Caribbean-Cruising Fashonista

[wrcjr98]

Planning outfits is my FAVORITE thing to do!

 

Now I'm taking my kids for the first time, I have 5 people to dress (ok, my 19 yo DD most likely will pick for herself, but I'm sure I get to help!)

 

 

I was at Coldwater Creek, and they have several cute cruising clothes. Some more obvious ones - nautical themed, and other just cute, bright, sparkly shirts. Much younger looking than I remember them being.

 

I bought this - and love it:

 

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/63623/70474/paint-stripe-top.aspx?colorid=051&refLink=knit-tops-and-tees.aspx

 

(Striped - I got the blue/green one)

 

And this:

 

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/product-detail/63626/70447/ship-in-the-night-tee.aspx?colorid=H62&refLink=apparel/knit-tops-and-tees/long-sleeve-tees.aspx

 

(Navy blue with a sequined sail boat.)

 

 

Mind if I join this forum? I am excited about my outfit planning!

 

Welcome to the forum!!

Love the blouses!!

[LifeIsButADream]

Indiana, what cruise will you be on February 10? We will be on Freedom of the Seas. I accidentally stumbled upon this thread, and have spent HOURS reading the whole entire thing....LOVE IT!! Great tips on fashion, packing, makeup and hair, etc. etc.!! Shout out to everyone for all the great tips....will be checking back often to see what has been added....and maybe post a few pictures of my own outfits! ;)

[indiana71]

LifeIsButADream: So pleased that you found us! Welcome to the sisterhood of CCFs:cool::)! Every suggestion/idea here is useful. It's a happy place to spend as much time as you can spare.

Freedom of the Seas is our favorite ship! Lucky you:cool:. We'll be on Explorer (our 5th time). We like every ship - Explorer is within driving distance so it's the one we know best.

Oasis is spectacular - our 2nd time onboard is in June. We're taking our 2 DSs and their families.

Freedom is between Voyager class and Oasis class. It has more to offer than the "smaller" ships (even though they are big!) and is more compact than Oasis.

Come back often, and don't be shy about posting photos! You know the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

We learn alot when we can see an outfit rather than hear about it.

[monkeyinhat]

Found this thread a couple days ago and just finished reading. have enjoyed

 

here is my list. we have 2 beach days, 2 sea days on an 8 night. and going to Florida one day in advance. I wear capris once at dinner and once afterward in port

 

plane-sweater, tank top, jeans,scarf

blue formal, black & silver sequin cocktail

black sundress (can also be cover up later)

maxi dress

1st black capri- black & white top & royal blue top

1st white capri-green top & purple top

2nd white capri- black top & gauze blk. with beads

2nd black capri-blue/purple/green top & white top

yoga pants- pink & lt blue t shirts

plane-sweater , tank top, black chico pants,scarf

swim suits, black and purple, gauze cover up , hat

pj's, panties,x back bra, silver wrap

shoes-black, silver & flip flops

 

all laid out and ready to pack :) will post some photos when I get back

 

my travel uniform is a mid weight sweater, tank top, comfy pants and light scarf. I find I get hot and cold and in between on planes and traveling and that gives me options

 

as far as the question in early post about taking a small purse. I have a purse hook that hangs off the table. sometimes I take a wristlet, for key, reading glasses, lipstick, hand santizer, and $$ if going to the casino.

http://www.amazon.com/Purse-Valet-Stainless-Steel-Handbag-Holder/dp/B00176IQYS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1358128002&sr=8-6&keywords=handbag+holder

[indiana71]

monkeyinhat: Welcome:cool:! BTW, love your screen name

Thanks for posting your list, nice!

Maxi dresses are very popular and so are beach dresses. I don't have any maxis, but my 2 beach dresses are lightweight, comfortable and can be worn on the beach OR to dinner on casual nights.

The neutral Capris are a good idea - different tops make completely new outfits.

ONLY 2 pairs of shoes + flipflops! WOW!! My count is 6 pairs for 7 nights - the least amount ever. Usually the suitcase carries between 9 and 11 pairs:cool:.

Looking forward to photos!

[LifeIsButADream]

Oh darn! Was hoping we were on the same cruise...I think you are just adorable and just LOVE looking at your cruise fashions!!! I too have found some really good "steals" at Goodwill...one of my fav is a top I got for six bucks...when I wear it to church and everyone says "WHERE did you get that...it's so cute!"...I just love being able to say "Goodwill...six bucks"...haha!! Will be tuning in here often to enjoy everyone's pictures and advice!! Barb in Texas

[arom729]

Wow, these threads are so long! I don't know that I'll make it from the beginning. :) But wanted to jump in in prep for my Oasis cruise leaving Feb.16 with DH, DD (20months old when we cruise), and my parents.

