Dress code - casual

[Whynd1]

This may be one for the ladies who use this forum. Off in just over 2 weeks for 12 nights on Arcadia the first cruise for us with the revised dress codes. 9 casual and 3 formal.

9 casual most of my cruise wear seems to be semi formal cocktail dresses.
Some cruisers seem to think casual means really casual. I will be smarter than casual to wear up what I have already got in the cruise wardrobe.
Did notice on Oriana last November that the dress codes were well adhered to.
Rant over

Lindsey

[qbman1]

At least Wales will be out of Euro 2016 before you set off !!

Mrs C and I still continue to have our own "semi-formal" nights even though the dress code is casual. We don't really do "casual" anyway but we found on Arcadia recently that everyone was reasonably smart and we certainly didn't feel uncomfortable or out of place

Enjoy your cruise Lindsey - where are you off to ?

[Whynd1]

The Baltic

Not been to that area before, am really looking forward to it. Just booked the one excursion for St Petersburg a two day tour of all the sights. I will need a lie down after that it's 7.30 am to 5.30 pm both days .


Lindsey

[qbman1]

Great - it's a fantastic trip - I am sure you will love it

There was some discussion on here recently about the merits of tours in St Pete's. When we were there, we did The Hermitage, a river trip and the usual charabanc tour of the town and that was tiring enough. Yours sounds a bit of an epic!

Enjoy

[qbman1]

This was one of the discussions:

https://www.cruise-community.me.uk/view ... petersburg

[Dancing Queen]

You dress to please you Lindsey .. I do

[Gill W]

I think the women's dress codes are fairly interchangeable.

I've worn my previously semi-formal dresses on both formal and smart casual nights.

[Kenmo1]

Hi Lindsey

We have done 2 Baltic cruises and I would happily go again and both times we were lucky with the weather. They can be quite tiring but well worth it. We tend to do our own thing, ambling about, except for St Petersburg of course. Hopefully, you will be able to have a 'quieter' day once St Petersburg is done.

I still wear smart dresses for casual nights often ones that I would previously have worn on semi-formal nights. I live in flat shoes and trousers/jeans all the time at home so I'm not giving up my chance to dress nicely and wear heels. The only time I give in to trousers and dressy tops and flat shoes for a casual night is after an exhausting trip out.

Like Jo said, you dress to suit you and how you feel. Have a great holiday.

Maureen

[wolfie]

I never thought that I would regret the demise of semi formal evenings or formal dining, (being a die hard on the change some time ago), BUT, I don't regret the changes, not one bit!

It's a lot less packing with the suit and numerous jackets that my OH used to take for semi formal evenings, ( we do long cruises so this was a huge amount of clothes), and a much more relaxed dress code for me. I still dress smartly but not in the dresses that I used to take for semi formal nights. They were, and are ,now just as suitable for formal evenings but rather OTT for my interpretation of casual.

So, what, apart from cocktail dresses for the ladies, is your idea of casual???

[Gill W]

My idea of casual evening wear is a dress from somewhere like Per Una, or trousers and a top - but not a sparkly top

[anniec]

My idea of casual evening wear is a dress from somewhere like Per Una, or trousers and a top - but not a sparkly top

Ditto. We may not agree on Brexit, but we do on this.
Other happy hunting grounds: Monsoon, Mango, East (occasionally), Phase Eight, Hobbs. And Wallis do nice long floaty tops for over slim-fit trousers, plus, of course, good ole John Lewis for a fantastic assortment of alternative brands.

[Kenmo1]

I like Planet, Precis Petite, Jacques Vert and Roman Originals but I only ever buy in the sales. I'm too mean to pay the full price especially for Jacques Vert.

Maureen

[anniec]

I like Planet, Precis Petite, Jacques Vert and Roman Originals but I only ever buy in the sales. I'm too mean to pay the full price especially for Jacques Vert.

Maureen

Doesn't this make a nice change from politics .

You won't realise it, but being petite has advantages - I have terrible trouble getting dresses long enough to cover my knees, these days better left unseen.

