Thrift shop for formals

[Thrifty]

We live where "smart casual" for women means a flannel shirt and freshly laundered jeans. When we go on a longer cruise with more than a half dozen formal nights, my wife is "fashion challenged." Wouldn't it be wonderful if they had a thrift shop on the boat where suite passengers, who wear expensive formals only once, could clear out their luggage to make room for vacation purchases and steerage passengers could supplement their meagre selection of formals at modest expense. (Perhaps many of the purchasers would resell them to the shop to be cleaned for new purchasers on the next cruise.) Of course, instead of clear glass walls, the shops would have to have translucent or opaque ones, so only women shopping there would know who else was. (Which would minimize the number of dining room comments like,"Yes dear, with her cute figure, she does look stunning in that dress SHE BOUGHT FOR $25 IN THE THRIFT SHOP.") Of course, it would tend to dispel the romantic illusion that most of the other passengers are counts and countesses who are not using their titles out of either modesty or to mislead prospective kidnappers. But in these days, when we see so few steamer trunks on the cruise docks, maybe a little more efficiency and a little less illusion is appropriate.

[mikjr]

Wouldn't it be wonderful if they had a thrift shop on the boat where suite passengers, who wear expensive formals only once, could clear out their luggage to make room for vacation purchases and steerage passengers could supplement their meagre selection of formals at modest expense. (Perhaps many of the purchasers would resell them to the shop to be cleaned for new purchasers on the next cruise.)

Sorry... but I'm not sure any woman would be knowingly caught in an onboard "thrift or consignment" store buying a used dress... I just don't see it happening. Just MHO...

Ladies... what say you??

[halfvass]

No, I wouldn't be caught onboard buying a used dress--I do that before I go! I live in South Florida where we have some dandy consignment and thrift stores and many of the things I wear aboard have come from these shops. And, for the record, I don't look like a bag lady--I've gotten many compliments on my gently used clothes. Besides, it's a "green" thing to do!

Happy cruising!

Deb

[RuthC]

There's plenty of great second-hand shops at home. No need to have one on-board.
Too much chance of meeting up with the original owner! ;)

[newmexicoNita]

We live where "smart casual" for women means a flannel shirt and freshly laundered jeans. When we go on a longer cruise with more than a half dozen formal nights, my wife is "fashion challenged." Wouldn't it be wonderful if they had a thrift shop on the boat where suite passengers, who wear expensive formals only once, could clear out their luggage to make room for vacation purchases and steerage passengers could supplement their meagre selection of formals at modest expense. (Perhaps many of the purchasers would resell them to the shop to be cleaned for new purchasers on the next cruise.) Of course, instead of clear glass walls, the shops would have to have translucent or opaque ones, so only women shopping there would know who else was. (Which would minimize the number of dining room comments like,"Yes dear, with her cute figure, she does look stunning in that dress SHE BOUGHT FOR $25 IN THE THRIFT SHOP.") Of course, it would tend to dispel the romantic illusion that most of the other passengers are counts and countesses who are not using their titles out of either modesty or to mislead prospective kidnappers. But in these days, when we see so few steamer trunks on the cruise docks, maybe a little more efficiency and a little less illusion is appropriate.
Great idea. I love what she did. I didn't do that, but I did get the dress for my granddaughters wedding via E-bay and yes, used. I love it, the price was right and I really didn't need another $100 or so dress so this worked fine.

Nita

[NetwrkEng]

My DW in a "thrift" shop on a cruise ship. ROFL Not going to happen. ;)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Great idea. I love what she did. I didn't do that, but I did get the dress for my granddaughters wedding via E-bay and yes, used. I love it, the price was right and I really didn't need another $100 or so dress so this worked fine.

Nita
Nita, I too have bought some nice Formal Wear on eBay;) The last one I bought was brand new with tags and total purchase with shipping was less than $20. The best part is if fit absolutely perfect:D

I have also hit the thrift stores but it is really hit and miss here in Vegas even in the consignment stores. I have to admit that fewer and fewer stores are carrying Formal dresses so it is making it harder to find a dress even at Full price. So if Formal nights continue you will find more women checking out eBay and Thirft stores to get their Formal wear.

