Designer jeans - the new cocktail dress

[happysinglemom]

Dang - I guess I just made the "I can wear them" list. I'm a 6! :D

Kidding, of course. Clearly, anyone of any size may find some jeans that are flattering, but as others have said, when it comes to a dress code, jeans are jeans. Period. If I see someone in jeans at a nice venue, I don't notice or care what kind they are, and I don't think others do either.

 

As for designer jeans being the "new cocktail dress"....hardly. Why do you think it is only a recent thing - "these days it is more and more chic and fashionable for young people to dress up a nice pair of jeans with nice heels and a nice top" Hello? I've been "dressing up" designer jeans for 20 years. That is certainly nothing new. But no way could it replace a dress. No way.

[Lois R]

I wasn't going to reply to this but decided I will anyway.

 

I don't even bring jeans with me. Too hot in the Caribbean (in my opinion). I have much more comfy clothing for casual time.

 

And even on casual nights, I still like getting dressed up on a cruise. Not formal wear for casual evenings but a nice pair of dress slacks and top or blouse to match.

 

One of my favorite outfits was in March. I wore navy slacks with an offwhite embellished top and a blue jaquard jacket. It was the first night we sailed and that outfit was bought especially for the cruise! I have worn it to work now but I felt very pretty:) And I still like the way it looks on me now;)

 

All my denim~whether it be jeans, skirts, whatever it may be, they stay home while I am on a cruise.

[madelinerose]

Carnival is not as casual as many think. I never saw a pair of jeans in the diningroom for dinner on any night when we were on the Miracle in October.

 

I was just on the Princess boards and someone was mentioning that she's always cruised Princess and now is going to Carnival. Every reply to her post says that she will have a great time on Carnival. Carnival's come a long way, girls! ;)

 

IMHO, no jeans in the diningroom during dinner. If you would wear jeans to a 4 or 5 star restaurant where you reside, then, I suppose jeans will work for you.

 

I don't think it will be "fine" on RCI. I know a lot of frequent RCI cruisers that would say the same. I would think on Carnival it would be fine....

[madelinerose]

Amen, Lois! The Caribbean is no place for denim. Bring on the cotton and linen. My jeans stay at home also. ;)

 

I wasn't going to reply to this but decided I will anyway.

 

I don't even bring jeans with me. Too hot in the Caribbean (in my opinion). I have much more comfy clothing for casual time.

 

All my denim~whether it be jeans, skirts, whatever it may be, they stay home while I am on a cruise.

[folashade]

As far as jeans are jeans. I must disagree with that. A pair of Levi's 501's is not the same as a pair of high end, well tailored and stylishly cut jeans. The silhouette is much more sleek and "dressy" and can be dressed up with the right accessories, top and shoes.

 

I'm not arguing if it's right or wrong to wear them in the dining room. No jeans means no jeans. I just saying that by quoting the dress code to the letter, we're actually leaving room for a more casual look(like wind pants, cargo pants) than what the OP was planning on wearing.

 

Hear Hear!!!

 

Would I wear them in the dining room no because as Lois said it is simply too hot in the caribbean.

 

Have I gone to nice restaurants in NYC with designer jeans, heels and a great top yes. (and yes they were nice restaurants/lounges/events) Have I felt out of place NOPE. Am I below a size 8 no. Curvy and I wear jeans that flatter my particular shape and size especially since they come in so many different cuts and colors and fabric weights. We are not talking plain blue jeans with tapered legs etc (which look good on no one) but well made tailored looks

[jemuu]

I just returned from my first cruise on RCI (see my sad little signature below) and was rather surprised by the casual dress. I did see jeans in the dining room on several nights, which I found disappointing. I know many people see this as their vacation and they should be able to wear what they want.....but somehow that seems out of place on a cruise ship, in my view. In the dining room on casual nights I wore sundresses and such. On the rest of the ship I stayed about the same in a sundress or a casual skirt. I'm one of those types that likes dressing up, but I have to say that the ship itself was so elegant I would have felt out of place in jeans or the like. And no, I wouldn't wear jeans to a nice steakhouse at home either, so that is a good comparison. To each his/her own, but I say leave the jeans at home.

[SharleneinTexas]

I agree with the 'feeling out of place' comment.......and also the comfort factor mentioned by others............I saw a sail date of Aug/Sept? in the western caribbean? I can't imagine being comfortable in jeans in those temps..........even my DD (13 at the time) didn't pack one pair (and didn't miss them) when we traveled to the western caribbean.....and that was in Dec..

[BlueHerons]

Me too! My favorites are Sevens, Paper Denim & Cloths, Rock & Republic, and Parasucco!