[Kenmo1]

I like Planet, Precis Petite, Jacques Vert and Roman Originals but I only ever buy in the sales. I'm too mean to pay the full price especially for Jacques Vert.

Maureen

Doesn't this make a nice change from politics .

You won't realise it, but being petite has advantages - I have terrible trouble getting dresses long enough to cover my knees, these days better left unseen.

I like the 3/4 length dresses which Roman Originals and Jacques Vert do. It's more than my knees which are best left unseen.

I agree with GillW and Wolfie that you can use some dresses for formal/ semi-formal and some less dressy dresses which would have been used for semi-formal can be used for casual. Got to get some extra use out of my clothes before they are sent to the charity shop.

Maureen

[Gill W]

My idea of casual evening wear is a dress from somewhere like Per Una, or trousers and a top - but not a sparkly top

Ditto. We may not agree on Brexit, but we do on this.
Other happy hunting grounds: Monsoon, Mango, East (occasionally), Phase Eight, Hobbs. And Wallis do nice long floaty tops for over slim-fit trousers, plus, of course, good ole John Lewis for a fantastic assortment of alternative brands.

Yes, talking about dresses is very unifying - maybe the lads need to join in!

I like Planet, Precis Petite, Jacques Vert and Roman Originals but I only ever buy in the sales. I'm too mean to pay the full price especially for Jacques Vert.

Maureen

I normally buy in the sales too. One of the advantages of being retired is that you can get there as soon as the sale starts and pick up some decent stuff. When I was working, by the time I got a chance to look at the sales, all that was left was the size 6's and size 30's, in weird colours.

I've heard a whisper that M&S have a sale starting this Tuesday (5th), so I'm hoping to pick up a nice summer dress.

I also find eBay good for cruise clothes, especially for formal nights. I stick to brands that I know, and have picked up dresses still with the tags on for very good prices, and sometimes barely worn second hand dresses. Previously, I had never even considered second hand, but there is some great stuff out there.

[anniec]

At least Wales will be out of Euro 2016 before you set off !!

Not if their contributions are as accurate as this one .

Anyway, according to Briony Gordon in the Torygraph today, they are far too busy willie-waving (am I allowed to say that? )

[Whynd1]

That made me laugh Annie.

I'm only 5 ft tall and do find it difficult to buy formal dresses but have had some lovely dresses from precis petite especially in the sale.

Monsoon and phase eight are good.

For casual wear my go to is White stuff. I love their clothes.

[anniec]

That made me laugh Annie.

I'm only 5 ft tall and do find it difficult to buy formal dresses but have had some lovely dresses from precis petite especially in the sale.

Monsoon and phase eight are good.

For casual wear my go to is White stuff. I love their clothes.

It was supposed to be in response to Gill's post about the chaps joining in, but I forgot to quote it . Before any of them say it, clearly I should not be allowed anywhere near a keyboard.

Never looked in White Stuff, though we have a branch. Thanks for the suggestion - there are so few outlets for those of slightly more mature years

[Jacknian]

My idea of casual is a summer cotton or linen dress, or a maxi dress with flat sandals, or linen trousers and a nice top. But others seem to wear more like day wear. I don't think it really matters as long as what you wear is smartish, and you feel comfortable.

[wolfie]

I think I am of the same opinion as most of you ladies. A nice summer dress or smart trousers and top.

[Stephen]

Nothing wrong with a rummage round the clothing banks for some nice casual gear.

[Whynd1]

Funnily enough I have a bag to go to the charity shop this week.


Lindsey

[Kenmo1]

Funnily enough I have a bag to go to the charity shop this week.


Lindsey

There you go, Stephen, get in quick and ask Lindsey if she has got any nice dresses to fit you.

Maureen

[Onelife]

Hi Maureen,

I don't think he'll be needing any of Lindsey's pass me downs as according to local papers it appears he's been rummaging round his neighbours cloths lines for most of his dresses.

[qbman1]

Has he moved on from collecting underwear then ?