Black Tuxedo or White Dinner Jacket for Caribbean?

I see many passengers looking dapper in white on Cunard, trouble is my lovely wife tells me I don't suit a white dinner jacket, or rather a white dinner jacket does not suit me, much as I'd like to add one to my wardrobe. I'm just a little concerned about committing any faux pas with my black tuxedo were white dinner jackets to be more prevalent on the upcoming Caribbean cruise.

Been there, done that! You will see both. My husband will take his black tux AND his white dinner jacket. You can't go wrong with either.

I see many passengers looking dapper in white on Cunard, trouble is my lovely wife tells me I don't suit a white dinner jacket, or rather a white dinner jacket does not suit me, much as I'd like to add one to my wardrobe. I'm just a little concerned about committing any faux pas with my black tuxedo were white dinner jackets to be more prevalent on the upcoming Caribbean cruise.

You'll find both black, and ivory, worn on formal nights in the Caribbean, with many more in the former (and say, 10/20% in the latter). If anyone has an ivory one, pack it and wear it as an alternative to black if you're sailing somewhere warm/hot.

On a warm-water cruise I think that a light-coloured dinner jacket can look very smart (I'm not so keen on them on a North Atlantic crossing). I'd never wear one as I know I'd get it filthy in seconds! :o

Hope this helps. Bon Voyage!

I see many passengers looking dapper in white on Cunard, trouble is my lovely wife tells me I don't suit a white dinner jacket, or rather a white dinner jacket does not suit me, much as I'd like to add one to my wardrobe. I'm just a little concerned about committing any faux pas with my black tuxedo were white dinner jackets to be more prevalent on the upcoming Caribbean cruise.

Whenever I see a white dinner jacket I can't help but think 'ze plane! ze plane!'

I'm not a fan of white, even in the Caribbean. Very few men can pull off the look (most of whom actually wearing white cannot, despite what they allowed the salesperson to tell them during the rare moment when the wife wasn't present).

If you are concerned about boring old black, consider adding a small pin to the lapel. I saw quite a few men wearing those on the 2012 Caribbean Christmas cruise. Alternatively, you might consider a dark blue or burgundy jacket.

But if you want to go for the Fantasy Island look, by all means go ahead. But, by the sounds of it, you might end up dining alone if you do!

Thank you all for imparting both your knowledge and experience which really has put my mind at rest, I can look forward to the upcoming Caribbean cruise without trepidation.

Whenever I see a white dinner jacket I can't help but think 'ze plane! ze plane!

Must be a different demographic...white dinner jackets remind me of "Rick's Cafe Americain" in Casablanca.

Must be a different demographic...white dinner jackets remind me of "Rick's Cafe Americain" in Casablanca.

If only our world existed in black and white. A white jacket might then become acceptable.

Whenever I see a white dinner jacket I can't help but think 'ze plane! ze plane!'

 

I'm not a fan of white, even in the Caribbean. Very few men can pull off the look (most of whom actually wearing white cannot, despite what they allowed the salesperson to tell them during the rare moment when the wife wasn't present).

 

If you are concerned about boring old black, consider adding a small pin to the lapel. I saw quite a few men wearing those on the 2012 Caribbean Christmas cruise. Alternatively, you might consider a dark blue or burgundy jacket.

 

But if you want to go for the Fantasy Island look, by all means go ahead. But, by the sounds of it, you might end up dining alone if you do!

Black is appropriate anywhere, any time of year, but white is optional and appropriate during warm weather anywhere and in the tropics year round.

I cannot imagine being reluctant to wear the very common white , while being willing to go flash in burgundy.

Black is appropriate anywhere, any time of year, but white is optional and appropriate during warm weather anywhere and in the tropics year round.

 

I cannot imagine being reluctant to wear the very common white , while being willing to go flash in burgundy.

You say that white is "optional and appropriate during warm weather" which suggests to me there are rules or etiquette which say this. Can you indicate where this is written or is it appropriate purely by practice and tradition?

M-AR

You say that white is "optional and appropriate during warm weather" which suggests to me there are rules or etiquette which say this. Can you indicate where this is written or is it appropriate purely by practice and tradition?

 

M-AR

My goodness Mid- Atlantic Ridge ;) , as you are a Brit ( well at least with a UK address) you do surprise me !.... Where is this written ? .. I'm sure our American Cousins don't mind, but surely you must know, us Brits have been writing the rules since the days of Downton Abbey . ;)

My goodness Mid- Atlantic Ridge ;) , as you are a Brit ( well at least with a UK address) you do surprise me !.... Where is this written ? .. I'm sure our American Cousins don't mind, but surely you must know, us Brits have been writing the rules since the days of Downton Abbey . ;)

Fair play, I shall get my valet to advise me rather than rely on assistance here. :)

M-AR

You say that white is "optional and appropriate during warm weather" which suggests to me there are rules or etiquette which say this. Can you indicate where this is written or is it appropriate purely by practice and tradition?

 

M-AR

I cannot believe that there are not numerous UK "authorities" on such matters - as I have met many of your countrymen so appropriately attired. I do know that Emily Post in 1938 and Amy Vanderbilt in 1971 - as well as Martha Stewart in her ongoing online guide "Martha Stewart Weddings" claim to offer reliable guidance on the topic on this side of the great Atlantic culinary and language divide.

Further, if you were to look around at any formal warm weather venue frequented by UK and US men, you would certainly see it in practice.

I cannot believe that there are not numerous UK "authorities" on such matters - as I have met many of your countrymen so appropriately attired. I do know that Emily Post in 1938 and Amy Vanderbilt in 1971 - as well as Martha Stewart in her ongoing online guide "Martha Stewart Weddings" claim to offer reliable guidance on the topic on this side of the great Atlantic culinary and language divide.

