We Enjoy Our Military Ball Customers

One of the attractions for ETC boutique when we decided to open a formal wear store in Manhattan Town Center in Manhattan, Kansas, was the proximity to Fort Riley and the opportunity to work with more customers looking for formal dresses for military balls.

Military balls can be large or small, depending upon whether it's a unit, a brigade, a detachment, etc. Either way, it's an opportunity for couples to dress up and enjoy an evening with friends and co-workers, away from the stresses of family and jobs. Oftentimes, the balls are planned on rather short notice as units schedule a ball before a deployment or shortly after returning from a deployment.
This leaves the women, be they the wife of a soldier or a soldier, searching for a dress that can reflect her personality, will be unique and can arrive quickly. Fortunately, ETC boutique works with many providers who can supply us a dress in four or five days, and alternations are done in-house, so they can be completed quickly as well.
That leaves the decision of what style of dress to wear. Some women choose to go all out with a full ball gown that allows them to make a sweeping entrance into the ball. Others choose a more simple yet elegant look that can match the husband's dress uniform. Of course, some of the women searching for a dress are soldiers themselves, and they enjoy the opportunity to stand out away from their dress uniform.
If you are in need of a formal dress for an upcoming military ball, visit ETC boutique to see the latest styles and find a dress that matches your personality. You'll enjoy our friendly service and quick response to your needs.

Homecoming Trends in Formal Dresses

If you want to spice up your homecoming this fall, why not try one of the latest fashion trends in formal dresses for fall.

Floral Prints

Floral prints started appearing for prom dresses last spring, and we had just a few girls in Manhattan who were bold enough to put on a bold floral print for their prom. This fall the trend has carried over into short homecoming dresses. 

Typically the floral print is featured in the skirt, topped by a bejewelled top, but sometimes it's reversed with the floral accenting the top and a solid-colored skirt.

Two-piece Dresses

The two-piece dress made its debut for prom dresses a few years ago, but didn't really catch on with our Kansas girls until this past prom season. Then it caught on in a big way with nearly every other girl asking about two-piece prom dresses. We seldom kept a two-piece dress in our Manhattan store window for more than a day or two before some girl snatched it up for herself. 

We're expecting more of the same this homecoming season as our providers offer a huge variety of short dresses in two pieces. Girls can choose from a full skirt or a fitted style, depending upon her tastes. 

Intricate Beadwork

Intricately patterned beadwork is another feature that has carried over from prom dresses into homecoming dresses this year. Many companies are using this beading that looks like something that would appear on a royal outfit, but now it can be a detail on your homecoming dress. Carrying the beading from the bodice to the hem of the skirt adds even more appeal. 

At ETC boutique in Manhattan Town Center, we'd love to work with you to decide exactly which features you would like in your homecoming dress, or dress for any formal occasion. 

Fashion Thoughts on Homecoming

With the school year getting back into swing here in Kansas, our thoughts begin to turn to homecoming. While each school seems to handle homecoming a little differently, we try to think about the statement each young lady or young man wants to make during their homecoming.

Age Differential 

Younger ladies – freshmen and sophomores – see homecoming as their first chance to shine at an "adult" high school dance. They are more excited about the opportunity to shop for an adult dress and like the bling. On the other hand, mom and dad sometimes struggle with seeing their little girl growing up and like to influence them toward a more conservative look.
We did hear a few complaints from older high-schoolers last year that underclass ladies were opting for long dresses, in essense turning homecoming into their own little prom.
Juniors and seniors tend to be more focused on prom dresses and treat homecoming as more of an obligation. They will go to make an appearance with their boyfriend, but aren't too concerned with getting the perfect dress to make just the right look for homecoming.

Court of Honor

The exception to that would be the ladies and gentlemen selected to serve as queen and king candidates for their schools. Knowing they will be paraded onto the field in front of their parents and entire community, these candidates look for a little more elegance

What About the Guys?

Young men shoot for that in-between look for homecoming, for the most part. Not so casual as their everyday wear, but also not often do they choose the full tux option. Generally, bow ties and skinny ties are popular choices to pair with dress slacks and shirt. Adding a pair of suspenders or opting for a brightly colored shirt makes for a fun statement.
What look do you or your sons and daughters strive for at homecoming? Leave us a comment. Next blog we'll talk about some style trends we see this year.