
Choosing the Right Ball Gown Length
Dresses can be categorized by length. Three of the most common lengths are mini, midi, and maxi. When it comes to ball gowns, you’re generally looking at midi and maxi dresses, with most dresses belonging to the maxi category. While midi dresses are still a thing with ball gowns, they aren’t always present, and many ball gowns worn today are maxi length.
For those unfamiliar, maxi-length dresses are dresses that reach the ankle area or around that area. These dresses are best for more elegant and refined looks, which is what you want when attending a formal event where a ballgown is worn.
Picking the Right Ball Gown Design
Ballgowns are perfect for showcasing creative fashion design — take a look at the Met Gala and you’ll see what we mean. They offer plenty of room for flair and decoration, and the shape of the dress can also be altered to suit the needs of the wearer. Ballgowns can either be extremely modest or extremely flamboyant, depending on what’s used to decorate the dress.
When choosing the design of your dress, think about where you plan on wearing it. If you intend on wearing the gown at a formal event with many high-profile individuals attending, you may want to stand out with a flashy gown. Alternatively, if you’re attending something more serious, such as a business party or even church service, you’ll need something less revealing and eye-catching.
Tips When Wearing a Ball Gown
Try it out before buying
This may seem like a no-brainer, but a lot of people seem to think that they can get a good idea of how well a dress fits without actually wearing it. Even though it may look good on you in your head, actually wearing it is another matter entirely. So if you can help it, try the dress on before making a purchase.
Of course, if you’re buying the dress online, it’s a different matter entirely. Since you can’t wear the dress until you actually buy it, take a look at some reviews to see if there’s anything worth noting (such as the dress being tight in certain areas). You can also buy a dress from a brand that you already own — that way all you have to do is pick the same size and you’re basically good to go.
Know where you’re wearing the dress
If you plan on taking a dress outdoors, consider going for a relatively short option so that you don’t get the bottom of the skirt dirty. Alternatively, you can go for a longer skirt if you’re only wearing it indoors. Knowing is half the battle, and you should definitely pick your dress based on where you intend to wear it.
