resordanis Posted October 6, 2015 #1 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Hi All, Have booked our first Cunard cruise on Queen Victoria. In our 21 night cruise we have 5 formal nights. Now we love dressing up BUT having not cruised on Cunard before I do not have any gowns, just many cocktail dresses. Would this be suitable or should I purchase formal long gowns? DH has a Tux, so just worried about myself (of course!!!) Any advice is appreciated. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Hattie Posted October 6, 2015 #2 Share Posted October 6, 2015 (edited) Cocktail dresses will be fine but if you enjoy dressing up and would like an good excuse to go shopping then long would be perfect ! (I always wear long dresses on formal nights). Have a great trip Edited October 6, 2015 by Host Hattie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseluvva Posted October 6, 2015 #3 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I wear mainly long gowns on formal evenings, though I do have two ballerina length as well. Some ladies wear cocktail dresses, so if you don't want to buy more, you'll be ok. But if you like to shop - and who doesn't - go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted October 6, 2015 #4 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Hi All,Have booked our first Cunard cruise on Queen Victoria. In our 21 night cruise we have 5 formal nights. Now we love dressing up BUT having not cruised on Cunard before I do not have any gowns, just many cocktail dresses. Would this be suitable or should I purchase formal long gowns? DH has a Tux, so just worried about myself (of course!!!) Any advice is appreciated. Thanks Depends what you mean by gowns. Gowns are dresses but not all dresses are gowns. You'll find a good mix of formal wear from a few truly stunning gowns, to long dresses to cocktail wear. I don't take gowns any more. I wear long dresses and ring the changes with cocktail trousers and beautiful jackets. Both outfits fit the occasion, as will a cocktail dress. Up to you to decide if some shopping is required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmybean Posted October 6, 2015 #5 Share Posted October 6, 2015 You won't feel out-of-place (from my experience) in a cocktail dress on formal nights. There is a range of ladies formal wear you will see on the ship with cocktail dresses not only acceptable, but easier to pack for a three week voyage than something with more fabric involved. Have a wonderful time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellouB Posted October 6, 2015 #6 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I wear full length for the formal and cocktail for the semi formal, however other passengers do wear shorter lengths instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probert Posted October 6, 2015 #7 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Cocktail dresses for informal evenings? Firstly I don't have any cocktail dresses and secondly they don't sound very informal. I was planning to wear trousers and a smart top or a skirt and nice t shirt the sort of thing I would wear to go out to dinner at home. Does that sound OK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseluvva Posted October 6, 2015 #8 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Personally I wouldn't wear a T shirt in the evening, regardless of how nice and smart it was. Others may feel differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alc13 Posted October 6, 2015 #9 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Worth recalling the Cunard guidelines here: Formal: Evening wear consists of an evening or cocktail dress or smart trouser suit for ladies. A tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit with appropriate neck wear for men or you may wear formal national dress and army uniform. Informal: Evenings would consist of a required jacket and optional tie optional for gentlemen, whilst ladies should wear cocktail dresses, stylish separates or equivalent. By the way, count me in the group that has discovered the fun of putting on a long gown for dinner. I browse online outlet stores and have found some good buys there. And they pack small. "Stylish separates" - hee hee. Sounds like my mother wrote that, and I'm in my sixties now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara Jane Posted October 7, 2015 #10 Share Posted October 7, 2015 formal national dress for some aussies that means shorts t shirt and thongs - ie flip flops on the feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted October 7, 2015 #11 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Cocktail dresses for informal evenings? Firstly I don't have any cocktail dresses and secondly they don't sound very informal. I was planning to wear trousers and a smart top or a skirt and nice t shirt the sort of thing I would wear to go out to dinner at home. Does that sound OK Informal on Cunard isn't very informal. I sort of use the old 3-tier system. For formal I wear a long gown. For informal sea days, I wear a cocktail dress or LBD. For informal port days, I "dress down" a bit. I have a bunch of sheer floaty jackets. They weigh next to nothing and take up very little room. I wear those with black or white trousers and a black silk tank top. On a long cruise, I will repeat outfits. :eek: If you don't have cocktail dresses, invest in a simple LBD and some accessories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClanMcLean Posted October 7, 2015 #12 Share Posted October 7, 2015 On a long cruise, I will repeat outfits. :eek: *faints* :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrunner Posted October 7, 2015 #13 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I wear full length for the formal and cocktail for the semi formal, however other passengers do wear shorter lengths instead. We are diamond members with Cunard and have seen the dress code change quite a lot over the last 10 years. There are no semi formal nights anymore. Formal and informal only. On informal evenings most men wear jackets no ties and the ladies smart dresses or pants. I think Cunard ships are the most dressy at sea especially on formal nights with 90% of men wearing a tux and women in floor length dresses or skirts. I have noticed that crossings are more formal than the cruises though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resordanis Posted October 7, 2015 Author #14 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Thank you all for your information. I will look for a long gown and see how I go. I will take my cocktail length dresses of course as they can also double for informal nights. The dressing up part of a cruise is what we like, but I did not want to purchase a long gown if not necessary! Now the problem is to find something appropriate for my age! Thanks again:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probert Posted October 7, 2015 #15 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Perhaps I shouldn't have used the word T shirt as I think the tops I would wear in the evening are more stylish and smart... Is the ship very warm in the evening or