 

I'm an experienced cruiser but still haven't found the happy medium for packing--either I over pack or am left disappointed with my options. DH and I both are going to start going through clothes this week.

 

I went through DD's clothes for the cruise this past weekend and have a sundress for nearly every day of the week, but may need to get her another "formal" dress.

 

If I get really into it, I'll try to coordinate DH's, DD's, and my outfits for each night!

[indiana71]

arom729: Welcome:cool::)! If you are able to coordinate all your outfits each night - that would be quite a feat! You will most assuredly win Caribbean Cruising Fashionista of the Year

Your DD will love all the childrens' activities on Oasis. And she will be adorable in those sundresses! I'm envious that you are going soon. Our Family Cruise on Oasis is still over 150 days away...

Making a list, even a very general list, is helpful. During the 7 days, casual clothes are needed. 2 formal nights call for dressing up a bit, and the other 5 nights you need clothes appropriate to the dining venue you choose. Of course, swimwear has to be on the list. It takes a little time, but I believe it's so-o-o worth it.

Keep coming back and let us know your progress.

[arom729]

Thanks, indiana71! I will definitely check back in! My mom picked up two dresses today for DD. :). I need to start putting my mental list on paper!

[LifeIsButADream]

Has anyone ever used the services of the beauty shop onboard? My hair is very long and usually wear it straight or in a ponytail...but wondered if they could do a decent up-do (french twist) or not....or possibly a long braid for daytime....anybody ever go there?? On a fashion note...bought four pairs of shoes today for the cruise....Famous Footwear has their clearance shoes "buy one, get one at half price"...got both casual and dressy...hope to post pictures soon....also scored a pretty red dress to wear Valentine's night for dinner at Ross!! Yee haw! :p

[arom729]

Has anyone ever used the services of the beauty shop onboard? My hair is very long and usually wear it straight or in a ponytail...but wondered if they could do a decent up-do (french twist) or not....or possibly a long braid for daytime....anybody ever go there?? On a fashion note...bought four pairs of shoes today for the cruise....Famous Footwear has their clearance shoes "buy one, get one at half price"...got both casual and dressy...hope to post pictures soon....also scored a pretty red dress to wear Valentine's night for dinner at Ross!! Yee haw! :p

 

I haven't used the beauty shop, so cant help you there...but I was just in Famous Footwear on Saturday and came really close to buying a pair of red heels on clearance. :)

[jacksmom09]

Found this thread a couple days ago and just finished reading. have enjoyed

 

here is my list. we have 2 beach days, 2 sea days on an 8 night. and going to Florida one day in advance. I wear capris once at dinner and once afterward in port

 

plane-sweater, tank top, jeans,scarf

blue formal, black & silver sequin cocktail

black sundress (can also be cover up later)

maxi dress

1st black capri- black & white top & royal blue top

1st white capri-green top & purple top

2nd white capri- black top & gauze blk. with beads

2nd black capri-blue/purple/green top & white top

yoga pants- pink & lt blue t shirts

plane-sweater , tank top, black chico pants,scarf

swim suits, black and purple, gauze cover up , hat

pj's, panties,x back bra, silver wrap

shoes-black, silver & flip flops

 

all laid out and ready to pack :) will post some photos when I get back

 

my travel uniform is a mid weight sweater, tank top, comfy pants and light scarf. I find I get hot and cold and in between on planes and traveling and that gives me options

 

as far as the question in early post about taking a small purse. I have a purse hook that hangs off the table. sometimes I take a wristlet, for key, reading glasses, lipstick, hand santizer, and $$ if going to the casino.

http://www.amazon.com/Purse-Valet-Stainless-Steel-Handbag-Holder/dp/B00176IQYS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1358128002&sr=8-6&keywords=handbag+holder

 

Great list! I am beginning to put things together and this is very helpful!

[monkeyinhat]

Thanks Jacksmom. I hope you have a good cruise. will be here before you know it

 

Indiana-Oh,,,I could do a ton of shoes :rolleyes: but with weight restrictions

have found I can do with mid heel black and silver because I usually do a lot of black and white capri's . but could never do without my beloved flip flops!

[indiana71]

LifeIsButADream: Wow! Four pairs of shoes - what a bargain!! My size 5.5s are more often than not, hard to find. My envy is showing!

Red dresses on Valentine Day - perfect. I wish that along with the Little Black Dress, there were more LRDs! My quest for the Little Red Dress is ongoing. And again, envy is oozing since you have a Ross to go to.