 

I forgot Rock & Republic and Blue Cult.

 

Jeans are no longer blue jeans.

[Lois R]

Quote:

"Jeans are no long blue jeans"

 

I guess this is where we will have to agree to disagree.

[1corona4u]

I forgot Rock & Republic and Blue Cult.

 

Jeans are no longer blue jeans.

 

HUH?

 

Seven;

 

Blue Cult;

 

 

Paper Denim;

 

They sure look like jeans to me....:rolleyes:

[1corona4u]

I also have to add, that is an obscene amount of money to pay for anything denim...when I spend $200.00 for anything, it's not going to be denim.....

[Soxfan05]

I also have to add, that is an obscene amount of money to pay for anything denim...when I spend $200.00 for anything, it's not going to be denim.....

 

Some people feel that jeans are so versatile and never go out of style so they are willing to pay more for them than other articles of clothing. I'm not one of them but if I looked like those models do, I'd be more than happy to shell that out. My legs would need to be stretched quite a bit for that to happen! :rolleyes:

 

I've been to 4 and 5 star restaurants here in Boston and New York where a woman in a pair of jeans like that, nice heels and fancy top would be welcomed. They're usually hip, new, young chefs who own and operate the establishments and are looking for a young, upscale crowd. Sure, you'd never see that dress code at a grand dame institution like Tavern on the Green or Lock Ober but then again, they're not catering to that clientele.

 

As far as those who feel it's too hot in the Caribbean for denim, you aren't shopping in the right places. There is summer weight denim. Most of the better manufacturers make it. I'm not a designer jean gal by any means. I buy my summer weight jeans from LL Bean or Lands End. Great for wearing to late afternoon summer parties here on the coast. You don't swelter in the day or freeze at night.

[tumeroll]

Call me old fashioned but I an't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to pay good money for a vacation in reasonably fancy surroundings expect to be treated like a princess with top level service and then want to dress like they were doing the kids noght out at McDonald's/

 

Why not just go to McDonald's and pretend that was your vacation.

 

The dumbing down of everything in this country needs to stop before we are indeed just another third world stop.

[SharleneinTexas]

As far as those who feel it's too hot in the Caribbean for denim, you aren't shopping in the right places. There is summer weight denim. Most of the better manufacturers make it. I'm not a designer jean gal by any means. I buy my summer weight jeans from LL Bean or Lands End. Great for wearing to late afternoon summer parties here on the coast. You don't swelter in the day or freeze at night.

 

denim jeans are too hot in the summer .......for me..........I would rather wear a different fabric.......no matter how light weight the denim is....but that's just my opinon and my preference........at least I do own a pair of jeans - my mother has never purchased a pair in her life and wouldn't be cought dead in them......and she's a itty bitty thing so it's not because she's over a size 8........:)

I really began to question designer denim fashion when the store my family owned started selling denim with holes already in it.......and at prices that would make a strong woman shopper swoon......lol........but they had no problem selling them......go figure

guess that's why there are so many options out there.......so many people with different ideas of what appeals to them.....

 

oh......and speaking of denim - those pics reminded me........I was really frustrated trying to find jeans for my daughter to wear to school......they can't make jeans that cover belly buttons anymore? there is a dress code at her school (thank goodness) and I had to really hunt to find jeans that wouldn't show more than was necessary unless she wore a long tunic with everything

[LARGIN]

I understand that some 4 and 5 star restaurants allow fashion jeans but if you read the dress suggestions on Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, HAL, etc., they do not.. So the problem as I see it is that is someone gonna go with the established rules or march to their own drummer?

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I believe Mccasey has clarified that she has no intention of wearing jeans to dinner on any night, where they are a definite no-no.

 

As for the rest of the ship, PLEASE wear them. As a guy, I love women in nice, designer jeans. It's a hot look! We'll will be boarding our Cruise #21 in a few weeks and I can assure you that other than dinner, jeans are everywhere. This includes the buffet, the casino, the shows, the disco, the other lounges, etc. While some have mentioned that jeans in the Caribbean won't be comfortable, that may be true during the day but in the evening you'll be in the over-air conditioned indoors and jeans are not out of place.

 

I can't speak for the super-premium ships but even on a Costa cruise out of Venice a couple years ago both the men and women were wearing jeans and quite visibly flaunting the expensive Italian brand names!

 

So GO FOR IT......except in the Restaurant as noted.

[boltnut55]

I think it also depends on the cruiseline you're on. For the last two, I'd have to think that I must have worn jeans on casual nights because I don't have any non-jean pants, except one pair of not-so-tight leggings. However, on this Celebrity cruise coming up, it says "no jeans" in the dining room after 6:00 p.m.

