Dearest gentle reader, it is with great delight that I announce we have formally moved into ball season at university. At the moment, when you go on social media you are almost guaranteed to see your feed flooded with images of your friends and course mates dressed to the nines, posing in various major venues over the city. There’s nothing I love more in life than a reason to tear up the dance floor and put on a nice outfit, so here is your comprehensive guide to attending balls at university.
All societies and balls offer different events over the course of March, from reeling and ceilidhs, to raffles and games. Make sure to check the specifics of the event you’re attending as different occasions can call for different preparations…. mostly, in the form of footwear. Personally, I am a seasoned high-heel wearer and feel confident walking and dancing throughout the entirety of the evening. However, I am also not foolish and footwear is definitely not something to be messed around with. If attending a ceilidh, ALWAYS pack a spare change of shoes if you’re in heels. I have been at countless events where friends’ heels have snapped, toes have been massacred in accidents, and ultimately fun is missed out on. Ballet flats, boots, and Doc Martens are all excellent and practical options that mean you are ready for all activities the evening may have to offer.
Now, whilst I love any excuse to buy new clothes, there are so many other ways to find outfits for more formal occasions. Chances are you probably own an outfit in your wardrobe that’s already suitable for the event, if not, friends clothes are always reliable sources for outfits. There is truly a high likelihood that there is a plethora of dresses, suits and skirts waiting to be invaded. A new option emerging on the scene, is apps or businesses, like John Lewis, that allow you to rent out clothes for the evening. This means you can wear a new look, without the large price tag making a dent in your bank account.
Some final pieces of sage advice I can offer as your fairy godmother for the evening include: make sure to definitely eat – and pre if that’s your thing – as once inside venues, drinks and snacks may be provided but not guaranteed. However, this is not the case at the Media Ball where tasty burgers, chips, and a drink on arrival are promised. Make sure you have plenty of phone storage left for the inevitable thousands of photos you are going to take. Finally, if you’re not packing practical footwear, do yourself a favour, and pay for an uber home to save your feet from carnage the next day!
The Media Ball promises to be one of the best nights of the year, bringing together: The Student, FilmSoc, FreshAir, PublishEd and EUTV on Monday 23rd March. The evening will be full of live music, DJ sets, raffles, and food from Bandit’s Burgers. Tickets are selling out quickly, with less than a quarter remaining, so make sure to get one quick before the big event as you don’t want to miss out!
Image by Matthew LeJune on Unsplash