[fann1sh]

On another board, a woman posted about her finds for an upcoming Cunard cruise: consignment, abandoned at dry cleaners, bridal shop clearances. These included a $2,600 gold dress with 20 foot (!) train purchased for $175. She had the train reduced to a mere 5 feet, and used the excess fabric for other matching items.

[usha]

I LOVE Ebay!:D I bought my two favorite gowns on Ebay ($9.00 for a lovely beaded aquamarine gown and 99 cents for a gorgeous white & silver gown). Also got bargains on a great tuxedo & silk dinner jacket for my handsome DH on Ebay.
Saving all that money on formal wear makes me feel less guilty about ordering good wines onboard!:o

[Pam in CA]

Here's another vote for eBay.

For formal nights, I have a long, black t-shirt dress from Lands End that I wear with a variety of pretty, sparkly shawls that I've bought on eBay and in my travels. Paired with black sandals, it's a relatively inexpensive and easy way to dress up for several formal nights without extensive or heavy packing.

[watchdiva]

In Boca/Palm Beach area, there are a number of highly selective designer-only consignment shops that I make periodic trips to. I have also sold to a consignment store and done quite well.

I certainly wouldn't go to one on-board (I don't like to shop on vacation) but you can bet that when I need something for an "occasion" I head to Palm Beach and hit the shops.

When I sell, I must have proof that the items have been freshly dry-cleaned or they won't accept it.

And yes - even though I prefer freestyle, we have been known to dress for dinner on the "dress up or not" evening........wore the same silk pantsuit on a HAL cruise that I wore on NCL. LOL

[watchdiva]

Duplicate - sorry....

[nodumblond]

Sorry... but I'm not sure any woman would be knowingly caught in an onboard "thrift or consignment" store buying a used dress... I just don't see it happening. Just MHO...

Ladies... what say you??

I say, you call it a vintage clothing store, put a big markup on it, and watch it fly out the doors . . . .:D

[Juanita462]

Most of my formal wear came from the Jan. sales - stores don't like to store things so they keep marking them down when they are out of
season. best buy was a gold sparkly top for $4.

[innlady1]

Nita, I too have bought some nice Formal Wear on eBay;) The last one I bought was brand new with tags and total purchase with shipping was less than $20. The best part is if fit absolutely perfect:D

I have also hit the thrift stores but it is really hit and miss here in Vegas even in the consignment stores. I have to admit that fewer and fewer stores are carrying Formal dresses so it is making it harder to find a dress even at Full price. So if Formal nights continue you will find more women checking out eBay and Thirft stores to get their Formal wear.
For our first HAL cruise, I found a wonderful Adrienne Papell beaded silk jacket...NWT...on ebay. Love it! Have worn it on two cruises...and it's in the closet ready to pack for the next cruise!

I can't remember what it cost, but it was under $45...w/shipping!

[cccole]

I don't think that I would purchase many things on-board, but would not hesitate to purchase incredible formal wear from the re-sale shops around. There are some absolutely beautiful items for sale!!! Cherie

[mikjr]

consignment, abandoned at dry cleaners, bridal shop clearances.

I conduct estate sales here in the OC... and have sold excellent designer clothes very cheap... and many times have sold sequined gowns and tops. At these same homes, many times we find the photos of past cruises the people have previously been on, and see these beautiful clothes in the photos.

[usha]

I conduct estate sales here in the OC... and have sold excellent designer clothes very cheap... and many times have sold sequined gowns and tops. At these same homes, many times we find the photos of past cruises the people have previously been on, and see these beautiful clothes in the photos.
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww, I can just imagine my beautiful gowns on teensy weensy old ladies that might have owned them before me....:( :( :eek: :eek:
EWWWWWWW!!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[hammybee]

I love resale/consignment shops. Most are very reluctant to accept formal wear and busiess suits, because " it does not sell".

eBay is hand's down, a terrific source for formal wear.

[Pam in CA]

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww, I can just imagine my beautiful gowns on teensy weensy old ladies that might have owned them before me....:( :( :eek: :eek: I bet many of those "teensy weensy old ladies" are/were extremely elegant and looked beautiful in those gowns. I know my Mom would have; she had exquisite taste.

