Dinner Jackets -White or black

[kpercy]

Hi,

 

My wife and I are on the 17th of May crossing. I was wondering about the formal nights. Which is appropriate, a white /cream DJ or black dinner suit.

[pnhmrk]

What is appropriate? Either - or gold, scarlet, blue with sapphire embellishments, etc. Whatever you feel good in can be worn.

 

What is correct? I would think black, but I'm not sure - I would normally wear whichever the officers were wearing. What is the rule for officers when they are deciding on black/white jackets?

[ocngypz]

I've seen both of crossings.

 

My late father who was a retired Navy 06, kept with black, saying we are on the North Atlantic!

 

In southern climes, he did wear both.

 

Me.. a female... I just wear whatever I feel like.. short or long.. of any color.. but formal in design and fabric.

[pepperrn]

BLACK

 

only ever BLACK

 

If you're in (very) tropical climes then white (just) might be acceptable in a casino if (and only if) you fancy yourself as a James Bond figure, Otherwise, BLACK. Did I say that loud enough? BLACK! Only very "non U" and (very) new rich wear white tux. Oh my god. Never outside of the tropics. Certainly NOT on the north atlantic.

 

I M H O !

 

Did I fail to mention Tux should be Black on the North Atlantic?

[jtimmer]

both black and white will work. White generally works except for fall and winter. I am bringing both for our June 9th crossing.

[Kindlychap]

Black.

 

No question about it I'm afraid, white/cream would be wrong.

[mike14c]

Black is better, but i has nothing to do with geogrpahical location. Rather, time of year. From June on, but preferably during the height of summer, a white dinner jacket is an acceptable alternative for gentlemen.

 

Ocassions where white dinner jackets are not only acceptable, but have been de rigeur for decades, include Glyndbourne, the Slazburg opening gala, Saratoga Races opening night and just about every major summer function that still goes on in Newport.

 

None of those is a tropical climate on my map. Simply chic summer events.

[pepperrn]

When the officers wear white, you can. 'nough said.

[pnhmrk]

When the officers wear white, you can. 'nough said.

 

Yes, but how do they decide?

[pongo]

Hi ,

My husband and I are also on the QM 2 on the 17th may but we are all packed and ready .

 

We were really worried about dress code my husband does not wear a suit normaly and the suit he has was gray so we decided to get a new suit but did not want black so we have gone for a DARK SUIT he feels comfortable in it so that is the main thing and he will wear it on the black and white night it is also in the dress code from cunard this is fine

so that is what we will do.

well I think you should not worry about what other people think do what you feel comfortable and enjoy you time on the QM 2

it is for us a dream hoilday so we are going to live it to the full.

[Colin_Cameron]

The only people who wear white dinner jackets are head waiters, bandleaders, Americans and others who don't know any better. ;)

[mufi]

The only people who wear white dinner jackets are head waiters, bandleaders, Americans and others who don't know any better. ;)

 

Colin - some Americans wear kilts, what about that?

 

David.

[Toffeegirl68]

As long as its not denim ..... (let's not start that one again!)

 

Since there is a black and white ball, I reckon you can wear the white one for that evening if you fancy it - after all, you will be dressing to a theme!

[hardastarboard]

Yes, but how do they decide?

 

The Officers uniform changed in 1999. On a formal night, it is a black jacket and bow tie, on informal it is white 'No 10's'.

[Sandgroper]

Well, My DH looks awful in Black/grey so he will be wearing a light blue suit! :p Matches his eyes!!! It was fine on the Star Princess last year and I'm sure it will be fine this year on the QE2.

I like to dress up and was rather disappointed last year to see a couple of female passengers in 'house dresses' on the formal nights, it showed no effort at all in conforming to standards. For a man a suit of any colour is the minimum standard I would expect.:D

 

But....

 

As another subscriber said "I've seen 'properly dressed' passengers with manners of a guttersnipe and people (in jeans) with impeccable manners!" I know who I'd rather sit with!

