Debutante facts for kids

Debutantes

Ball in colonial Chile by Pedro Subercaseaux. In Spain's American colonies, the upper classes were Europeans and American-born Spaniards (Crillos). They were heavily influenced by European trends.

A debutante is a young woman who is first introduced into society. In former times, these young ladies would be part of nobility, or the upper class. Originally, the term meant the young person was now old enough to be married. The purpose of the coming out was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families. The term comes from French, and can be translated as "beginner".

In those days, a young lady of quality could not meet anyone unless they were introduced to her. This introduction could happen at an event (such as a ball) which was part of the 'season'. In Britain there was a formal presentation of the debutants to the monarch at Court (abolished by the present queen). According to the peerage guide Debrett's, the traditional social season runs from April to August.

Images for kids

• 

  Debutantes at the Chrysanthemum Ball in Munich (2012)

• 

  Some attendees of the 2013 Vienna Opera Ball

• 

  Young women making their debut accompanied by the younger attendants in Queensland (1948)

• 

  An 1890s-era débutante gown

• 

  58th International Debutante Ball, 2012, New York City (Waldorf-Astoria Hotel)