Ladies, define formal

[MrsPete]

If you trust Readers' Digest, here's what they say about it -- according to their definition, most cruisers seem to fit into the semi-formal or cocktail dress category:

 

You’ve just been invited to a wedding, party, or business event. Here’s a handy guide to help you decide what to wear when the dress code is…

 

WHITE TIE

The most formal dress code, typically reserved for events such as state dinners and the Academy Awards

• Women: Wear a formal, floor-length evening gown. Go all out with your most dramatic shoes and jewelry.

• Men: Wear a tuxedo, a long black jacket with tails, a white collared shirt, a white vest, a white bow tie, and black patent-leather shoes. White or gray gloves are appropriate.

 

BLACK TIE

Less dressy than white tie, but still pretty formal, and usually reserved for evening affairs

• Women: Wear a floor-length evening gown, a knee-length dress with heels, or your dressiest black dress. Dressy separates, like a knee-length skirt and shell set, also work.

• Men: Wear a tuxedo, a black bow tie, a black cummerbund or vest, and black patent-leather shoes. In the summer or on a cruise, a white dinner jacket with black tuxedo pants would be appropriate, along with the rest of the black-tie wardrobe.

 

CREATIVE BLACK TIE

Formal, but with a trendy twist

• Women: Skip the modest gown in favor of a more fun, but still formal dress. You can also wear a formal knee-length dress, a satin ball-gown skirt with a cashmere sweater or blouse, or tuxedo pants with a silk top. Accessories should be fun and unique.

• Men: Wear a tuxedo combined with trendy or whimsical items, such as a black shirt or a colored or patterned bow tie with a matching cummerbund.

 

 

 

FORMAL or BLACK TIE OPTIONAL

Slightly less formal than black tie

• Women: Wear a floor-length gown, a knee-length cocktail dress or little black dress with heels, or a dressy suit.

• Men: Wear a dark suit and tie with dressy leather shoes, or a tuxedo.

 

 

SEMI-FORMAL

Somewhere between formal and casual, depending on the time of the event

• Women: Wear a knee-length cocktail dress, a little black dress, a dressy skirt and top, or even slacks with a dressy blouse.

• Men: Wear a suit and tie in a dark or light color, depending on the season and the time of day, or dress pants with a collared shirt and jacket. Add dressy leather shoes.

 

 

COCKTAIL ATTIRE

Festive and fun, but not formal

• Women: Wear a knee-length dress, or even dress pants or a skirt with a nice blouse.

• Men: Wear a jacket and slacks, with or without a tie. Colors or patterns can be a bit bolder than with semi-formal attire.

 

BUSINESS CASUAL

Casual, but work-appropriate

• Women: Wear dress pants, a casual dress, or a skirt with a nice blouse. Stay away from spaghetti straps or plunging necklines.

• Men: Wear khakis or dress pants with a collared shirt and loafers (or loafer-style shoes). You can also add a sport coat or blazer.

 

CASUAL

Anything goes, but stay away from jeans, shorts, and tank tops for bigger events (casual weddings included).

• Women: Wear a sundress, a skirt or pants with a pretty top.

• Men: Wear khakis with a button-down, a sweater, or a polo shirt.

[cruiseonthebrain]

Me too! And having said that, I've seen very little of what I'd consider 'formal' on our cruises. Lots of cocktail dresses and pants....that's 'fancy dress' but not 'formal' to me.

 

I agree with this. I have seen very few "formal" gowns on cruises. A few cruises back, we went all out- long sequins gown/ tux- and we got some strange looks. I could see the looks if we were walking around on Lido at noon all gussied up. When I wasn't with my DH, passenger kept assuming he worked on the ship and peppered him with questions :-)

[magandab]

Forgot to add, that my definition of "formal" really doesn't matter; it's how the cruise line I choose to sail defines it. Since it doesn't appear that my mom will be cruising anymore, and DH doesn't do dress-up, clean and neat will be my rule of thumb.