A ball gown is the traditional formal dress worn by many quinceañeras.
The dress is often elaborate, colorful, and designed to give the celebrant a highly formal appearance. Its style can resemble an evening gown or princess-style dress, sometimes with a full skirt, fitted bodice, and decorative details.
The clothing is one of several visible features associated with the celebration, alongside the court, formal entrance, dancing, and reception. It is not a required uniform, however. Families may choose a shorter dress, a contemporary gown, a suit, or another outfit that reflects personal taste and local custom.
The dress can also create confusion with wedding attire. Although both may be formal and may include a large skirt, a quinceañera dress marks a fifteenth birthday rather than a marriage. Color, length, and symbolism differ from family to family.