Dressing for dinner

[hawt1]

No jacket and you will be in the minority on an 11 day cruise (anywhere from 10-30% without jackets in the dining room in our experience) but not "stick out like a sore thumb". After dinner the "compliance" will continue to drop off in the casino and the lounges, especially the disco.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. I already suspect that we and our friends will be in the minority based on age and each of our families taking our children out of school for two weeks to do this cruise!

[hawt1]

The formal nights they usually do say in the daily to please not remove the jacket in the dining room.

It seems to me you are over thinking this. If you are warm in the casino (possible with lots of people) or theater (not likely, it is usually cold) and take the jacket off and put it over your chair for comforts sake, then put it back on as you leave that area seems to me you are observing the spirit of the dress code.

I never understand why this usually comes up with guys. It's just a jacket and slacks. Women have to deal with dresses or pants suits, usually heels, sometimes hose, then evening bags, earrings etc, and we just do it. No big deal.:) And this is Informal, not even Formal!

 

 

Thanks for your input. DW loves to dress up and does it very well. I do so for work every day. Doing so again for 6 of 11 nights seems a tad bit like work to me again especially when I could throw on a crisp dress shirt and nice dress pants and look very good (IMHO).

 

Probably shoudl ensure I have my jacket if going to theatre so I can put on DW's shoulders if she gets cold.

 

Thanks.

[amagar]

Jacket v. No jacket

 

As Celebrity's menus have been stuck in another era, so too has its dress code IMHO! My guess is that the dress code will be modified along with the menus. Biz casual all nights except formal.

 

This only makes sense. Jackets are no longer required for most of the best dining establishments on land. Celebrity's jacket rule (just as it's rule allowing smoking) is a throw back to generations gone by. Don't get me wrong, if you want to wear a jacket, applause. But many under 40 professionals don't even own jackets. A suit for special occassions, yes. But not a sport jacket. There is no need in an increasingly casual society.

 

Don't flame -- I'm not promoting flip flops and halters in the dining room. But trousers and an appropriate dress shirt should suffice.

[claud925]

There is no need in an increasingly casual society.

 

And therein lies the problem . . .

 

You may be more comfortable on another, more casual, cruiseline.

[hawt1]

And therein lies the problem . . .

 

You may be more comfortable on another, more casual, cruiseline.

 

I have to agree with the poster that you quoted as to the demographics of Celebrity going forward. I have 8 suits in my closet but NO sports coats or separate jackets which have a slightly different look to them than suit jackets. (You can typically spot a person who is wearing a suit jacket with pants that are not part of the original suit.)

 

I also have about 10 very nice dress shirts that go well with nice dress pants and create a professional outfit that works well in most business casual functions.

 

It is the in between part that I and those in my age group would likely have the biggest problem adhering to: I will likely bring along two of my dark suits for formal nights (there will be three on the cruise) and I will bring along several patterned dress shirts to go with other dress pants but I do not have the proverbial sports coat in my wardrobe (elbow patch or not) to put over this outfit for the walk down to the dining room where many of the other guests will likely immediately remove theirs and throw them over their chair back.

 

As the poster above said, they are not talking about jeans and flip flops and halter tops in the dining room, they were just relating what the wardrobe of the many 40's executive looks like and it tends to not include the sports coat. If that means we are relegated to Carnival, then so be it but I think that Celebrity is more likely our style and the sports coat people on Celebrity are the ones that we would love to sit and chat with and ultimately learn much from each other.

[claud925]

the sports coat people on Celebrity are the ones that we would love to sit and chat with

 

Exactly. So would I. So acquire a sports coat and become one yourself.:)

 

All kidding aside - I hear you. We ladies also are in the same "boat", so to speak. Gowns for formal, pantsuits for informal, slacks w/ top for casual . . .

 

You men just need to bring along the one sports coat, along with your suit. Or better yet - you get to rent a tux, where it's there waiting for you when you embark, then just leave behind when you're done!

[Drew B]

I have to agree with the poster that you quoted as to the demographics of Celebrity going forward. I have 8 suits in my closet but NO sports coats or separate jackets which have a slightly different look to them than suit jackets. (You can typically spot a person who is wearing a suit jacket with pants that are not part of the original suit.)

 

 

I couldn't disagree more. I'm 38. I have pretty much no need in my real life for a suit, EVER. I still wear the one I got when I was 18 if a need ever arises. On the other hand, I wear sport coat's often, even with extremely casual outfits. Guys younger than me do, too. Look around a Target, even, and you will see extremely un-fancy, unstructured, lightweight sport coats (by Mossimo, for example) for under $50. Yes, they're a bit more rumpled than is probably intended for Informal night, but they would technically fit the bill.

[NorCalCruiseGuy]

The Celebrity website says "requested" and not required as you have noted.

How out of place would I be if I wore good dress slacks and a nice dress shirt...not a polo shirt, etc, but had not jacket.

 

So a step up from what has been described as casual but just no jacket as described here.

 

Thanks.

