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All That Glitters
The Honor of Your Company:
Inaugural Ball Gowns
Inaugurations of political leaders are generally
accompanied by formal celebrations. Often gowns worn to the inaugural
balls receive more attention than the elected leader.
Smoke-Blue Silk, 1865
This gown was worn to President Abraham Lincoln's inaugural ball held
after his re-election. Margaret Usher attended the ball with her husband
John, who was Secretary of the Interior. The Ushers eventually settled
in Lawrence, Kansas.
Three pieces make up this gown--a bodice, skirt and short jacket. All
are of greenish-gray silk taffeta, and trimmed with blue velvet, plush
fringe, and gold-colored silk balls. The jacket is trimmed with velvet
epaulettes, in keeping with the gown's Civil War-era origins.
This ball gown also is featured on the Cool
Things page, including
views of the back and bodice.
Peach Chiffon, 1929
Minnie Hart Reed wore this gown to celebrate her husband's inauguration.
Clyde Reed became Kansas' 24th governor in 1929. He and Minnie had been
married for 38 years.
The low waist on this peach-colored chiffon dress dips in front and
back. It is trimmed with rhinestones, sequins, and silver-toned glass
beads in leaf designs and what appear to be cattails. The skirt is made
up of several layers of chiffon of uneven lengths.
Gold Lace & Lamé, 1933
Theo Cobb Landon wore this dress and matching shoes to the inauguration
of her husband, Alf, as Kansas' 26th governor. The year was 1933, and
Theo was in her mid-30s.
Mrs. Landon's gown of gold-colored lamé and lace is decorated
at the shoulders on front, and cascading down the back neckline, with
red and orange velvet floral ornaments. Beaded bands encircle the gown
just below the bust and again at hips. The lamé train has a wristband,
making it easier to carry.
Lavender Crepe, 1947
Alice Carlson wore this lavender gown ornamented with gold beads to
her husband's inauguration in 1947. Frank Carlson became Kansas' 30th
governor.
Made of pale lavender crepe, the dress has strong classical features,
including its diagonal surplice front. Gold braid, beads, and sequins
decorate the dress in the shape of bands and medallions.
White Net, 1957
Formal dresses in the 1950s were often strapless, with full skirts.
Virginia Docking wore this very typical gown to the inauguration of
her husband, George, as the 35th governor of Kansas in 1957.
The bodice of Mrs. Docking's gown is entirely covered in tucked white
net. The full, bell-shaped skirt is ankle-length and decorated with
opalescent sequins. There are two net overskirts.
Red Sequins, 1984
A more recent example of an inaugural ball gown is this sequined dress,
worn by Karen Bigsby Hurley Carlin to the 1984 inauguration of her then-husband,
John Carlin. He became the 40th governor of Kansas.
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