Fashions in the Med

Hello all,

Just back from my Med cruise on MSC Sinfonia and have posted my review on the MSC board. It was a lovely experience and I would not hesitate to sail with them again. I know there are some differences between the North American and the European cruises and expect that most of the things I found to be disappointing were due to the market.

It was interesting that the casinos were always mostly empty and the bars were for music and dancing much more than drinking. Very different from a Caribbean cruise.

Anyway, back to fashions.

Capris were the big thing for men of all ages. I have seen this trend for the past several years now in Europe and quite like it. There were capris in every fabric, style and color. Speaking of color, the European men are much more bold in this regard. Orange was the biggest trend, followed by gold and yellow. Suit styles on formal nights still favored the Hugo Boss look, with the jackets having a longer silhouette and more buttons. I am sure there is a name for that and Jane, you can probably help me here.

For ladies, Bohemian was the thing and I saw some wonderful outfits on the streets and in the stores. The skirts were all lengths but mostly mid calf and in solid colors. They were most often worn with tanks and t's over them and belted with wide belts. Everything from flip flops to heels was worn with them.

Capris were also very popular again and I wish we had the variety here I saw there.

Jeans remain a staple of the younger crowd and were mostly work with heels and camisole style tops.

The knee length shorts were popular with the teen set and looked quite cute on that age group. IMHO, that is a look you have to be really trim to wear that look and it is best suited to the younger set in general. The only shorts I saw otherwise were cargo types (popular with the Germans especially) and the ones worn by American students, who seemed to be everywhere this summer.

Shoes and purses were simply fabulous, as always! I did not really shop much as I did not want to have to lug my purchases on trains, etc., especially in the intense heat.

The women in Milan and Florence especially were wonderfully attired and I always enjoy how they seem to looked so pulled together effortlessly.

My wardrobe was mostly skirts and a couple of mid calf dresses for day. I wore my capris a couple of times but find skirts to be cooler and more feminine for my personal taste. Evenings I wore silk or silk chiffon wrap skirts and dresses. I was surprised to find that the two pairs of heels I packed turned out to be just fine for my evenings aboard ship; usually I pack a lot of shoes but the weight again was an issue.

I do prefer cruising in the Med during shoulder seasons when te weather is milder and there are not so many kids aboard. Actually, I will have to say that I prefer cruising in general when there are fewer kids aboard. There were quite a few and, for me, I prefer a more adult experience.

Hi Kim:) Welcome Home and I am glad you had such a good time.

I read your review.....quite a few positives and some not so positives;)

I guess that can be said for every cruiseline!

We have to meet for that glass of wine soon:D

The MEN were wearing capris? Did I read that right?

T

The MEN were wearing capris? Did I read that right?

 

T

Absolutely! For the past several years, this has been a very hot style in Europe. I think they look terrific!

Absolutely! For the past several years, this has been a very hot style in Europe. I think they look terrific!

Hi Kim,

Welcome back!

Yes, I've seen the capri's on men in Europe and like them better than I do on women. Since men have no hips, there's a straight line from waist to hem, so they don't get the "big butt/short leg" look that most women get when they wear capri's.

Glad you had a great time.

Jane

We were over there last month and the capris for guys look was all over..and we covered territory from Portugal to England to Norway. But these pants were not tight around the leg but very loose fitting.

Opposite of loose fitting capri pants, our son pointed out the "tight" jeans style being worn by the other guys in his teen group. Here in the U.S. you see young guys in jeans barely hanging on to their waist, nearly down to the floor. Over there with guys the look is tight and somewhat flared legs.

My final contribution to this discussion....women's athletic shoes (or "trainers" as they're called in the UK.) Not so long ago wearing such shoes was a loud broadcast that you were an American tourist. Definitely no longer true. The wife and I were watching the brands seen the most because she wanted to bring home something unique. Well #1 this year was Puma followed closely by Adidas. There were some Nike's but we didn't see many, except in the stores. No New Balance.....that's still a sign of being an American tourist. And I can also say we didn't see anyone wearing Reebok's, except in Sweden where for some reason the old high-top Reebok Freestyle (from the 80's) were popular in a variety of colors.

And that's my fashion update!

BobK/Orlando

just off: Sea Princess

DFDS Crown of Scandinavia

TT-Line Peter Pan

I pointed out to dh that the men in Europe are wearing capris. I thought he'd laugh. But no. He seemed interested! "Really?" he stated. "Young men?" he asked (meaning teens). "Or older." I told him I'd ask.

I pointed out to dh that the men in Europe are wearing capris. I thought he'd laugh. But no. He seemed interested! "Really?" he stated. "Young men?" he asked (meaning teens). "Or older." I told him I'd ask.

A friend of mine in Paris wears them. He's about 40, has his hair buzz cut and has a "bad boy from Marseille" look, (because he's a bad boy from Marseille). I've seen him wear them in olive and black and usually with soft leather loafers in orange or red. His other look is skin tight jeans w/ a boot cut leg. He's very hot looking.

Jane...He sounds very hot! ;)

Kim...Welcome back! So glad you had a good time. Bohemian seems to be the rage everywhere. Personally, I love it....reminds me of my life in the 70's.

A friend of mine in Paris wears them. He's about 40, has his hair buzz cut and has a "bad boy from Marseille" look, (because he's a bad boy from Marseille). I've seen him wear them in olive and black and usually with soft leather loafers in orange or red. His other look is skin tight jeans w/ a boot cut leg. He's very hot looking.