 

Further, if you were to look around at any formal warm weather venue frequented by UK and US men, you would certainly see it in practice.

I have seen it in practice, on Cunard ships no less, but have always been intrigued by what determines black or white my previous impression was that it is random depending on a man's desire. For reference I have always owned a black jacket but have seen white worn on the north Atlantic.

Your clarity on where and when is appreciated, I only want to do the right thing having been subject to recent female influence "suggesting" I procure a white jacket. As it happens I have a Caribbean cruise booked and this maybe the right opportunity to debut such attire.

Many thanks

M-AR

I have seen it in practice, on Cunard ships no less, but have always been intrigued by what determines black or white my previous impression was that it is random depending on a man's desire. For reference I have always owned a black jacket but have seen white worn on the north Atlantic.

 

 

 

Your clarity on where and when is appreciated, I only want to do the right thing having been subject to recent female influence "suggesting" I procure a white jacket. As it happens I have a Caribbean cruise booked and this maybe the right opportunity to debut such attire.

 

 

 

Many thanks

 

 

 

M-AR

Black or white, no one gives a ....

You won't be refused entry, no one will even raise their heads from perusing the menu whether Carrabean, crossing or World Cruise.

David.

I have seen it in practice, on Cunard ships no less, but have always been intrigued by what determines black or white my previous impression was that it is random depending on a man's desire. For reference I have always owned a black jacket but have seen white worn on the north Atlantic.

 

Your clarity on where and when is appreciated, I only want to do the right thing having been subject to recent female influence "suggesting" I procure a white jacket. As it happens I have a Caribbean cruise booked and this maybe the right opportunity to debut such attire.

 

Many thanks

 

M-AR

You are right - white is never mandatory, rather simply optional in warm weather. Since you mentioned "female influence", I would suggest that you bring her with you when you go to Marks & Spencer, or wherever, to see how you look in one. Some posters here seem to feel they do not wear white well - but if you seek her input you will benefit from her advice - while scoring numerous points for simply asking her help.

I would never wear white during a North Atlantic crossing, but I did wear blue seersucker when we crossed from winter in the Northern Hemisphere to summer in the Southern while on the QM2.

The white jacket variation of black tie began in the early 1930s as a way for well-heeled vacationers to dress formally in the tropical heat without having to endure the heavy and dark-colored fabrics that were standard for evening wear at the time. While dinner suits have become much more lightweight since then, the light-colored jacket has remained a popular warm-weather alternative to its ebony progenitor.

However, without a proper understanding of its form and function, the white dinner jacket easily becomes a flashy gimmick. Subtlety and restraint are the keys to the successful execution of this classic variation.

Etiquette

The white dinner jacket's origin on cruises and at tropical resorts speaks to its specific role as a less formal alternative to traditional black tie. It is only appropriate at formal occasions in the tropics year round and in America during the summer season, typically at open-air social gatherings such as country club dances and yacht club parties.

While summer in the southern United States qualifies as being at least subtropical, the same cannot be said for the more temperate northern states and Canada. It is for this reason that numerous experts advise using discretion north of the Mason-Dixon line in order to avoid dressing for effect rather than for the occasion. Indeed, black-tie guests north of the 49th parallel would be wise to heed the example of their British cousins who do not consider the United Kingdom's temperate climate to be appropriate for white formal wear at any time of the year (with the notable exception of Last Night of the Proms).

And if a man is particularly serious about formal convention, a white jacket should never be worn in the city “unless one has a napkin over his arm or a saxophone up to his lips” as Esquire once put it.

Or as P.G. Wodehouse summed it up:

[about the white jacket]

Jeeves: I assumed it had got into your wardrobe by mistake, sir, or else that it had been placed there by your enemies.

Bertie Wooster: I will have you know, Jeeves, that I bought this in Cannes!

Jeeves: And wore it, sir?

Bertie Wooster: Every night at the Casino. Beautiful women used to try and catch my eye!

Jeeves: Presumably they thought you were a waiter, sir.

Or as P.G. Wodehouse summed it up:

[about the white jacket]

 

Jeeves: I assumed it had got into your wardrobe by mistake, sir, or else that it had been placed there by your enemies.

Bertie Wooster: I will have you know, Jeeves, that I bought this in Cannes!

Jeeves: And wore it, sir?

Bertie Wooster: Every night at the Casino. Beautiful women used to try and catch my eye!

Jeeves: Presumably they thought you were a waiter, sir.

:D:D:D This has just brightened up my morning Thank You !

Hello,after twelve cruises I finally bought myself A white dinner jacket.Looks like I was wrong again.

Rodger.

Or as P.G. Wodehouse summed it up:

[about the white jacket]

 

Jeeves: I assumed it had got into your wardrobe by mistake, sir, or else that it had been placed there by your enemies.

Bertie Wooster: I will have you know, Jeeves, that I bought this in Cannes!

Jeeves: And wore it, sir?

Bertie Wooster: Every night at the Casino. Beautiful women used to try and catch my eye!

Jeeves: Presumably they thought you were a waiter, sir.

I cannot read this without hearing Stephen Fry's voice as Jeeves. In fact, I think I can even remember the episode where he said it.

I cannot read this without hearing Stephen Fry's voice as Jeeves. In fact, I think I can even remember the episode where he said it.

And here it is

Been there, done that! You will see both. My husband will take his black tux AND his white dinner jacket. You can't go wrong with either.

Can only fully concur Mudhen.