 

From my experience, most gentlemen follow the "requested", "required", "suggested" attire and wear a jacket. However, it is pretty common to see a jacket with a polo shirt, silk t-shirt, turtleneck, or dress shirt without a tie.

[travelinglion]

And how many little black dress are you ladies bringing? Oh...wait...I'll have to buy a new pair of shoes for each......

 

Here is my two cents worth. I understand that vacations are vacations and something different from the everyday world most of us live in. If I had to wear a suit every day (men that is), I understand why you wouldn't want to go on vacation just to put that suit on again. If I lived in a casual environment and seldom if ever dressed up, it would be nice to give it a try. Vacations are for doing something different. If we weren't looking for a break from our real world, we would just stay home.

 

I get to wear my little black dress once a year, at my office xmas party. I'm missing the party this year because I'll be on vacation, so I guess it's appropriate to take a day to dress up. As for the long dress stuff.....the only long dress I have that doesn't belong to my daughters is my wedding dress. Guys, I can guarantee you that a long evening gown and everything that goes with it will cost much more than that sport coat and that sport coat will certainly be taken out of the closet alot more than that one long dress.

 

Everyone - I hope you enjoy your vacation and it is all that you want it to be.

 

travelinglion

[drrich2]

One thing to consider is comfort level. I'm a large, chunky guy & I like it chilly. Over the years I've noticed that large numbers of lean women like it warm. This has led to some interesting work place face-offs (including wrestling with the thermostat with a pregnant female coworker). Nowadays I've got fans at work to help accomodate the 'temperature preference differential.'

 

Now consider that women at formals are often wearing dresses, no coat, & may expose substantial amounts of back &/or chest, some of these women are lean, and women overall seem to prefer warmer temp.s.

 

Pretty safe bet that jacket is going over the back of the chair.

 

Dripping or wiping at sweat isn't particularly 'styling' either, after all!

 

Richard.

[scgirl816]

Vacations are for doing something different. If we weren't looking for a break from our real world, we would just stay home.

 

....and that sport coat will certainly be taken out of the closet alot more than that one long dress.

 

 

travelinglion

 

 

Hear hear! I am a stay at home mom. Believe me when I say I seldom get to dress up! For what? It's not like we have fancy places to go on dates. Dinner and a movie is about all I get once every 3 months or so. I have dressier clothes that I wear to church, but moreso casual dressy. I want to dress up!!!

 

Not to mention guys...we have that one long dress, and if you other ladies are at all like me, you don't want to wear it over and over again! There is a difference in a woman's formal gown (no way to change it up save different jewelry) and a guy's sports jacket, under which you can wear different colored shirts, different ties, etc, etc...fun! I do hear you not wanting to dress up when you always do for work though. Fortunately for me, my dh likes it! :)

 

I am so excited about dressing up that today, 2.5 months before the cruise, I took BOTH of my kids (3 and 3 months) to the mall and shopped for most of the day for a new dress. Nuts? Probably. But I want to look GOOD on a day when I can be assured that I won't have jelly smeared across my leg or spit up on my shoulder!

[travelinglion]

Think about all those women you can meet by offering them your jacket...LOL

[scgirl816]

Maybe you ladies could help me out...

 

On the formal night, it's mostly long dresses? I found one today that I adore, and dh said I can have it if I will pay for it (stay at home mom, remember? So I have to get creative! LOL). I already bought a semi formal dress today.

 

Here are my questions...

 

Semi formal...would that be a cocktail dress? The one I bought is knee length, spaghetti straps, and wine colored...with some rhinestones...too dressy? My other semi formal is a halter top, fuschia, with a satin sash.

 

Formal...I think that the one I found would be perfect, but my best friend thinks otherwise...give me your opinion! Last year we both wore floor length black formal gowns with wraps. This dress is red (I am partial to red, I know!), floor length, very dressy, straight but flowy, halter with v neck. She thinks black is dressier and that not many women will be wearing other colors because the men will be in tuxes and dark suits. Thoughts?

[travelinglion]

I remember those days of food and spit-up. Glad you get to do something different on your vacation. As for shopping 2 1/2 months ahead of time....you know it's never too soon for some serious clothes shopping. I am going on a 14 night cruise, so I have 3 formal nights to worry about.

Have fun.

[travelinglion]

I say wear what you feel prettiest in. If you love it, go with it.

 

Now as for paying for it.....stay at home moms have been negotiating with their husbands for years.....be creative and start buying off-brand foods.

[Drew B]

[quote name='scgirl816']Formal...I think that the one I found would be perfect, but my best friend thinks otherwise...give me your opinion! Last year we both wore floor length black formal gowns with wraps. This dress is red (I am partial to red, I know!), floor length, very dressy, straight but flowy, halter with v neck. [B]She thinks black is dressier and that not many women will be wearing other colors because the men will be in tuxes and dark suits. [/B]Thoughts?[/quote]


I'm not a lady, but personally, I think that there are FAR TOO MANY women in black dresses. I find it incredibly unoriginal -- servicable but not exciting. And the fact that the men are in tuxes and dark suits is all the more reason for you to wear a color that "pops" in front of their tuxes and dark suits! Wear the red...

