A debutante ball, sometimes called a coming-out party, is a formal ball that includes presenting debutantes during the social season, usually during the spring or summer. Debutante balls may require prior instruction in social etiquette and appropriate morals. The dress code is white tie and tails for men, and strictly floor-length pure white ball gown for women. Long white gloves^[1] are commonly worn by female^[2] debutantes and are considered a symbol of upper-class femininity.^[3][4][5]

In the United Kingdom, the tradition of debutante balls began under King George III, with Queen Charlotte's Ball in 1780. This ball was discontinued by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976 as part of a modernization of the monarchy. The ball was revived in the 2000s under the patronage of the Duke of Somerset.

In the contemporary United States, the events are sometimes known as debutante cotillion balls and are held for middle schoolers as a chance to teach manners.^[6][7][8] In Brazil, this practice has disappeared in almost every city with the exception of Porto Alegre (capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the most southern state of Brazil). In Porto Alegre 40 to 90 girls from the richest families participate in a debutante ball per year, with some girls participating in more than one debutante ball.^{[citation needed]}