Dress in Drag for V & A's?

[Viki]

OK, friends, here's my question. For our 20th anniversary Gwen and I will dine for the first time at Victoria and Alberts. My Dear Partner never wears dresses or skirts, but she sure feels pressured to kick up her business causal wardrobe that night. So, what will they allow and what would look cool? (I, of course, will be dressed like a girl!).

 

[mickeyfan1]

I don't think it would be inappropriate for her to wear a nice dark suit. With pants and a tie if she wants. I do know that most men wear suits and a lot of women wear dresses ranging from very nice to cocktail to formal. But a nice pants suit would be fine, IMO. Actually, if she wore a nice bright suit I bet it would be OK. If y'all ever go to fine dining at home, what she wears there will be OK at V&A. I know that while Disney has a "dress" code for there as well as Cali Grill, I believe they only enforce the jacket and tie for men rule. I suppose if a guy showed up in a polo shirt, they would have a tie and jacket to loan him. I do think that if you are going to eat where dinner will run you a couple of hundred bucks, it is nice to dress up.

I want to see PICTURES of you too love birds, too!

 

[Viki]

I don't think it would be inappropriate for her to wear a nice dark suit. With pants and a tie if she wants. I do know that most men wear suits and a lot of women wear dresses ranging from very nice to cocktail to formal. But a nice pants suit would be fine, IMO. Actually, if she wore a nice bright suit I bet it would be OK. If y'all ever go to fine dining at home, what she wears there will be OK at V&A. I know that while Disney has a "dress" code for there as well as Cali Grill, I believe they only enforce the jacket and tie for men rule. I suppose if a guy showed up in a polo shirt, they would have a tie and jacket to loan him. I do think that if you are going to eat where dinner will run you a couple of hundred bucks, it is nice to dress up.

I want to see PICTURES of you too love birds, too!

Marsha- I see you're cruising. This question pertains there too, on formal nights (our first cruise in next March). Funny you should compare it to the Contemporary. We've eaten there several times and while always "dressed up," neither of us felt the need for formal wear, whereas I guess I'm taking V & A's more seriously. But maybe I shouldn't?

 

[PghLybrt]

My girl is usually in a tie at those restaurants complete with Mohawk! Never ever did we feel weird or were asked to leave or anything. (Now some of the other people in there may have wanted us to leave.....but thats probably a different story!)

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We've done "both." Done the business suit look and done the tuxedo look. Neither one of us would be caught dead in a dress or skirt (although I've been known to girly up the suits once in awhile) so formal for us is always a suit.

We cruise too, and that's what it is. Suits. Sometimes there is a glittery t type thing under the jacket (me) but that's not often.

One of the many benefits of being a woman.

Have fun!

 

[RickinNYC]

Ok, this is so not what I thought this was going to be about. I had visions of a drag queen gliding through V&A, boa trailing along, huge 70's Cher at the Oscars head dress, painted long dragon lady fingers preening the brightly sequinned gown and humming the theme to Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Carry on.

 

[RickinNYC]

In all seriousness Viki, I wouldn't see the big deal what your partner wore as long as it was appropriate, i.e. a suit. Shorts and a t-shirt at V&A, nuh uh. Suit and tie? Heck yeah!

 

[rmom50]

I think this is just a fascinating question. If you're not really a male, do you have to wear a tie, because don't all males have to wear ties? Wow. I want to know. Hope you have a great time!

 

[Stacerita]

Ok, this is so not what I thought this was going to be about. I had visions of a drag queen gliding through V&A, boa trailing along, huge 70's Cher at the Oscars head dress, painted long dragon lady fingers preening the brightly sequinned gown and humming the theme to Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Carry on.

Thank goodness I was not alone in my vision.

 

[Viki]

Ok, this is so not what I thought this was going to be about. I had visions of a drag queen gliding through V&A, boa trailing along, huge 70's Cher at the Oscars head dress, painted long dragon lady fingers preening the brightly sequinned gown and humming the theme to Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Carry on.

Yes, well, drag cuts BOTH ways doesn't it?

 

[Saxton]

Ok, this is so not what I thought this was going to be about. I had visions of a drag queen gliding through V&A, boa trailing along, huge 70's Cher at the Oscars head dress, painted long dragon lady fingers preening the brightly sequinned gown and humming the theme to Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Carry on.

Rick - are you speaking from experience??? That description was pretty vivid ... I'll have to keep an eye out the next time I'm at WDW.

