Ladies - formal wear question

[imgoingtodisney]

I now have 2 black sleeveless tops to wear for formal & semi-formal nights. What do the ladies mostly wear on the bottom? Dress Pants? Reg pants? Capris? Long skirts? Short skirts? Knee-length skirts?
Hoping to find 1 dressy black something for my bottoms and not spill the first night.
Im short tho- 5'2.5" and I dont sew. Many pants Im finding are too long. I honestly think Im too short for capris.
Is it ok to wear a knee-length black skirt with a shimmery top? Then I worry about my shoes/sandals. I dont like wearing nylons either. Ahhhhhhh

 

[AnnMorin]

well here is my opinion, and I am short too, 5.3 but I wear capris, try some of the better shops that have petit sections and you will find ones that fit fine. That said though I would never dream of wearing capris on formal or semi formal night. I wear a gown on formal and a "little black dress" on semi. you certainly could wear a skirt and a shimmery top to either though, I would go for a long skirt for formal and a short one for semi, but the most important thing is to wear what you like and feel comfortable in. Wear something that makes you feel beautiful!
As for the nylons I never wear them, your legs will be tanned from the cruise just go natural and relax. A black pair of sandles (which should be going on sale here in MA. very soon as summer is almost over) could be fine for both outfits.

 

[lsmac]

I agree with Ann! Go with a long black skirt for formal night (then who cares if you have panty hose or not...they can't see), and a short black skirt for semi formal night (again, panty hose optional as legs will be tan by then). Just remember to wear lots of sunscreen on your legs though, or you may look like you have red hose on by semi-formal night! LOL

I wore a long dress to formal night and fancy slacks and top to semi formal (only because the outfit I "thought" I was going to wear to semi formal, ending up not fitting by that time... Watch those food buffets and walk deck four!)

Lisa

 

[webray]

I have a long black dress/gown for formal night, and a little black dress for semi-formal night.

Check the clearance racks right now at your finer department stores...my formal dress was only $60.

Good luck!

 

[shoes99]

I love those clearance racks. I am also petite and picked up a formal pants set with gold lame' jacket for $29 for formal night. DH will rent a tux. On semi formal night I picked up a sleeveless long dress for also $29.

 

[webray]

Yep...and those clearance racks are full of stuff at great prices!

 

[Lisa F]

Most dry cleaners have a tailor who can hem pants and skirts. If you find something that fits perfectly except for the length, bring it in to be hemmed by a tailor! It's not that expensive and you don't have to know how to sew

Lisa

 

[AnnMorin]

Originally posted by lsmac
[B
I wore a long dress to formal night and fancy slacks and top to semi formal (only because the outfit I "thought" I was going to wear to semi formal, ending up not fitting by that time... Watch those food buffets and walk deck four!)

Lisa [/B]

Lisa dear you looked like a movie star in your gown!
wasn't it fun to act like we were elite for a night?
(still wish you were comming to my bday cruise )

 

[lsmac]

>>>Lisa dear you looked like a movie star in your gown!
wasn't it fun to act like we were elite for a night?>>>

Ann, dear you are too too kind. I still have the pic of the two of us together in our formal wear and you look pretty glam yourself!
I wish I were coming on your birthday cruise too, believe me, after this year...I could use a little "magic".

Lisa

 

[jfis1020]

I don't know if you have a Dillard's or not, but I just bought a gorgeous long black skirt that is slit up to the knee there. The Cincinnati store had a ton of them! I bought two different tops also to wear with it, one sleeveless and one with sleeves. This way I have a summer and winter look!

Never underestimate the power of a black skirt and "little black dress". Unfortunately, my "little black dress" is too little now that my cruise is over!!!

 

[days-going-so-slow!!]

OK! Well, I have a question for everyone. I know the 'Little Black Dress' thing is probably the best way to go, BUT, if DH and DS do the black tux thing, wouldn't it be much black if myself and DD were also in black? I'm hoping to get a very nice and glamorous family picture out of this, but is it going to look like we are going to a funeral?

Also, I have been searching the clearance racks and am coming up empty handed. Maybe Im not looking in the right place. My DH says to go and get something I like at regular price, since this is a once in a lifetime type thing, but where else do you go besides places like Dillards? Wouldn't a prom/wedding type shop be to much?

 

[Michelle]

Days, since your cruise is not till next year I would wait until the HOLIDAY CLEARANCE sales this year to get your dress. There are TONS of formals in stores for the holidays and they all go on sale right after the New Year. You should be able to find a great deal then. No need to rush out and buy something now...good things come to those who wait.

 

[mmouse37]

My DD's always wear their prom/homecoming dresses on formal night. They love getting dressed up and I love the fact that are getting more than one use out of them.

I always wear a long black dress on formal night and a pant suit or long skirt on semi-formal.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/48196942/48728383IIyrEs

http://community.webshots.com/photo/48196942/48728853GWewMZ

http://community.webshots.com/photo/61027011/61041645xVAIAw

MJ

 

[days-going-so-slow!!]

Yes, good things come to those who wait. Thats why I am LOOKING for the right dress. I am starting to look NOW, in case I absolutely fall in love with one, I can get it. Instead of waiting until closer and having to put up with a dress I don't really care for because I couldnt find one I liked. You never know, I may look and look and find one the night before we leave, but at least I am keeping myself busy in the meantime. What about the funeral look? Would black dresses with the black tuxes be to much?

 

[3MinnieMom]

My sister was just on the August 2nd Western cruise. She told me that there was so much black in the dining room on Formal Night, that the women who "stood out" were the ones wearing an elegant red, purple, or other classy-color gown/dress. Have fun shopping!