defining ladies formal wear

[babyorca]

i have a question. i've always been a bit confused with the dress codes on formal/informal nights? what exactly is a cocktail dress? how is that different from a "formal" dress? are they different due to length? material? colour?

i find it's similar to wear a skirt and blouse and a dress. both are dressing up imho although i would consider a dress more dressed up than say a pencil skirt and blouse. i figure as long as i look nice and feel dressed up (i mean dress, heels, hair and makeup, jewelry), that works for me.

any insight? that'd be great!

[GORDONCHICK]

Since we are talking about formal wear in the context of cruising, it really helps to add even more context such as the cruiseline. Some lines are more formal than others (Celebrity and HAL, with Cunard at the top for most formal of mass-marketed lines). Most lines have done away with informal nights and many never had them. Carnival has technically done away with formal nights, now calling them elegant evenings which gives even more leeway in wardrobe choices. The lines that still have formal nights state that cocktail dresses gowns are perfect for formal nights, so either are appropriate. I find packing cocktail dresses easier for the most part.

[HeavySurf]

Traditionally and strictly speaking, formal attire for women means a long gown--well, gowns ARE long. But most mass market cruise ships are far from traditional and strict.

What you will see on ships of RCI and Carnival are a broad range of dressy attire on formal nights such as palazzo pants with sparkly tops or cocktail dresses which are not long, but are made of dressy fabrics.

What is formal often boils down to the fabric: Silks, satins, organzas, chiffons, brocades, embroidered and beaded features, sometimes velvet.

Also accessories can help dress up a simple dress by adding sparkle or allure, such as strappy heels, a fancy evening bag and the right jewelry.

In short, I have seen everything from stunning designer gowns to simple black slacks with a silky top and a pretty necklace on formal nights. What I seldom have seen on ships are gowns with long trains and full-out ball gowns with the large "Scarlet O'Hara" skirts. I don't recall having seen anyone with a tiarra, although I may have and I seldom see elbow length gloves. I haven't sailed on any super-luxury ships, so any of those rarities may be more common on such ships.

[dual]

Here in the UK we just class cocktail dressess as knee length evening wear (or just below knee, mid calves length) and formal would be ankle or hitting the floor

But I understand that many ladies wear cocktail dresses on formal night and even trousers with a dressy top. Some people just dont do the long dress look.

[cb at sea]

Cocktail dresses are usually knee-length, or thereabouts. It's not a dress you would wear to church, school, the grocery store or a PTA meeting. It's for evening wear...the material and sometimes, cut, is what makes it for evening.
It's perfectly acceptable to wear a cocktail dress on a formal evening.

A formal gown is NOT a "maxi dress"....(which is suitable for daytime wear)...it's a long gown---doesn't have to be a "ballgown"...it can be slinky, or very grand....again...it's usually the material and decorations (beading, sequins, metallic thread---satin, taffeta, stretchy jerseys, etc...) that make it suitable for evening time.

Check out the "fancy dress" dept. in any large department store to get better ideas!