Get May Ball ready with Farthings

As the sun sets on another academic year, Cambridge begins to sparkle with anticipation.

You can find the Cambridge May Balls 2025 dates here: https://www.mayball.info/

The May Balls are coming — those iconic, once-in-a-lifetime evenings that turn our city into a dreamscape of music, champagne, dancing, and elegance under the stars.

Whether it's your first May Ball or your final farewell to university life, you want to feel your best.

At Farthings, we’re here to help you step into the night with confidence, knowing your outfit is immaculate, your look is sharp, and the little things are taken care of.

Here’s how we can help you prepare, stress-free:

1. Your outfit, perfectly prepared

Silk gowns. Velvet jackets. Beaded dresses. Tailored tuxes. These aren’t just clothes — they are statements. Whether you’re wearing something new, something vintage, or something meaningful, it deserves to look its best.

Don’t leave your outfit until the last minute if it needs cleaning. The sooner we have it, the more time we have to treat any stains, lift marks gently, and give your garment the care it deserves. Delicate fabrics often need more than one clean — and we’d rather do it right than rush it.

So if it’s sitting in your wardrobe waiting for attention, bring it in now. We’ll take it from there.

2. White shirt = first impression

The humble dress shirt often gets overlooked — until it’s under the lights, in the photos, or on the dancefloor. And nothing ruins the look like faint yellowing, collar grime, or that dusty off-white that creeps in after a few months in storage.

If it’s been tucked away since your last formal, bring it in at least 3–4 days before the Ball. We’ll return it pressed, crisp, and ready for compliments.

3. Post-ball mishaps? We have seen it all!

Let’s be honest — May Balls can get messy. If your night ends with a bit more drama than you planned (hello, dodgy prawns or too much punch), and your outfit bears the brunt of it — don’t panic.

Here’s what helps us help you:

• Dab (don’t rub) the area with warm non-bio detergent for black or colour – or bio detergent for white garments.

• Let it air dry fully.

• Bring it in as soon as possible.

This makes cleaning faster, easier, and more effective — and saves us from having to refuse items that are too fresh to treat safely. We don’t like saying no. You don’t like being turned away. Let’s avoid both.

Ready for the BIG NIGHT? So Are We.

Whether you’re dancing until dawn, sipping champagne by the river, or watching fireworks light up the sky — May Balls are a memory in the making. We are here to make sure your outfit is ready for every photo, every hug, and every moment.

Pop into Farthings today and let us take care of the details. Because when you look good, you feel good — and confidence is always in fashion.

Visit us at:

📍 Farthings Cambridge – 143 Milton Road | ☎ 01223 755180

📍 Farthings Trumpington – 1 Anstey Way | ☎ 01223 625310

🕒 Opening hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | Saturday 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Article written by

Vicki Wilson (Shop manager and clothing enthusiast)