:)

Sandgroper

[pnhmrk]

The Officers uniform changed in 1999.

 

I've been on the QE2 since then, I'm fairly sure that the officers changed colour (!) partway - although I could be wrong:( It still doesn't answer the question of what criteria were used to make that change.

[hardastarboard]

I've been on the QE2 since then, I'm fairly sure that the officers changed colour (!) partway - although I could be wrong:( It still doesn't answer the question of what criteria were used to make that change.

 

The Officers were given their new uniforms in the refit in December 1999. The uniform changed from a white mess jacket to a black one, No 10's (informal white suit) was kept roughly the same, black informal (reefers) changed from the British 8 button, to the American 6 button. There is no hard and fast rule as to how it is decided what rig should be used, it is at the discretion of the senior officers. A general rule of thumb is a port day is informal, a sea day is formal, but before I get crucified, it is a 'general' rule!! The Officers don't have any choice over what they wear, they 'comply' with the instructions to passengers on the front of the Daily Programme. Hope this clears up my last statement!

[Ab Ovo]

Kpercy,

 

You asked a simple question; look at the nonsense you've you've had to read!

 

Black is always correct. Summer months of June, July, August, and in the Tropics, white works.

 

All this pish tosh ... whatever you think you look good in, or feel good in, or WANT to wear is NOT always appropriate. It is so simple: black or white.

 

(For me? I'd do black crossing in May, but it will be white the QM2 July 4th and Labor Day ((stretching it here)) short cruises.)

 

Enjoy! :)

[pnhmrk]

The Officers were given their new uniforms in the refit in December 1999

 

OK - I must admit that I've not paid that much attention to what they were wearing - just something white or black (or possibly blue!)

 

The Officers don't have any choice over what they wear, they 'comply' with the instructions to passengers on the front of the Daily Programme.

 

What guidelines are used in the setting of those instructions? Who has the final say - the captain?

 

Ab Ovo - it is trivial - you do wear whichever you want to wear (I've got to wear black, my white doesn't fit anymore:( ). I think that part of the fun of going is the thought of what you'll wear and the courage if you want to wear scarlet!

[merryecho]

I've been on the QE2 since then, I'm fairly sure that the officers changed colour (!) partway - although I could be wrong.

 

PNHMRK- according to MY etiquette book, white dinner jackets are allowed in America between April and September, elsewhere black is preferred. Maybe the officers change when they are halfway across!

[DonLou]

I was considering getting a white jacket instead of the usual black just for a little variety. My wife looked at me nonchalantly then casually said, "Black makes you look slim. White makes you look fat."

 

Black.

[kpercy]

I was considering getting a white jacket instead of the usual black just for a little variety. My wife looked at me nonchalantly then casually said, "Black makes you look slim. White makes you look fat."

 

Black.

 

 

OK! Thats it. Wish I1d never mentioned it, but I do believe the blacks have it. Pity the white jacket was for the black and white ball.

 

Thanks for all your opinions anyway.

[guernseyguy]

white dinner jackets are allowed in America between April and September, elsewhere black is preferred. Maybe the officers change when they are halfway across!

 

Now there's a solution! White between April & September, when past the Halfway point!:cool:

 

Peter

[tabascored]

Kpercy,

 

Wear your white jacket!! My husband bought a black tux and also a off-white jacket. He looks great in the tux, but when he put on the white jacket, wow. I don't think I have ever seen him look more handsome, stylish and suave and I've been married to him for a long time.

 

Don't let what said on these boards sway you as to what YOU want to wear. You'll look like a million bucks. How often do you get to wear such incredibly elegant attire?

 

Enjoy your trip and the Black & White Ball.

 

Regards,

 

Sue

[kpercy]

Now there's a solution! White between April & September, when past the Halfway point!:cool:

 

Peter

 

Suzy you doll!

 

The whites going!!