[JunPOA]

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww, I can just imagine my beautiful gowns on teensy weensy old ladies that might have owned them before me....:( :( :eek: :eek:
EWWWWWWW!!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Usha - I get such a kick out of some of your reactions - so funny (LOL).
Ya know I am 51 now - once, I was 20 and a size 6, some day, hopefully with good health - you too are going to be one of those teensy weensy old ladies.:D and some young thing is gonna say "EWWWW, NO" about wearing your old formal wear.:rolleyes:

[CruiseShelly]

I'm not sure where the "wear them once" thought came from. I have a grouping of formal skirts and sparkly tops that I keep for cruises -- year after year. I never wear something once and then discard it. And yes, I also have the black dress with a variety of beautiful wraps and shawls that "change it up" for different nights. Other than my cruising partner, no one aboard knows these lovely outfits have seen many cruises over the last 20 years!

Comment to the onboard purchasing comments -- last Cunard QM2 cruise they had a sale in the formal shop towards the end of the cruise. Husband was looking around and found a gorgeous black formal skirt with dark blue sparkly accents deeply discounted for $35. My size. Needless to say, it's now in the collection and I can't wait to wear it on Noordam in February!

Along with the concept that no one knows what you paid for your cruise, no one ever knows what you paid for your formal wear. It's your spirit shining through that counts!

[babyher]

Usha - I get such a kick out of some of your reactions - so funny (LOL).
Ya know I am 51 now - once, I was 20 and a size 6, some day, hopefully with good health - you too are going to be one of those teensy weensy old ladies.:D and some young thing is gonna say "EWWWW, NO" about wearing your old formal wear.:rolleyes:


My Mom is going to be 84 in September and is still a size 6. She has impeccible taste in clothes, decorating all of that.

When I see what people half her age and more are walking around looking like, I appreciate her all the more.

[usha]

Usha - I get such a kick out of some of your reactions - so funny (LOL).
Ya know I am 51 now - once, I was 20 and a size 6, some day, hopefully with good health - you too are going to be one of those teensy weensy old ladies.:D and some young thing is gonna say "EWWWW, NO" about wearing your old formal wear.:rolleyes:
I'm almost 53, and still wear a size 3. I'm ALREADY one of those teensy-weensy old ladies.... (EWWWWWWW:D )

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Well, I think it's a great idea ... but buying for future cruises only. NO woman is going to board the ship without formal wear EXPECTING to buy something she likes and that fits on the ship. If, though, I were to run across a bargain onboard I couldn't refuse that suited me perfectly, I'd jump at it and keep it for the next cruise.

[babyher]

Well, I think it's a great idea ... but buying for future cruises only. NO woman is going to board the ship without formal wear EXPECTING to buy something she likes and that fits on the ship. If, though, I were to run across a bargain onboard I couldn't refuse that suited me perfectly, I'd jump at it and keep it for the next cruise.


And NO husband wants to spend his vacation standing outside a dressing room outfit after outfit telling her she doesn't look fat in it :) :) :) :)



Just kidding*LOL*

[madelinerose]

And NO husband wants to spend his vacation standing outside a dressing room outfit after outfit telling her she doesn't look fat in it :) :) :) :)


LOL, truer words have never been spoken! ;)

[thecook]

I too bought my formals at a consignment shop...here in Florida, I will never wear them....the dresses are name brand and like new..under $30ea. Consignment buying is great...but would not frequent a shop onboard...only because I wouldn't want to take a chance of not finding something I like and fits me...

[Sailorgirlseattle]

And NO husband wants to spend his vacation standing outside a dressing room outfit after outfit telling her she doesn't look fat in it :) :) :) :)



Just kidding*LOL*

LMAO!! Of course, there are plentiful bars nearby where the husbands can wait for their ladies to finish shopping. Now, if only they would put a few stools and a bartender IN the shops :rolleyes:

[Feresa]

LMAO!! Of course, there are plentiful bars nearby where the husbands can wait for their ladies to finish shopping. Now, if only they would put a few stools and a bartender IN the shops :rolleyes:

That is a GREAT idea! I sure wouldn't mind a shot or three before trying on formal dresses. It would make shopping CONSIDERABLY less painful.

[norcal2]

A FREE GOWN: A friend I cruised with was Miss (Insert Any State). She is now about 15 to 20 years older than she was when she won and still stunning. I'm a "little teensy, tiny bit" older. OK I'm lying it is a little more than a little but but whose counting - on with the story:

We all got home and I was at her house when she said she had a dress she wanted to give me since she put on about 10 pounds. She pulled out a pageant gown. It was sleeveless because she can hold up a gown like that. It was white glittery, cut out at the waist and slinky form fitting to the floor.