[scgirl816]

[quote name='Drew B']I'm not a lady, but personally, I think that there are FAR TOO MANY women in black dresses. I find it incredibly unoriginal -- servicable but not exciting. And the fact that the men are in tuxes and dark suits is all the more reason for you to wear a color that "pops" in front of their tuxes and dark suits! Wear the red...[/quote]


Awww, thank you!!!

And guess what?! I just sold a piece of furniture that we've been trying to get rid of for a while...going to buy my RED dress tomorrow! Woohooo!!!

[tuggers]

[FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][COLOR=darkorchid][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][COLOR=#9932cc]For whoever said their lady liked to dress up and did it well but he wouldn't wear a sport coat, don't you think you need to dress to compliment each other? I see a lady in a nice semi-formal outfit with a guy in a shirt and tie - looks like he just didn't care enough to honor her effort...[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][COLOR=#9932cc][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][COLOR=#9932cc]There are all sorts of outlets (Jos A Banks comes to mind) and less expensive mens stores (Mens Warehouse is one) where a proper sport coat or blazer can be purchased at a reasonable price. And will probably be worn quite a lot.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][COLOR=#9932cc][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][COLOR=#9932cc]I probably have a dozen or more formal dresses and outfits and no, they are not all black. Some are, some are brighter colors. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[evoni]

[quote name='scgirl816']Awww, thank you!!!

And guess what?! I just sold a piece of furniture that we've been trying to get rid of for a while...going to buy my RED dress tomorrow! Woohooo!!![/QUOTE]

Enjoy your new red dress. :) I've seen plenty of colorful dresses on formal night, it's perfectly appropriate.

Diana

[scgirl816]

Okay, wait! I forgot another important question, ladies!

Do you think it's a big deal if my formal dress is red, one semiformal dress is a deep red, and one semiformal dress is a bright pink? Is that too alike?

[shofer]

[quote name='tuggers'][FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][COLOR=darkorchid][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][COLOR=#9932cc]There are all sorts of outlets (Jos A Banks comes to mind) and less expensive mens stores (Mens Warehouse is one) where a proper sport coat or blazer can be purchased at a reasonable price. And will probably be worn quite a lot.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][COLOR=#9932cc][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

J.C. Penney is another good source for good looking, not too expensive suits and sports coats. Laugh if you will, but Consumer Reports gave their suits a very good rating.

On informal night, my DH will eschew the tie and wear the sport coat w/a silk turtleneck. Never been turned away from the dining room. On formal nights, I have seen women in Sunday-go-to-meeting dresses and others in gowns they could wear being presented to the Queen. I think just about anything goes and it is nice as a woman to have the variety to choose from!

The best pre dinner drinks we have are in the Rendeavous Lounge watching everyone line up for pictures. What a fashion show!

[DC2OC]

[quote name='drrich2']One thing to consider is comfort level. I'm a large, chunky guy & I like it chilly. Over the years I've noticed that large numbers of lean women like it warm. This has led to some interesting work place face-offs (including wrestling with the thermostat with a pregnant female coworker). Nowadays I've got fans at work to help accomodate the 'temperature preference differential.'

Now consider that women at formals are often wearing dresses, no coat, & may expose substantial amounts of back &/or chest, some of these women are lean, and women overall seem to prefer warmer temp.s.

Pretty safe bet that jacket is going over the back of the chair.

Dripping or wiping at sweat isn't particularly 'styling' either, after all!

Richard.[/quote]

My first cruise I was certain I'd be hot in a tux,but they seem to keep the ship cool on formal and informal nights.I've never ben warm in a jacket onboard.Now I must admit I wear a sports shirt under the blazer on informal nights...........................Frank:)

[amagar]

We're oh-so-comfortable on Celebrity, thank you...and to all who care, follow the dress code to a tee...

[Lois R]

[quote name='scgirl816']Maybe you ladies could help me out...

On the formal night, it's mostly long dresses? I found one today that I adore, and dh said I can have it if I will pay for it (stay at home mom, remember? So I have to get creative! LOL). I already bought a semi formal dress today.

Here are my questions...

Semi formal...would that be a cocktail dress? The one I bought is knee length, spaghetti straps, and wine colored...with some rhinestones...too dressy? My other semi formal is a halter top, fuschia, with a satin sash.

Formal...I think that the one I found would be perfect, but my best friend thinks otherwise...give me your opinion! Last year we both wore floor length black formal gowns with wraps. This dress is red (I am partial to red, I know!), floor length, very dressy, straight but flowy, halter with v neck. She thinks black is dressier and that not many women will be wearing other colors because the men will be in tuxes and dark suits. Thoughts?[/quote]

Your dresses sound perfect:)
As for the red one.....girl you go for it:D. I have worn red,
raspberry, 2 or 3 different shades of blue and yes black as well.
By fashion standards black is "the dressiest of colors" but
I love color (the ones I mentioned) and you wear that red one proudly:)
And hmmmm...if he is in a black tux, your red dress will go with it,
thank you!

Enjoy your cruise.:)

[scgirl816]

Is this too dressy for the informal night?