About Debutante Balls
Debutante balls are formal, grand occasions for women ages 16 to 18. Rooted in a deep history of social class and pageantry, a debutante ball is a formal introduction of a young girl into society. Whether your daughter plans her debut at the famous Crillion ball in Paris or at an intimate sorority cotillion in Atlanta, a debutante ball is a special ceremony that both of you will cherish forever.
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History
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The debutante ball is European in origin. In fact, the word "debutante" is derived from the French word "debuter," which means, "to lead off." In the English court of St. James, the parents of young and affluent girls were looking to join the girls in marriage to men of comparable social standing and pedigree. During the court's season of April through July, many parties were held among the upper-class royals. The emerging, yet extremely wealthy, middle class soon sought sponsors to present their daughters to this group of entitled bachelors and their families. The first party of the season involved the presentation of these women to the Queen. The bow to the Queen is now referred to as the St. James bow, and is the highlight of the debutante balls of today. According to Wikipedia, Queen Elizabeth II abolished the formal presentation of debutantes to the court in 1958.
Significance
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The original purpose of a public debut was to announce a young girl's eligibility for marriage. Debutante balls are also known as "coming-out-parties," cotillions and debuts. The debutantes wear white formal ball gowns and pearls. Modern debutante balls are now invitation-only charity and social events in which the debs must raise monies for an organization through contests, program-book advertising and ticket sales. Traditionally, debutante balls are held during the months of November and January.
Geography
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Debutante balls are popular in the South, but are held in every major city in the United States. In 17th-century America, early colonists had small, informal parties called "dancing assemblies." 21st-century American debutantes are now selected by a committee of elite women or sponsored by their parents for a formal debut. In Latin American countries, the "Quinceanera" ceremony, "Baile de Debutante" and the "Fiesta de Quince" have similar symbolic connotations to the debutante ball. In the Philippines, a debutante ball is held on a young woman's 18th birthday. The families of upper-class Filipina women spend thousands of dollars on gifts (18 of them), dancing and other amenities for the party guests during the elaborate ceremony.
Considerations
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American debutante balls are important occasions to country-club members and upper-middle-class professional families. Formal cotillions in many countries feature complementary groups of ushers, flower girls and junior debutantes. Based upon the organization and its rules of decorum, gloves, couture gowns and a string of pearls may be required dress at debutante balls. Guests are also required to wear formal dress and purchase tickets that can cost $250 or more to attend the ball.
Expert Insight
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Modern debutante balls require a minimum of 6 months of preparation and thousands of dollars in expenses. Debutantes and their escorts are required to learn formal dancing techniques and etiquette, and to don formal attire for their presentation to society.
American high-school proms were created by middle-class parents in the mid-to-late 1800s to mimic the grandeur and formal dress of upscale and royally pedigreed aristocrats and their daughters at debutante balls.
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- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons/Dalidada