Like Salt In A Wound:

It was so beautiful in fact I thought all I had to do was get plastic surgery to add something to hold the dress up and wear a cover to hide the body parts that have fallen. I decided in the end that perhaps it is easier and cheaper to buy closer to my own body build and the healing from that reality is so much faster than surgery. ;)

[Thrifty]

Thank you to those who pointed out a flaw in my suggestion; i. e., that no woman wants to take a chance on not finding anything appropriate to wear on formal evenings when she arrives on the ship.
But since these would be cruise garments that someone else chose specifically for cruising on that same ship or another of probably about the same class, the risk should be minimal and maybe taking one or two "insurance" formals with the expectation of buying a couple more would be enough?
My point was that thousands people leaving cruise ships every week or month carrying home for thousands of miles formal gowns they wore once or maybe twice while thousands of other people are bringing different gowns thousands of miles in the opposite direction to board the ship is an unnecessary waste of precious jet fuel (and think of the risk of orthopaedic injuries sustained by elderly men not rich enough to have porters at their beck and call.)
Of course, it wouldn't work for those women who leave their husbands at home so they can dance with the gentlemen hosts, because the hosts would have seen all the gowns before and have to think up gallant things to say like, "That gown looks so much better on you than on the princess who had it made in Paris just for her cruise on this ship. It look as though it were made for you rather than for her." But perhaps they save so much jet fuel by leaving their husbands at home and utilizing the prepositioned hosts, that they can reasonably claim the right to take as many gowns as they wish (up to the weight of their husbands.)

[RuthC]

"That gown looks so much better on you than on the princess who had it made in Paris just for her cruise on this ship. It look as though it were made for you rather than for her."
Oh, if there only were a host who would say something so gallant!

In my experience women are lucky to find a host who can dance. :rolleyes: Witty repartee is way beyond my expectations.

[norcal2]

Thank you to those who pointed out a flaw in my suggestion; i. e., that no woman wants to take a chance on not finding anything appropriate to wear on formal evenings when she arrives on the ship.
But since these would be cruise garments that someone else chose specifically for cruising on that same ship or another of probably about the same class, the risk should be minimal and maybe taking one or two "insurance" formals with the expectation of buying a couple more would be enough?
My point was that thousands people leaving cruise ships every week or month carrying home for thousands of miles formal gowns they wore once or maybe twice while thousands of other people are bringing different gowns thousands of miles in the opposite direction to board the ship is an unnecessary waste of precious jet fuel (and think of the risk of orthopaedic injuries sustained by elderly men not rich enough to have porters at their beck and call.)
Of course, it wouldn't work for those women who leave their husbands at home so they can dance with the gentlemen hosts, because the hosts would have seen all the gowns before and have to think up gallant things to say like, "That gown looks so much better on you than on the princess who had it made in Paris just for her cruise on this ship. It look as though it were made for you rather than for her." But perhaps they save so much jet fuel by leaving their husbands at home and utilizing the prepositioned hosts, that they can reasonably claim the right to take as many gowns as they wish (up to the weight of their husbands.)

Then again if he says that...RUN! ;)

[Sailorgirlseattle]

But since these would be cruise garments that someone else chose specifically for cruising on that same ship or another of probably about the same class, the risk should be minimal and maybe taking one or two "insurance" formals with the expectation of buying a couple more would be enough?


Then, in bringing along the insurance gowns, doesn't that defeat the purpose? And if, say, I bring two "insurance" gowns and then pick up two recycled gowns, I'm now lugging home FOUR gowns ... unless I leave the two inferior insurance gowns back on the ship for the next crop of ladies ... and I see that trade-down hitting rock bottom fashion-wise pretty quickly.

