Kay's Bridal Boutique

A cotillion or debutante ball is a formal presentation of young ladies, debutantes or ‘debs’, to polite society. Debutantes are usually recommended by a committee or sponsored by a member of elite society.

Typically, the debutante will wear a white gowns and satin gloves.  The Cotillion is the event wherein debutantes stand in a receiving line and introduced individually to the audience. She will curtsy and walk around a stage with her father, who will present her to society.

A younger male escort then joins her and escorts her away. Each debutante brings at least one escort typically he wears  a military uniform or a white jacketed tuxedo. Cotillions are formal affairs.  Included in the event are junior debs, ushers, flower girls and pages. Many times Cotillions are charity events, where the family of the deb will contribute a sum of money to a favorite charity or cause.

Hollywood has shown Cotillions on the big screen, most recently there was a Cotillion shown on That’s So Raven and The Gilmore Girls, and of course the 1958 classic, The Reluctant Debutante, which starred Kay Kendall, Rex Harrison and Sandra Dee.

Kay's Bridal has all your Cotillion/Debutante Ball needs.  We have beautiful white gowns in all sizes for the petite or full sized deb.  We also have charming outfits for junior debs, flower girls, and pages.  We can special order white jacketed tuxedos in all styles by Selix Formals. So contact us today or stop by our boutique in beautiful Castro Valley to start your planning!