What do debs want?
At the 34th annual Presentation Ball held a few days after Christmas at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, the debutant fashion verdict was practically unanimous: the fairy princess look, complete with bare shoulders, puffy sleeves and lots of bows.
The 12 young women, most first-year college students, were being presented by the Illinois Club for Catholic Women. The ball is as much a celebration of the volunteer`s spirit as it is a formal introduction to society-all of the debs had earned their right to promenade by helping out at Catholic Charities.
Since gowns like these are hard to come by-especially in white-most of the debs find what they are looking for in bridal shops and spend anywhere from $800 and up.
Most of their dresses had just enough beading to sparkle nicely when one of the many flashbulbs went off-although Brighid O`Shaughnessy opted for a quieter effect.
”This was the second dress I tried on,” said the 18-year-old from Northbrook. ”My mom said, `Try on more! Try on more!` But I liked this one because it wasn`t too elaborate.”
While they assembled for one last group shot before going downstairs to their parents and tuxedoed escorts, the debs were asked what they planned to do with their flowing white gowns after the event.
There was a moment of blank looks. Then 18-year-old Meghan Kevin of Darien spoke up: ”Put `em in the closet.”
Her sister debs nodded in agreement, picked up their silk and satin skirts and rustled away.