[Thrifty]

Seattle Gal:
The idea is that, for a cruise long enough to require four formal outfits, the passenger in question would take two outfits to be safe and then buy the other two onboard. At the end of the cruise she would sell maybe three back to the ship. Her favorite she would keep so that, in the future, she would always look her best for her collection of photographs with ships' captains. In the photographs the captains would change (and perhaps the color of her hair), but the outfit only if she found a better one. And the ship's inventory of formal outfits would constantly be replenished so that gradual changes in fashion and red wine stains did not deplete it.
Only three outfits (two going and one returning) would need be transported instead of eight (four each way) reducing the strain on male tendons, ligaments and joints (and perhaps even wallets), as well as reducing our collective use of jet fuel. I have not tried to compute how many millions of outfits every year would have to travel only between decks rather than an average of maybe a thousand miles each time. Our new president could even include it as a very minor part of his energy policy.
Since the inventory would be of outfits purchased by those who can afford premium cruises to wear on premium cruises, ordinary middle class passengers might find a far wider selection of attractive items they could afford than in a fashionable department store ashore. (It might not work well for a few women of unusual sizes or shapes, but that's no reason to discard the idea altogether.
HAL might or might not profit directly since the re-sales would tend to cannibalize sales of higher margin new sales, but the higher volumes could largely offset or even more than offset the effects of the cannibalization. The important benefit to HAL would be still another competitive advantage over ordinary cruise lines.
My wife likes the idea, but then she's extraordinary in many ways. I like it because my upcoming cruise is during football season, I would be able to safely deposit her in the re-sale shop knowing that nothing too expensive could happen, and when I returned to fetch her after the game, we might both have had winning days and have smiles on our faces even before we have our late afternoon mood-elevating libation.
Please do not hesitate to point out the flaws in my reasoning.

[usha]

Thrify, as far as I can see, the only SERIOUS flaw in your reasoning
is waiting until LATE afternoon for mood-altering libation.;)

[bklawyer]

For heaven's sake, I recently cruised on the Westerdam to Alaska. I saw very few "formal" gowns at dinner and most of those looked like recycled bridesmaid or prom dresses. People mostly dressed as you would for any very nice restaurant. The formal gowns frankly looked overdressed and out of place.

I am in my mid sixties. I brought a black chiffon beaded "flapper" style dress with handkerchief hem, purchased at JC Penney on sale for $50.00. It packed like a dream, didn't wrinkle at all, and was just dressy enough. If you are in as you wish dining, you will see different people every night and there shouldn't be a concern about repeating yourself on the second formal night.

[usha]

For heaven's sake, I recently cruised on the Westerdam to Alaska. I saw very few "formal" gowns at dinner and most of those looked like recycled bridesmaid or prom dresses. People mostly dressed as you would for any very nice restaurant. The formal gowns frankly looked overdressed and out of place.

I am in my mid sixties. I brought a black chiffon beaded "flapper" style dress with handkerchief hem, purchased at JC Penney on sale for $50.00. It packed like a dream, didn't wrinkle at all, and was just dressy enough. If you are in as you wish dining, you will see different people every night and there shouldn't be a concern about repeating yourself on the second formal night.
Honey, if you're in your mid-60s, and wearing "flapper"
dresses for formal nights, you DESPERATELY
need to reconsider....:eek:

[Loreto]

I design and make my formal wear and just smile when complimented! I wouldn't be above prowling thrift shops for unusual fabric to reuse. I made a small "on board cruise purse" just big enough for my key card..out of a mola I bought from an Indian woman in Panama...a fish..her handiwork was amazing. Even the concierge in the Neptune Lounge asked me where I got it!

Karen

[bklawyer]

Cute. By flapper style, I just meant that it hangs straight on the body and does not have a defined waist-- just right for the mature figure.

[usha]

Cute. By flapper style, I just meant that it hangs straight on the body and does not have a defined waist-- just right for the mature figure.
sorry, you had me freaked out there, for a minute...:o

[Cqis]

I guess that I am one of the lucky ones. During the Carnival season which runs from January 6 to Mardi Gras, I go to lots of formals. In 14 cruises I have not worn any dress twice. Granted I did buy the ones that were not made for me on sale . If not on the ship a "Vintage Sale" store on or near dock could work.Lets keep open minds here. Heads Up entrepreneurs !!!!
Does anyone want to finance ME?

[Thrifty]

Cqis: Maybe you could offer your services to HAL to set up a pilot program on one ship; after all, you seem to have an adequate starting inventory in your own closets. Not only could you see the world, but you'd you'd get first pick on anything truly spectacular that came along from a prominent passenger.
If I inherited a premium cruise line, I'd devote myself to distinguishing it from mass market ones any way I could. What better way than to encourage formal nights by making it easier to pack and dress for them?