 

[TeresaNJ]

I too have to admit I had visions that had me going, "no, no, not at V&A's", LOL. Anyway, back to the topic, my husband and I had dinner there several years ago, and I don't recall seeing anyone overly frou-frou dressed, although I really wasn't paying much attention to the other diners, as I was just thrilled to be dining there and was having too much fun checking out the decor, the table setting, the menu, etc. I wore a sleeveless black dress, pretty basic, had a few beads on it, that I had bought for a wedding, and my DH wore a basic jacket and tie. So, I think a nice pant suit, or whatever Gwen feels comfortable in will be fine. Just go and have a wonderful time. You won't regret it, it was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had.

OT, but funny story, we were staying at Wilderness Lodge, and not thinking clearly, instead of taking a cab to the Grand Floridian, we took the boat from the WL dock to the MK dock, then boarded the small boat to the GF. This is all in my little black dress, heels, and shawl, feeling like an idiot. I will never forget the looks we got. I'm sure people were thinking I was headed to the MK dressed like that!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Vicki, I just got off the Mariner of the Seas (14th cruise), in 7 nights RCCL does 2 formal nights. The 1st one is where most people dress up the most formally, women in long gowns and men in dark suits or tuxes. Although there were several lesbian couples on the ship, I missed them except in passing at the pool, so how they did formal, I can't tell you. V&A is a step or 2 above Cali Grill. Personally I feel more comfortable dressing to code, so if the occasion calls for formal (on a ship) I will wear either a full length gown or at least a very dressy cocktail dress. Which is what I did last week. My DH did not bring his tux and declined to rent on on the ship, he wore dress slacks, a long sleeved shirt and a tie both nights and added a sport coat for the first night.

All that being said, unless you are cruising Silver Seas, you will not be turned away at any dining room on a ship. save for shorts and tank tops at dinner. What ever y'all feel comfortable in that isn't the "Hey, I am mowing my lawn" outfit, you will be fine. Tell me all the details about the cruise! Ask me anything about them, I have been on several lines and know a tad about them.

PS - I also thought about the flaming drag queens a la Gay Pride parades, I can just see the society matrons fainting in V&A!


PPS - Why is it when a man wears a dress he is a cross dresser but when a woman wears pants no one says a word?

 

[joanjett1976]

Ok, this is so not what I thought this was going to be about. I had visions of a drag queen gliding through V&A, boa trailing along, huge 70's Cher at the Oscars head dress, painted long dragon lady fingers preening the brightly sequinned gown and humming the theme to Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Carry on.

Sing it: Finally, it has happened to me, right in front of my face and I just cannot hide it.

I would definitely find a suit highly appropriate for a woman at V&A. And yes ladies, the boards are expecting a prom-style pic.

 

[gnome1b]

I just thought I'd add my 2 cents!

On my last cruise (Carribbean Princess), there were a number of women dressed up in men's tuxedo's. I thought they looked quite stunning!
I'm not sure if they were lesbians though, but that doesn't really matter.

I think a suit would be perfectly acceptable at V&A's.

JMHO
Brad in Ma.

 

[Viki]

Thanks guys for all of the great advice. I also wanted to let you know that Gwen's been reading this thread and taking notes.

Gwen? Gwen? What have you decided???

 

[CF'er]

thinking boa's, and Cher Hair.... the works. And the V&A patrons fainting dead away.....

I think they make female tux's if you want to go that formal. I would say a dressy pant suit is very acceptable.

I'm so jealous. Just go and have a good time.

 

[wallyb]

I say think Liza-
(not glitzy Bob Mackie Liza)
She mostly wears pants or tuxedo inspired lady's wear.
Most of it flowy - and all of it elegant and stylish.

Her old Fave was Holston - his stuff was very minimalist.
She should wear something like that... and a smile !

Hope you have the time of you life!

 

[Boston5602]

If you're not really a male, do you have to wear a tie, because don't all males have to wear ties?

Well if I ever get there I hope they have a tie for me . I NEVER wear a suit or tie I feel so ICKKY in them . I always dress up nicely but no tie.

 

[Gweninpa]

Hi guys,
Thanks for all the help. I like the Liza thing - that could work. The trouble is.... I dont remember seeing such outfits while doing my bi-annual shopping for jeans and polos at JC penny's.
I could ask Liza where she shops.... Liza if you're reading this help me out.
Isnt there a line of clothes for Lesbians? I actually did a search for this once - to no avail
Someone should start "The L Line"!

Anyone have any ideas where to get this stuff?