BEAUTY SHOP: Never used any of the services but did pick up a price list. This is from Explorer of the Seas (to give you an example): Shampoo & Blow Dry - $39/$49+

Cleanse, Style Dry and Hair Up - $49/$55 $65+

Hair Up (without cleanse and dry) - $35/$49/$55+

I am confident that the stylists are highly skilled and very professional and their products are the highest quality.

[indiana71]

Yesterday was cold and gray. What's the best way to shut out a mid-winter day? You got it!! Start Packing:cool::)!

#1. Since the "floor" of a suitcase isn't flat, I start with items that fill that space: underwear and swimsuits.

The goal is to always have a flat surface.

Next come pieces that are the most wrinkle-free, i.e., the blue knit pants that hang over; the knit top that goes with the pants and DHs tropical print lounge pants.

The Naot copper sandals are peeking out from the bottom left corner and a couple bras are tucked in the upper right.

 

Tissue paper comes next, then a pair of Liz Claiborne jeans, again laid out with as few creases as possible.

All of my tops are packed like the one on top of the jeans - folded only as much as necessary.

The white Anne Klein shoulder bag seemed to fit, so that's next. And then in the striped tissue is the black silk wrap (that DH bought in New Orleans). It was originally wrapped in that tissue so I can't throw it away...

Next post - more photos...

 

Edited January 18, 2013 by indiana71

[indiana71]

Here's the photo w/ the raspberry Liz C jeans, white shoulder bag, etc.:

 

You can see that even though there's a variety of items, the surface is remaining flat - That's Very Important if you want unpacking to go well.

In this photo, I have more shoes and shorts. An advantage of being small is that many of my clothes fit in the suitcase without being folded at all! Tissue paper helps, too. (I know some of you use the plastic dry cleaner bags.)

I pack incidental items around the lizard heels (clock, night light, extra camera cards, etc.)

Shoes always go in with the bottom facing the outside.

 

And if it looks like the suitcase is getting full - it's not!

Rule #2: Pack tight. You don't want all those nicely ironed outfits shifting when the baggage handlers toss the luggage like jugglers in a circus;)!

For me, the garment bag is the hardest to pack. No problemo with DHs sport jackets and dinner pants. They come out just fine...but if I have - say my chiffon cocktail dress - there's no way to keep the skirt smooth when the garment bag is handled. We have even had exposed hanger hooks completely straightened out:eek:!

Any Suggestions for Garment Bag Packing would be Greatly Appreciated!

[arom729]

indiana--thanks for those pictures! I, too, need garment bag/dress packing advice! I have a chiffon dress I'm taking on this cruise for formal night, and I just know it'll be wrinkly. I think I'll just have it steamed/pressed on ship.

 

I have a question for you fashionistas! I'm putting DD in a vintage sailor outfit for embarkation. Gap right now has some pretty nautical inspired shirts included navy stripes with an anchor. DD's outfit is white, navy, and a red bow. It's vacation--so it's totally acceptable to go matchy-matchy for a mother/daughter look, right? DH will color coordinate as well!

[LifeIsButADream]

Arom: Perfectly acceptable to go as matching mother and daughter....it sounds PRECIOUS and will make for some great pictures!!!

 

Indiana: Am enjoying your packing tips....since we are driving from Texas, my clothes will remain in the suitcase for a LONG time...so really really need to be careful in the way I pack!! I scored some more great deals this week at Palais Royal (which might be a regional store?)...two clearance tops for $10 bucks each and one for $12....now I just need to find a small pewter purse...might have to go online for that one!!

 

It's getting close now....we start our drive to Florida three weeks from today!! Yee haw!! ;)

[wrcjr98]

....now I just need to find a small pewter purse...might have to go online for that one!!

 

 

Do you have a Ross, Marshall's, or TJMaxx near you? They usually have some metallic crossbody purses-and sometimes I have seen clutches at TJMaxx- Good luck!

[murfturf]

Arom: Perfectly acceptable to go as matching mother and daughter....it sounds PRECIOUS and will make for some great pictures!!!

 

Indiana: Am enjoying your packing tips....since we are driving from Texas, my clothes will remain in the suitcase for a LONG time...so really really need to be careful in the way I pack!! I scored some more great deals this week at Palais Royal (which might be a regional store?)...two clearance tops for $10 bucks each and one for $12....now I just need to find a small pewter purse...might have to go online for that one!!