[carlmm]

Why do some people think it would be okay to wear jeans or anything else not allowed by the dress code in any room at night (besides the buffet maybe)?

Dress codes are for the evening not just for the dinning room.

 

Some explicit statements:

Cunard: "EVENING attire, effective from 6pm..."

RCCL: "There are three distinct types of EVENINGS onboard: casual, smart casual and formal. Suggested guidelines for these NIGHTS are..."

 

Oh, and how nice is this wording of RCCL: "We appreciate your usual parental guidance and cooperation in OBSERVING this EASY GUIDELINES with your children." If it is easy to understand for children ....

 

Well, all of us, please help to keep up the special atmosphere.

[1corona4u]

As for the rest of the ship, PLEASE wear them. As a guy, I love women in nice, designer jeans. It's a hot look!

 

LOL, so we should all wear jeans because men like them, LOL...I don't think so. I stopped dressing for men MANY years ago.....waste of time, and money. Yeah, like we don't look hot in anything else......:rolleyes:

 

Hey, that's your opinion, and you are entitled to it, but it's a predictable male response.....

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Ha! I'm glad my response was both a "male response" and "predictable". Wouldn't want it any other way! :)

 

KINGBOBOFTHENORTH/Orlando

Sea Princess May 2005 Yeah baby!!

[bayofbiscay]

Im sorry but...jeans are jeans,whether(designer)or not.In the evening either so called smart casual or casual,trousers are far smarter.

 

It does not matter one jot how much that you paid for them,they are purely for pub(bar)wear:p

[Soxfan05]

I understand that some 4 and 5 star restaurants allow fashion jeans but if you read the dress suggestions on Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, HAL, etc., they do not.. So the problem as I see it is that is someone gonna go with the established rules or march to their own drummer?

 

I think you need to read the whole thread. I don't see anyone condoning wearing jeans in the dining room. Least of all me. Read back to post #28 where the reference is made to 4 and 5 star restaurants and jeans.

[ondeckatsea]

There's jeans and there's jeans. I've got some pretty snazzy April Cornell embellished jeans that cost more than my formal stuff. Sequins, embroidery, all that cute stuff. I think with the right accessories, nice shoes and a pretty top they would be fine on casual nights. They are a far cry from dungaries.

[Soxfan05]

Call me old fashioned but I an't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to pay good money for a vacation in reasonably fancy surroundings expect to be treated like a princess with top level service and then want to dress like they were doing the kids noght out at McDonald's/

 

Why not just go to McDonald's and pretend that was your vacation.

 

The dumbing down of everything in this country needs to stop before we are indeed just another third world stop.

 

Dumbing down?....Third world stop?..... Yes, denim is the leading cause of all this.

 

I think you've missed the point and if you open a fashion magazine, you will see that the latest "trend" is dressed up designer jeans. Just like the 80's featured suits and tuxes without ties to the dismay of many, this too shall pass. But for now, it is acceptable. Fashion is ever evolving. There is much that I don't like but I can appreciate those who wear it and wear it well.

 

Again, I think you too need to look back through the thread. No one is condoning any denim in the dining room-designer or otherwise. There is one poster who did wear her denim- because her other pants are leggings. Good choice on going with the denim in my opinion. :D

[folashade]

Im sorry but...jeans are jeans,whether(designer)or not.In the evening either so called smart casual or casual,trousers are far smarter.

 

It does not matter one jot how much that you paid for them,they are purely for pub(bar)wear:p

 

I think we should agree to disagree on this point. I also think that it depends on where you live in many cases as to "designer jeans" If I am home in NYC, or in LA, Chicago, Miami, Vegas I have no qualms about putting on jeans, heels, top and a hot purse and going out. Would I do it in Ohio or other very conservative states/countries no. :rolleyes: And I have seen many people in pants that are not smart casual since they are ill fitting, too baggy not tailored etc. (And I don't consider khakis as dress up pants/slacks - thats what I wear for casual fridays at work)

 

In many cases DARK rinse jeans etc are hard to tell from regular pants in the evening (not slim fit, levis, wrangler etc). And sorry, I don't consider casinos a place for formal attire. I also consider velvet/velour inapproriate for the Caribbean/florida/south of france (any warm weather place/time of year) and people do.

 

I have seen people chastised for naming designer jeans on several boards and for those who wear jeans for going out their is a HUGE difference in the cut and quality of certain jeans from your neighborhood GAP/Walmart jeans. As one poster said fashion is a constantly changing thing some choose to go with it (as long as it is flattering) and other choose not to.