Is it acceptable to wear a SHORT formal dress to the marine corps ball?

no, a formal ball requires a formal dress. There are no short formal gowns, only cocktail dresses, which would be unacceptable at a formal occasion.

P.S. Marine Corps. is always capitalized.

ihave beento a numberof Birthday Balls and no one ever wears a short dress - the tea length (to the ankles) is the shortesti've ever seen and it was quite "ballerina" style. i don't think you'dbe comfortable in something that short as it is a formal occasion -old school formal - not somethinglike hollywood :)

since this is your first - here are a couple other hints....

1) make sure your cell phone is off or silent!

2) before you go in for the dinner portion - go to the rest room. once the ceremony starts it is highly improper to get up to use the restroom.

3) if you are prone to sentimentality (i am) be prepared.... there is generally a bagpiper playing amazing grace, the POW/MIA ceremony and the presentation of the oclors. it's quite moving

4) a small table will be set for one person off to the side but in aplace of honour - do NOT sit at the table - there is a glass upside down on the table - don't flipit back up -it's supposed to be that way. (a woman offered me that seat once and i kept politely declining, she was then going tosit and i explained it's ther ein honour of those that can not be with us tonight. the glass is inverted as they can not toast with us tonight - at one ball, someone; who thought they wer being helpful, kept turning the galss upright.)

5) take your camera - it's a wonderful time to get pictures with your Marine!

6) when you hear them barking -it's okay - they do that

7) if your Marine stands during the colors, if you feel compelled that's fine but generally, stay seated

i hope you have a blast and please tell your Marine - happy birthday and thank you from me!!

You may have some wives talking behind your back and you may have some of the other Marines trying to hit on you.

If Im thinking the same "short" your describing I dont think that is considered a formal dress.

as a marine I say "hell yes" if you look GOOD in it.... If your hot that will make the other marines (higher-ups included) look at your date with awe and respect..... If your not all that... don't do that to him... However PC they try to make the military...... deep down the Marine Corps is still a boys club. just a grunts' $.02

Depends on your dates command. Ask him what he thinks. Because it won't be a problem for you, but it will be for him.

I assume you are not the Marine because if you were you would be wearing your dress blues.

how short is short? anything above the knee really isn't appropriate, unless it was obviously cut formally and is of a tasteful style.

put your pinky finger above your knee and lay your hand flat on yourleg, if the skirt doesnt go toyour thumb its too short

of course, 30 minutes into it everyone is going to be so drunk theyre not gonna care anyway.

If it dosn't go above the middle of you thighs i think you should be ok