Wiktionary
n. Alternative form of '''ballgown'''.
WordNet
n. the most formal gown; worn to a ball
Wikipedia
A ball gown is the most formal female attire for social occasions (such as white tie). It is traditionally a full-skirted gown reaching the floor, made of luxurious fabric, delicately and exotically trimmed. Most versions are cut off the shoulder with decollete necklines. Such gowns are typically worn with a stole (a formal shawl in expensive fabric), cape or cloak in lieu of a coat, "good" (couture or vintage) jewellery and opera-length gloves. Standard accessories are dancing shoes and a clutch style evening bag. Where " state decorations" are to be worn, they are on a bow pinned to the chest, and married women wear a tiara if they have one. The ball gown shape has changed little since the mid-19th century. Although artificial fabrics are now sometimes used, the most common fabrics are satin, silk, taffeta and velvet with trimmings of lace, pearls, sequins, embroidery, ruffles and ruching.
Usage examples of "ball gown".
The silk of her turquoise ball gown had been chosen to match her eyes.
Kyle, when a woman goes to the Harvest Offering in her first ball gown, it is more than an extra length of cloth to her skirts.
He bent his head and dropped a heated kiss on the top of her breast, which was exposed by the low neckline of her ball gown.
He had seen enough of her in her modest ball gown to know that her breasts would be shaped like small, ripe, exotic fruit, perfectly suited to his palm and to his mouth.
But the hills, they bleed into Loch Chon, with trees so thick they look like the sweep of a ladys ball gown, all purple and green and gold.
I am loathe to say that she quite lost interest in the subject when a new ball gown arrived from Madame Flauquet.
I am loath to say that she quite lost interest in the subject when a new ball gown arrived from Madame Flauquet.
A blue silk ball gown, embroidered with golden flowers around the low neckline and in twined lines down the full skirt.