 

It's getting close now....we start our drive to Florida three weeks from today!! Yee haw!! ;)

 

Have you thought about hanging your clothes up for the drive and not packing them in the bag until you get there? Then you will just take them out again soon for the ship! I'm worried about mine as well - flying Saturday morning and not getting to our room until Sunday afternoon. We will hang up the garment bag items in the hotel room to shake out wrinkles but all the stuff in the suitcases will just have to wait.

[JediMom]

At 10 AM today, the Cruise Room was officially opened. It took an hour to move items from the bedroom down the hall. (Not everything is in the CR.) With steel drum music playing, I began organizing tops and jewelry and by noon had put together 2 outfits.

 

Here are the photos for Step 1 - laying out tops, jewelry, shoes from 2 different angles:

 

 

 

The Process will continue for a couple more hours and part of the day tomorrow. After preliminary outfits are chosen, the rejected items go back.

Next week will be Try-Ons.

 

I've been reading all day as I'm home with my sick DS :( Can I just say how awesome this thread is and so full of great info!! Thanks Indiana71 for starting the thread (and all of your great pictures!!) and thanks to everyone else for all of your tips. I'm starting a notebook so I don't forget anything when I go to start packing.

 

We're heading out on the Liberty of the Seas next month!! I'm so excited as it's our first cruise since our honeymoon 13 years ago, and DS's first cruise!!

 

I'm a huge planner and we're trying to keep our luggage to a minimum as we're flying to Ft Lauderdale. Lots of great ideas - keep 'em coming :)

[JediMom]

01 Cobra: Keeping your spreadsheets saves lots of time. It's at least a starting point. All CCFs who take the time to list all outfit components would benefit from your suggestion:cool:.

 

All of my spreadsheets are in the scrapbook for each cruise. It's fun to look at what was worn on Cruise #1 that still makes the cut:).

There's always been a couple new cruise-worthy items that get added and a few pieces that have been worn many times and get relinquished to the summer wardrobe.

 

 

So do you only go into your cruise closet when you're packing for cruises (or vacations??). It's not a mix and match with your summer wardrobe when the weather is warm enough??

[geocruiser]

Here's the photo w/ the raspberry Liz C jeans, white shoulder bag, etc.:

 

You can see that even though there's a variety of items, the surface is remaining flat - That's Very Important if you want unpacking to go well.

In this photo, I have more shoes and shorts. An advantage of being small is that many of my clothes fit in the suitcase without being folded at all! Tissue paper helps, too. (I know some of you use the plastic dry cleaner bags.)

I pack incidental items around the lizard heels (clock, night light, extra camera cards, etc.)

Shoes always go in with the bottom facing the outside.

 

And if it looks like the suitcase is getting full - it's not!

Rule #2: Pack tight. You don't want all those nicely ironed outfits shifting when the baggage handlers toss the luggage like jugglers in a circus;)!

For me, the garment bag is the hardest to pack. No problemo with DHs sport jackets and dinner pants. They come out just fine...but if I have - say my chiffon cocktail dress - there's no way to keep the skirt smooth when the garment bag is handled. We have even had exposed hanger hooks completely straightened out:eek:!

Any Suggestions for Garment Bag Packing would be Greatly Appreciated!

 

Great packing. You fit a lot in there. One of the things that I do is put each shoe in a plastic bag. Then on the way home I put dirty garments in them.

[JediMom]

DH & I have a date this afternoon - senior citizen movie and then dinner. Dress pants, sweater and wedges will be the outfit du jour.

The restaurant is a new brewpub with a nice menu. We'll see sweatshirts & ballcaps...and I guess that's appropriate for a weekday, it's certainly acceptable to many. BUT, I'm on a date and even though we're an "old married couple", it's nice to have DH say, "You look good."

 

quote]

 

This reminds of me of our first trip to Disney World 3 years ago. I'm a scrapbooker and by extension a HUGE picture taker (3000 pictures that trip :_)) We were going through the trip and DH often said,"You looked really good that day. I on the other hand look like a bit of a slob". Yes, I planned my outfits (nothing but polo shirts and nice shorts/jean skirts), yes I looked put together, and yes I made an effort. And I felt GREAT!!

 

Page 80 and counting, almost there ;)

[Jsim2011]

My evening dresses go into the garment bag with my husband's tux. I usally hang my long gowns on two hangers. Hang it normally, then I put the bottom part over another hanger.

 

I wil upload a photo either later or tomorrow.

 

I hang them in my closet this way, then when we pack just take them out with both hangers and put them on top of H's tux. As soon as our luggage arrives in the cabin, I hang the dresses - never had a problem so far.

 

I have to go out shopping right now but will take some photos later or tomorrow.