do you need a wrap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseluvva Posted October 7, 2015 #16 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I find it is often glacial, so I would definitely say bring a wrap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2crooz Posted October 7, 2015 #17 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Is it okay to wear smart separates on formal nights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brigittetom Posted October 7, 2015 #18 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Is it okay to wear smart separates on formal nights? I think it is. I have several flowing silk chiffon pants that I wear with tops and elegant wraps. The look is quite formal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseluvva Posted October 7, 2015 #19 Share Posted October 7, 2015 You see lots of ladies in evening trousers or long skirts, with evening tops. It's also a way of making a different "look" very easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2crooz Posted October 7, 2015 #20 Share Posted October 7, 2015 You see lots of ladies in evening trousers or long skirts, with evening tops. It's also a way of making a different "look" very easily. That was my line of thinking. It allows for more variety rather than wearing the same couple of evening dresses throughout the whole trip. Thanks. I assume mid-calf skirts are okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriciaMay Posted October 7, 2015 #21 Share Posted October 7, 2015 (edited) We're first-time QM2 passengers. My husband and I are both 40, and I'm dealing with a debilitating genetic disorder that will force me into a mobility scooter most of this upcoming round-tip crossing (Oct 11-28). Eighteen days, all total. But before I fell ill, I worked a job that required me to attend a good number of formal events, so I'm mostly prepared. My husband has two full tuxes; one modern Christian Dior and one Frock Morning Tux. He also has one nice dark dinner jacket, one sports jacket, and one really weird "old west" costume tux jacket we plan to wear on the masquerade night. I have two full-length gowns. The first I bought expressly for the crossing because it matches the morning tux's style (and it's a titanic dress: http://www.natayadresses.com/en/nataya-best-sellers/289-nataya-40007-new-titanic-dress-in-black-coco-.html). The second is a dress I wore for an awards ceremony. I have a '50s retro formal dress that will go with my husband's "old west" " tux. I have two formal-ish cocktail dress for the other two formal nights (both worn to upscale shows I've attended), and for the Ascot Ball, I have a velvet smart dress and accompanying jacket -- and a matching fascinator (which, as an American, I've never worn before). We're eclectic dressers who hate slovenly clothing on a good day, so we welcome the QM2'sdress code. On the flip side, my health is very delicate right now, so I'll be spending most of the time glued to a mobility scooter. Which will totally crimp my attempts at style, I'm afraid. *** on Edit: One huge thing my husband and I DON'T abide is uncomfortable shoes. Ballerina flats for me; mod, heel-less "beatle boots" for him. *** Edited October 7, 2015 by PatriciaMay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alc13 Posted October 7, 2015 #22 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Wow -your titanic dress is gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriciaMay Posted October 7, 2015 #23 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Their dresses are ALL gorgeous, and all are inspired by Titanic and Downton Abbey. They run out of stock quick, but the quality of the dress I bought is outstanding. Their Facebook page has loads of photos of celebs wearing their creations (they're based in LA). http://www.natayadresses.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggiemou Posted October 7, 2015 #24 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Their dresses are ALL gorgeous, and all are inspired by Titanic and Downton Abbey. They run out of stock quick, but the quality of the dress I bought is outstanding. Their Facebook page has loads of photos of celebs wearing their creations (they're based in LA). http://www.natayadresses.com Lovely dress Patricia May. Keep well and enjoy your cruise. Back to the OP. I always wear a long dress for a formal. I have a many different ones as we do long cruises. On a non-formal night, I wear a nice dress maybe a cocktail type dress. Or maybe black silk evening pants with a glitzy top. I never ever dress down or casual on an evening no matter what. I would never wear a T-shirt even if it was a designer brand. That would be my day wear. I always have a wrap or a pashmina to match my outfits as it can be very cold in the dining room. I love my shoes so they come in all shades and styles and I accessorise everything with jewellery both the real think and a fun stuff. . You can never to be too overdressed on Cunard. IMO. ;) Dress to kill:D and have a wonderful fun time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmybean Posted October 7, 2015 #25 Share Posted October 7, 2015 We're first-time QM2 passengers. My husband and I are both 40, and I'm dealing with a debilitating genetic disorder that will force me into a mobility scooter most of this upcoming round-tip crossing (Oct 11-28). Eighteen days, all total. But before I fell ill, I worked a job that required me to attend a good number of formal events, so I'm mostly prepared. My husband has two full tuxes; one modern Christian Dior and one Frock Morning Tux. He also has one nice dark dinner jacket, one sports jacket, and one really weird "old west" costume tux jacket we plan to wear on the masquerade night. I have two full-length gowns. The first I bought expressly for the crossing because it matches the morning tux's style (and it's a titanic dress: http://www.natayadresses.com/en/nataya-best-sellers/289-nataya-40007-new-titanic-dress-in-black-coco-.html). The second is a dress I wore for an awards ceremony. I have a '50s retro formal dress that will go with my husband's "old west" " tux. I have two formal-ish cocktail dress for the other two formal nights (both worn to upscale shows I've attended), and for the Ascot Ball, I have a velvet smart dress and accompanying jacket -- and a matching fascinator (which, as an American, I've never worn before). We're eclectic dressers who hate slovenly clothing on a good day, so we welcome the QM2'sdress code. On the flip side, my health is very delicate right now, so I'll be spending most of the time glued to a mobility scooter. Which will totally crimp my attempts at style, I'm afraid. *** on Edit: One huge thing my husband and I DON'T abide is uncomfortable shoes. Ballerina flats for me; mod, heel-less "beatle boots" for him. *** The Titanic dress is beautiful! All your outfits, and your husband's, sound very attractive. I only wish I were on your sailing to see you in person! Have a wonderful, wonderful voyage! You will like the Queen Mary 2. :) Jimmybean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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