Dressing Boys for Formal Night

[Tinkermom3]

We are going on our first cruise in 6 weeks on the Magic. I have 3 children, DD6, DS11, & DS13. Do my boys need a jacket for formal night or would they be ok with dress shirt, dress slacks and a tie? Could they wear their black tennis shoes instead of dress shoes? Just trying to minimize packing if possible. Thanks!

 

[JoiseyMom]

We are going on our first cruise in 6 weeks on the Magic. I have 3 children, DD6, DS11, & DS13. Do my boys need a jacket for formal night or would they be ok with dress shirt, dress slacks and a tie? Could they wear their black tennis shoes instead of dress shoes? Just trying to minimize packing if possible. Thanks!

You don't need to get then jackets, and the black tennis shoes will be fine. We had my DN Bat Mitzvah to go to and I got DS4 at the time black tennis shoes, slacks, vest, shirt and tie. He looked adorable and it was fine. He wore it to another Bar Mitzvah a year later too!!

Heck we had 2 adults in jeans on our formal night in the dining room.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

We were on the Magic last week and my son wore dark pants and a button up shirt (no tie). He was fine. Most people don't go full formal anyway.
I packed way too many dress clothes for my kids and several nights they wanted to eat with their kid's club group anyway. Pack lite and don't stress over it.

 

[Angie_Ohio]

My three sons were 11, 9 and 7 on our cruise in June 06 and wore dress shirts from Easter with a tie and black pants. They used the same pants on semi-formal night with dress shirts and no ties. Then we had khakis and polos from Target for the remaining evenings except pirate night. They each needed dress shoes for concerts earlier in the year and church so we had those (hand me down ones from the older to the younger). Otherwise, they only wore sandels for the entire cruise. We had tennies for DisneyWorld but they never got worn onboard.
Many people were dressed up but not too much. Others not at all (shorts and sandles even on formal night). I found that my sons enjoyed dressing up for dinner and their behavior was really good. Usually they act the way you would imagine 3 boys act.
Anyway, I planned a year ahead so no clothing was only going to be used on the cruise. I could rationalize it better this way.
Angie_OH
Looking forward to our 2nd cruise Nov. 08!

 

[mndisfam]

another good tip on dressing boys up I got from the boards - take off their shirts immedilately after dinner or pictures! That way, you can get away with one.

I agree with all the posters - we were nervous about dressing up DS 10 - but khakis and a shirt were fine, khakis and shirt and tie were just great too. Any color decent tennis shoe would have been fine also, but those black vans do look more dressy!

Make sure you get a picture.

Have a wonderful cruise...

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Don't stress too much over formal night.

Our DS (9) wore a suit and tie but thats only because it still fit him from his 1st Communion and I was thrilled he could wear it another time.

Next time we sail, DS will be wearing a dress shirt and khakis. Just like most of the boys his age that we saw.

 

[mattmommy]

DS7 had a tux on our last 7 day, but khakis and dress shirts/polos are fine. I figure I only have a few more years to get him dressed nice. I do like the ideas of double dipping with black sneakers. I bought him beige sneakers/sketchers for casual nights.

 

["Got Disney"]

My boys 14 and 11 ...6 Disney cruises have always worn black Kaki pants and a button down shirt. When I say Button I don't mean the kind you wear under a suit. Just a colored polo or we like the nice silk hawaiian type shirts.

On the other nights they wear there Beige Khakis with the same type shirts. They also only wear sneakers but they are new sneakers that they only wear for dinner than when the cruise is over they become there new school sneakers.

We also do not dress formal but Dh wears black dress pants and a button down silk shirt with his black dress shoes.

Me I wear my black dress pants with heals and a nice semi formal dress shirt. We have never been out of place.

 

[PrincessMom2002]

We were on the Magic last week and my son wore dark pants and a button up shirt (no tie). He was fine. Most people don't go full formal anyway.
I packed way too many dress clothes for my kids and several nights they wanted to eat with their kid's club group anyway. Pack lite and don't stress over it.

I packed too many dress clothes for my kids too!! On formal night DS wore black dress pants, a black and burgundy striped button down shirt, black dress shoes, and black tie. There were also some boys with collared shirts, no ties. I don't recall anyone standing out as looking underdressed. You'll be fine!

 

[jajomo0118]

I just got the boys "wally-world "specials the shirt and tie for under 15.00 bucks. Black pants for 15.00 bucks and black oxfords for 12.00.

So for under 35.00 dollars each they got double use out of the pant and shoes.

They just put polo shirts on for semi-formal night.

And if i do say so myself they look so handsome....lol (sig picture)