Debutante
The debutante, an unmarried girl making her debut, her formal introduction into society, is a much anticipated event for a young woman born into a high society family. As a debutante, she is formally introduced to her society network along other debutante women.
As a debutante, she is presented to society with a gala ball with great fanfare. Generally hosted at a posh facility boasting a ballroom, each debutante is formally introduced to the gathering. The debutante walks across the ballroom floor and takes her place with her peer debutante guests. The debutante is photographed throughout the evening in a variety of settings.
Prior to the Debutante Ball, the debutante is photographed in a formal studio setting wearing her long white dress. On the cover of my book you can see a large red bow. My large bouquet of white holly flowers was secured and fell downwards from this red bow. Since the ball was held at Christmas time, it was known as the Holly Ball. It became a tradition starting in 1951 in Hartford, but unfortunately is no longer held. It is also true that many other debutante traditions have disappeared although some like the Veiled Prophet’s Ball in St. Louis is still held. Perhaps this tradition is on its last legs and maybe it is not but there is no question that times and traditions change over the years.
Once a debutante, always a debutante is a guiding factor for the debutante as she takes her rightful place in her parents’ society network. Sisters in society, the debutante has now a built-in network for her future social life. It can be one of the milestones along a traditional path in a traditional life. Some relish the memories of their debutante days forever and some do not think of those days with as much fervor or delight. No matter what, the debutante’s “Coming Out Experience” sets a tone for the debutante as she faces the beginning of her truly adult years.
As a debutante, she carries responsibility for her behavior, especially in formal, public settings as well as in managing life events. Considered now an available, marriageable young society woman, the debutante is expected to continue a high society tradition designed to maintain the high society image. The debutante is now ready to carry on her life and model her life according to the roles which have been presented to her in her parents’ societal world. But as we know, in real life, the debutante’s life doesn’t always follow the expected path.
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