Formal night is stressing me out!

[travelgrl1278]

You think formal night is freaking you out...my boyfriend hasn't cruised before and when I mentioned formal night to him this morning his eyes looked like this - :eek:, and he said "Are they going to make us all go into a big room and introduce ourselves, like on the first day of school"...He is 35 and is still traumatized by elementary school, lol! Poor guy.

 

He's wearing dress pants & a nice shirt (maybe a tie, I'm not going to force the issue)...I'm wearing either this cheap $20 little black dress which I'm only packing because it doesn't wrinkle, or my black dress pants and pretty top.

 

My first cruise I went out bought a crazy pretty cocktail dress, argued with my then significant other about his suit, blah blah blah...was upset my hair wasn't perfect, blah blah blah. While I like dressing up I can't let what is worn make me crazy and ruin a great day.

 

Just don't wear jeans and you won't feel out of place...although on my last cruise there were 2 guys in the MDR in jeans and I heard them say later in the casino "yeah guess they really meant it about formal, well now we know for next time". I didn't see anyone in a tux or big formal dress, mainly cocktail dresses

[jonesy111]

Thanks for all the great ideas! I do feel much better. I am going to go to the city next Saturday and if I find a nice black dress I will buy it if not I am going with my nice slacks and tops as a back up plan and will feel great wearing them! :D

[NorthCarolinaBelle]

You'll be fine in nice pants and dressy top! But I agree, go to the thrift store and see what they have. You may find a cute little black dress for next to nothing! Whatever you do, just have fun and don't stress!

[pcur]

Going on our first cruise in a few weeks and have been trying everything on in my closet this morning. Can I wear and pair of nice slacks with a nice top or is that not fancy enough?:confused: Do I need to go spend $150.00 on a dress to be "in the norm"? I don't want to look out of place and we are going with a group who already have been on cruises and have the nice outfits. Oh what to do!?

 

If you have a Ross Dress for Less nearby, go there and look in their dresses. I have found several very dressy outfits (originally $120 - $150) for $25 - $30. It doesn't take a lot of money to dress up. Also, thrift stores are a great place to get long dresses. I got two for $8.50 each.

 

If you don't actually like dressing up, then black slacks and a dressy top are fine, too, but I actually spent more money on these types of outfits than on the dressier stuff I mentioned above.

[matilda24]

dont spend 150 on a dress for formal!!! tons of stores have summer clearance right now im goin on my cruise in a week i went to sears 2 weeks ago and got a lil black dress for $6.00 I LOVE CLEARANCE HAHA i also bought 8 new bathing suits at oldnavy and target all for under $30

[Host Faith]

Don't forget Ebay- I got a really cute cocktail dress for $8 :D. I agree that clearance racks at stores are a great place to find formal wear too. Have fun on your cruise!

[sandytoes03]

Going on our first cruise in a few weeks and have been trying everything on in my closet this morning. Can I wear and pair of nice slacks with a nice top or is that not fancy enough?:confused: Do I need to go spend $150.00 on a dress to be "in the norm"? I don't want to look out of place and we are going with a group who already have been on cruises and have the nice outfits. Oh what to do!?

 

Oh my Gosh! Do NOT spend any more money. It sounds like what you have is fine! Go on your cruise and NO STRESS!!

[wcook]

You know....girls wearing boxer shorts over spandex and the like.

Would be fun to see that in the MDR on formal night :)

[bigque]

Not to start a rusty thread issue

but people wear everything on formal night

including blue jeans, all kinds of slacks, no coats,

boots, tennis shoes, and suits&ties and tuxes.

 

I have seen cowboy hats in formal dining rooms!!!

 

Feel good about what you are wearing and you will fit in and have a good time!!!!!!!.

 

Exactly. I just came back from a cruise on Serenade of the Seas and on the 2 formal nights, I saw exactly as you described. Noone was being questioned or denied entrance into the MDR. The only thing I did not see was shorts, tank tops, or flip flops.

[Kimidfw]

Going on our first cruise in a few weeks and have been trying everything on in my closet this morning. Can I wear and pair of nice slacks with a nice top or is that not fancy enough?:confused: Do I need to go spend $150.00 on a dress to be "in the norm"? I don't want to look out of place and we are going with a group who already have been on cruises and have the nice outfits. Oh what to do!?

 

You will be fine. Some people get all dressed up and some people do not. You will see a little of everything and you will not be out of place. Go, relax, enjoy. Pack for your trip and then take out half of what you have packed because you probably won't use it.

 

I'm excited for you and your first cruise! You will love it.

K

[johneeo]

I look at formal night as an opportunity for those that wish to dress to the max their night.

 

For those that want to wear jeans and sneakers on formal night, no problem, just dine in the WJ, Johnny Rockets, room service, or Promenade.

[griffy116]

You think formal night is freaking you out...my boyfriend hasn't cruised before and when I mentioned formal night to him this morning his eyes looked like this - :eek:, and he said "Are they going to make us all go into a big room and introduce ourselves, like on the first day of school"...He is 35 and is still traumatized by elementary school, lol! Poor guy.

 

He's wearing dress pants & a nice shirt (maybe a tie, I'm not going to force the issue)...I'm wearing either this cheap $20 little black dress which I'm only packing because it doesn't wrinkle, or my black dress pants and pretty top.

 

My first cruise I went out bought a crazy pretty cocktail dress, argued with my then significant other about his suit, blah blah blah...was upset my hair wasn't perfect, blah blah blah. While I like dressing up I can't let what is worn make me crazy and ruin a great day.

 

I so agree with the above poster. We carried the formal gowns on our first cruise. Now we've gone to the LBD with some sparkly costume jewelry and we feel just as comfortable. I don't want to miss out on formal nights in the MDR, especially since we have a first-timer on our upcoming cruise, but I refuse to stress over hair, nails or formal night. I'm there for the crew to impress me, not for me to try to impress the crew or the other passengers. Pack you slacks and if you are worried, go to Ross' and get a little top with some sparkle or a LBD, which you can never go wrong with. I have one that can be crushed into a ball. It will be carried, and I won't back up or worry about someone in a red carpet gown. You'll see EVERYTHING. Most of the younger ladies (teens/20ish) will have on very little so I'll let them have the attention (LOL).

[cruiser-007]

You may think that I am nuts, but I say go hit your local Goodwill and look at their evening gowns. You can get it for a fraction of the price and save some money. There are some beautiful items at Thrift stores. Be willing to take some time and dig.

 

I agree and I'm no longer ashamed of it. I don't like suits and ties because I think they're rediculous (my opinion) and I certainly wasn't going to spend $200+ on a new one. Found a nice suit (made in England) at our local Good Will Store. Tried it on, fit perfect!----- $12.00, no kidding!

[Lois R]

There is no reason to spend $150.00 on a dress. I agree with all the

other gals who mentioned the discount type stores. Ross, Marshalls,

TJ Maxx (3 examples) always have dresses at low prices. You can find

3 or 4 dresses for less than the total of 150.00.

 

I also shop at Consignments stores all the time. I just got a

new top that had the original tags on it on Saturday:) Its a

beautiful knit with a light pink/gray pattern. Its an Anne Klein

with the original tag saying 80 bucks......I got it for 20:D

Consignment stores are great!