Etiquette for Debutante Balls

The father of each girl makes a contribution which, even though it is usually quite generous, is not nearly as much as he would have had to spend on an individual party.

Mass Debutante Debuts

In a number of cities there are large cotillions or assemblies at which dozens— or even hundreds— of girls make their debuts at the same time. They are usually charity balls and are managed by a committee which makes the regulations about everything from dress to numbers of escorts.

The father of each girl makes a contribution which, even though it is usually quite generous, is not nearly as much as he would have had to spend on an individual party. At most of these affairs, each girl is expected to subscribe for two escorts. Often private dinner parties are given before the ball to honor each girl separately.

Clothes for guests and parents are the same as they would be at any large dance, but there are sometimes limitations put on the costume of the debutante by the committee. They might require all white, for example, rather than leaving it to the girls whether they wear white or pale pastels.

■Invitations

Personal notes from the mother are usually sent when the party is to be a small one, but for anything large or elaborate, the mother and father would probably send engraved invitations jointly.

■Clothes

Even if she has been going to night clubs since she was fifteen, a debutante at her debut should look young and dewy. She often wears white, though pastels are considered correct these days, and the cut of the dress should never be sophisticated or provocative. At an evening debut, she wears a wide-skirted dance dress. At an afternoon debut, she wears a dress something like a short dress for a bridesmaid. She wears– afternoon or evening– gloves and no hat, but she may wear a flower in her hair.

The mother wears, at a tea, an afternoon dress with no hat, but with gloves. For an evening affair, she would wear a formal evening gown with gloves. She never wears black for any kind of debut.

The father and the guests wear clothes that are appropriate for the time of day and the occasion. — From “McCall’s Book of Everyday Etiquette,” 1960

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