While I get that the Yule Ball is a good way to promote friendships between schools and such, it's also a good way to bring anxiety and stress upon the student body. And I'm not just talking about trying to ask someone on a date to it either! (Though, if you see a certain Lioness from their Quidditch team - hands off, she's mine thank-you very much.) Ahem... Anyway! The lead up to the Yule Ball with getting dress robes and dresses can be very anxiety inducing as well! Then, of course, there is the makeup, the jewelry, the hair, should you get your date a flower or something... It's enough to throw your hands in the air and offer to just sneak into one another's Common Room to spend the evening together relaxing in front of the fireplace. (Incidentally... Yes, Professor Snape knows about several of those instances happening already. He's not happy, but that's just par for the course this year.)
Anyway! Before I get even more off track as I debate ideas, I did manage to stalk come across one of the best-dressed Snakes around! Everyone, fashion-guru and your help to all things Yule Ball: Daphne Greengrass!
Dear Advice Person,
I never know who's going to be here, so hi to whoever answers this. I need help. I'm taking my girlfriend to the Yule Ball and she told me that we have to be in complementary colours so that we make an impression. What is a complementary colour and why is it that important? She's explicitly stated her dress is a colour called... thistle? I'd be good with my red robes, right?
What's Complementary?
Red Does NOT Go With Thistle!,
Oh dear Salazar. Your girlfriend either needs to sit you down for a long talk, or dump you. Firstly, complementary colours are two colours on the opposite sides of the colour wheel that, when used together, make each other pop. That is the impression that she is also wanting, by the way. It's grabbing other people's attention for them to say "those two look good together". The colours complement each other. Now, the colour thistle is a light purple colour. Which red DOES NOT COMPLEMENT!! You'll want to use a light blue/green colour. I, personally, recommend getting new robes in the colour called "sea mist". That would be the perfect complimentary colour for thistle.
Daphne Greengrass
Dear SOUP,
What do you think my chances are for scoring a date? Like, do I actually have to ask someone before, or do you think I can do it the day of with no problem?
Waiting for a Date
Lazy and Useless,
You are more hopeless and pathetic then flobberworms. None. Your chances are none. Nothing. You'll be going to the Yule Ball by yourself, and you will have fully deserved it. Yes, you need to ask someone, bare minimum, a week before the ball. This is to ensure that not only will your date have the time to put together an outfit, but to make sure that your date isn't already going with someone. Wait until the day of to ask? I can tell just by that attitude that you're more than likely failing your classes because you don't hand your homework in on time.
Daphne Greengrass
Dear Draco,
Hey, it worked for the last person, so here's hoping? Sorry if you aren't Draco though. Anyway! This is my first Yule Ball and I don't know what kind of dances or music there will be. Do I need to learn anything specific? Should I expect the boring, classical music? Am I going to have to dance with more people then just my date? I'm going to fail horribly at this, aren't I?
Panicking Over Dancing
Breathe and Relax,
While I don't think you need to learn any specific dances, you should at least know the basic ballroom dances: Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, and Swing. Even if all you know is the basic steps to these five, you will be fine for the Yule Ball. There is usually an orchestral portion, where ballroom dances are done, and then something that is a little more... age appropriate. So expect either The Weird Sisters or Celestina Warbeck to appear after the orchestra and then you can dance however you normally dance to them. For dancing with others, one never knows until the night of. You might have some admirers that ask for a dance, or you might dance in a group of people. However, you will not fail horribly because all it takes is confidence in yourself that you can do it.
Daphne Greengrass
Huh... You know, I think this is the first time I got handed back answers without any threats. I'm going to need to ask Daphne to answer your questions more often! Wait... What's this? -reads off the last page- Wear the sea green bouffant dress, paired with the pumps in the same colour... -trails off- Seriously Daphne? No. Not happening. If I can't convince her to skip the Yule Ball altogether, I'll be wearing the dress that she likes and that's my style. If I'm going to get fashion advice... Maybe I'll see who else I can threaten is willing to answer owls. See y'all!