Couple of ?? for the Fashionistas

[arlanamay]

This my first cruise and I'm trying to get the formal night right. My Mom bought a pretty pantsuit to wear. Is this going to be alright. It's very dressy. Also my 3 sons have now decided they want to come to the formal night(s). They have dress slacks and dress shirts but no jacket. Should I get them jackets or is the dress shirt with tie going to be acceptable. My husband doesn't want me spending the money on something they will probably only wear on the cruise and I will have to drag them to the store to try on. What do you all suggest. I'm a big girl I can take it.

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[pattigay]

What is your destination and what ship are you on? Sometimes this makes a difference.

[trish1c]

Your mom's "very dressy" pantsuit is probably fine, especially if she wears the right accessories.

More importantly than where you are going is how old are your sons? If they are in high school, invest in jackets. You may be able to get some good prices at upscale second hand stores. If they are kids, dress shirt & tie should be fine.

Trish

[fascination 5/10]

I think your boys will be just fine with dress pant, shirt and tie, especialy if your mom is in a dressy pantsuit. You will see everything and your boys will look great with their white shirts and ties to show off their tans! As the mother of two teenaged boys 15 and 19,(and a daughter,22)I am on a very tight budget (2 in college, etc.) Unless you can get a great deal or if your boys will wear them again (before they outgrow them)I'd forego the expense of sport coats and keep peace in the family! As long as your kids are scrubbed clean and are polite, they will be just fine!
Have a great time...sounds like a wonderful family vacation!

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Fascination 5/12/03

[arlanamay]

Thanks for the responses. I'm sailing on the Elation in May. We go to Progreso, Cozumel and Belize. I looked on E-bay today and they have some sport coats very cheap. I bought a grey Lord&Taylor sport coat for my 15 yr old. I hope it fits. It only cost me a dollar with $5 shipping. Heck if it doesn't fit it will eventually. I think for the other two I will try E-bay or let them go with their dress pants,shirt and tie.

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[This message was edited by arlanamay on 04-28-04 at 08:23 PM.]

[fascination 5/10]

Smart shopping! Then if they don't wear them again you can take them to a resale shop and cash in.. or if your 15 yo is the oldest, save for the younger boys. Didn't work for me... elder...tall (6'4", thin, long!) younger 6'0", thick, shorter arms and legs...go figure!n

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Fascination 5/12/03

[arlanamay]

If I get them sport coats what color jacket would you buy with kaki slacks. I saw a suit for sale that had a black jacket with kaki slacks and a dark ivory dress shirt. It looked very nice. I was thinking of getting either navy or black. What do you think?

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[fascination 5/10]

I'd go for navy or black... depending on their coloring. My kid are fair, so I'd probably prefer navy for them....looks preppie, which we love here in New England.

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Fascination 5/12/03

[NorthernLite]

Unless it's a funeral or a tuxedo I always thought black a bit heavy for teens. Just me. Have you tried the thrift or resale shop on the AFB? It's almost moving time of year so there are normally great deals. Heck, take some of their stuff and trade it in. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

Have a great cruise!

Sue
Norwegian Sun-Sept 2001
Carnival Legend-Oct 2002
Celebrity Galaxy-April 2003
Carnival Legend-Oct 2003
Celebrity Galaxy-May 7, 2004

[Andee]

I had good luck at a local resale shop that often had navy blazers from a nearby private school that required students to wear them.

I think just a shirt and jacket would be too casual for formal night. It's never too early to teach kids how to dress appropriately for an occasion.

[arlanamay]

Thanks for the tip northernlite. I hadn't thought of that. Fascination what color dress shirt would you put with a navy jacket and kaki (I can't spell) slacks. I think the preppy look would be a good one for the boys. Their dad is going all black though so do you think it's okay for eveyone to have there own "style"? Good heavens am I overthinking this thing. But I'm loving that folks are answering my thread [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

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[madelinerose]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] Hi arlanamay - For the boys: Navy blazers, khakis and white or light blue shirts in solids or thin stripes will look great.

Yes, I prefer the "everyone have their own style" look. IMO when everyone matches, it's so deliberate and boring.

My dh will be wearing a black suit also. He doesn't want to take his tux.

You'll all look great! Now, think about enjoying that cruise. My first isn't as close as yours', but it's getting there!

Good luck and have a ball!

Karen [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Carnival Miracle 10/24/04
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[fascination 5/10]

Arlanamay... I agree with Karen on shirt colors... white, light blue, blue pinstripe. I also like pink and yellow on men, but none of my boys would be caught dead in pastels! I usually go to our local Polo outlet where I can get oxford button-down shirts for under $20 each. They look great and wash and wear well too!

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Fascination 5/12/03

[mconthehighseas]

I am so glad everyone on this thread is thinking about economy. Since arlanamay's cruise is in the Caribbean, those jacket may be on the back of the boys' chairs instead of on the boys.

a- if your husband has a lighter color suit, he may prefer that, since dark suits can get warm. We bought my husband 2 suits before our cruise last year (he needed to replace the ones he had outgrown, and we thought he might need one for interviews as well.) They were a charcoal gray and a brown plaid. I thought he should take the gray, because other men would have tuxes, but he insisted on the brown. He looked great, felt comfortable, and didn't look out of place.

Keep in mind that the Caribbean tends to be less formal.

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[fascination 5/10]

Heh MC...
Have to think about eceonomy so we can budget for our [B]next[/B] cruise!

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Fascination 5/12/03

[arlanamay]

Believe me I'm thinking economically. Since this is our first cruise my DH keeps seeing all the "extras" that we need for the cruise. He's getting irritated. That doesn't take much were $$$ are concerned [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

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[imlulu]

Arlanamy,
Don't sweat the small stuff. My boys wear khakis, bluish oxfords(old navy),and blazers(thrift shop for $2). They also have ties that match their personalities..one has computers, the other race cars. They owned everything but the blazer for my younger son.They wore school clothes on casual nights to dining room(no jeans..way too hot anyway). During the day they wear bathing suits and a tshirt. You really don't need tons of things.My boys got their stuff in one rolling duffel bag...not even a large one.

No longer cruiseless...donations still accepted! Miracle 2/2005

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[HollyB]

Just wanted to say hope you and your family have a wonderful, wonderful cruise. After the first day, your DH will soon forget about the $$$$, he'll be thinking how to save for the next one!

[arlanamay]

I think I'll take them to Burlington's and have them try on jackets so I can see what size and then I'll scope out thrift stores and e-bay. Imlulu - Thanks for the tie idea. While I'm out shopping with them I'll let them pick out a tie. What store has a selection good selection of ties for boys?

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