Jane...He sounds very hot! ;)

oh yeah......especially when I'm riding on the back of his motorcycle!

what happens in paris, stays in paris! :)

jane

btw, how was ny? did you get to brasserie 8 1/2?

Hmmm...I have an image of this person resembling the actor who was Diane Lane's lover in "Unfaithful". Cannot remember his name! Am I even close? Yeah, I remember the back of a motorcycle myself. Ahhh...memories. Funny, I read somewhere that you're a redhead and I'd always pictured you a brunette. I'm probably completely wrong about Mr. Motorcycle, huh?

We loved Brasserie 8 1/2! Great ambience, fabulous food and although every table was filled, the service was impeccable - wonderful martinis also.

Anyway, we saw La Cage, spent a gorgeous afternoon in Central Park, we were on standby to see Letterman, got a late check out at the timeshare and an early check in at the Westin (nice), all in all it was another great visit to your fabulous city. We have always been curious about the Blue Man Group, so we went down to the Village to see it. It was great. Almost got tickets for Chick Corea at the Lincoln Center, but the concert times clashed with other plans. We love your fabulous city and could spend a month there.

One thing for sure...we'll never visit NY in the summer again. Just like everywhere, toooo many people. It's April again next year and from now on.

Thanks for asking.

oh yeah......especially when I'm riding on the back of his motorcycle!

 

what happens in paris, stays in paris! :)

 

jane

 

btw, how was ny? did you get to brasserie 8 1/2?

Just wanted to add to the men wearing capris discussion...at my office, on Saturdays when it is a very casual day (unlike the rest of the week) several of the men in my office turn up in capris. They are very cute ones, too, today one guy had on some cargo looking ones in bright orange, with the bungees around the bottom for cinching (though his weren't cinched) and he had on a t-shirt and leather flip flops with them and I thought he looked adorable! An there are several guys who wear the linen capris....they look like linen trousers but only reach I'd say the tops of their ankles. I wonder if they are called capris when men wear them, or if there is another name for them? Cropped pants, perhaps? Anyway, and interesting trend -- I like them.

Shannon

Hmmm...I have an image of this person resembling the actor who was Diane Lane's lover in "Unfaithful". Cannot remember his name! Am I even close? Yeah, I remember the back of a motorcycle myself. Ahhh...memories. Funny, I read somewhere that you're a redhead and I'd always pictured you a brunette. I'm probably completely wrong about Mr. Motorcycle, huh?

Sorry, don't recall guy in Unfaithful.

Me....I'm a definite redhead all my life. Dark red, like Irish Setter red, white white white skin.

We loved Brasserie 8 1/2! Great ambience, fabulous food and although every table was filled, the service was impeccable - wonderful martinis also.

Oh I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I love their booth tables - biggest booth's I've ever seen. And yes, they do make a wonderful martini. Their Sunday Brunch is one of the best in NY.

Anyway, we saw La Cage, spent a gorgeous afternoon in Central Park, we were on standby to see Letterman, got a late check out at the timeshare and an early check in at the Westin (nice), all in all it was another great visit to your fabulous city. We have always been curious about the Blue Man Group, so we went down to the Village to see it. It was great. Almost got tickets for Chick Corea at the Lincoln Center, but the concert times clashed with other plans. We love your fabulous city and could spend a month there.

 

One thing for sure...we'll never visit NY in the summer again. Just like everywhere, toooo many people. It's April again next year and from now on.

 

Thanks for asking.

Gee, I didn't know about Chick Corea.....sorry I missed that! I've seen Blue Man Group twice - lots of fun!

Okay, next time you come, we'll do martini's at Brasserie 8 1/2 if you'd like! :)

Glad you had such a great time here!

Jane

Jane...Olivier Martinez is the actor. I'm a pale blonde. Yes, we had a booth at Brasserie. Had read about the brunch, but we left Sunday morning...maybe next year.

We usually go sometime around April 4 for DH's birthday, avoiding Easter week and the spring breakers. Martinis sound great!

Jane...Olivier Martinez is the actor.

No, my friend is not as handsome or chiseled - but they do share that "bad boy sneer" that I find so....sooooo......je ne sais quoi!

We usually go sometime around April 4 for DH's birthday, avoiding Easter week and the spring breakers. Martinis sound great!

Excellent - I think a pale blonde and a dark redhead holding pretty martini's would decorate the lounge nicely! :)

Jane

Shannon, capris for guys in Europe are called (in English anyway) "3/4 length trousers". Here's a European website that has a variety of them for sale:

http://www.dress-for-less.de/tmpl/en/shop.tmpl?main_cat=2;cat=2;id=QaBXKXYRGbOjcFUs2aMDX8;pg=116

Trends like this frequently begin in Europe and make their way here but I've seen guys wearing them in Europe for 3 summers now and they've not made it here at all, with a few exceptions of course. Note on this website not only the "capri" length shorts for guys but also the 'just over the knee' Bermuda style.

BobK/Orlando

just office: Sea Princess

Does anyone have any idea where I may find these in USA other than on line?

His birthday is next month and he will wear just about anything I buy him.

I live in Miami and shop on South Beach quite a bit, but I don't think I've seen them. Hmm, maybe I've just not been looking.