So how dressy/casual for "casual" dining

[kcam213]

I am a newbie to DCL. I really didn't know there was a dress rule for the "casual cruise" nights.

So, just what sort of clothes do you wear on casual dress nights?

I thought of capri's with coordinated tops. But now I am thinking that this may constitute shorts. And what about blue jeans?

Do most men wear khaki, or cotton twill pants with polo type shirts on casual night or can they/do they wear jeans?

Can women wear sundresses? They have "tank" type straps.

I am glad to read the controversial threads... (fwiw) because I didn't know.

At the same time.... now I am thinking I may need to have extra bag(s) to pack for dinner wear.

I have cruised on CC and I packed 2 bags because of needing clothes for dress up. I thought DCL was more casual because of small children. Maybe I thought wrong.

At dinner on CC line I dressed in maxi skirts with boots, cream colored pants with coordinated tops with sequin designs and strappy heels, etc., sequined black dress etc. I considered these clothes as after 5/ cocktail party clothes.

Is this how we should dress for DCL for MDR dining... on causal cruise nights. I was planning to dress that way for the "semi formal" night for my family.

I guess I need some clarity. I do not wish to commit a faux pas. But I would like to avoid extra baggage/packing if possible

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am a newbie to DCL. I really didn't know there was a dress rule for the "casual cruise" nights.

So, just what sort of clothes do you wear on casual dress nights?

I thought of capri's with coordinated tops. But now I am thinking that this may constitute shorts. And what about blue jeans?

Do most men wear khaki, or cotton twill pants with polo type shirts on casual night or can they/do they wear jeans?

Can women wear sundresses? They have "tank" type straps.

I am glad to read the controversial threads... (fwiw) because I didn't know.

At the same time.... now I am thinking I may need to have extra bag(s) to pack for dinner wear.

I have cruised on CC and I packed 2 bags because of needing clothes for dress up. I thought DCL was more casual because of small children. Maybe I thought wrong.

At dinner on CC line I dressed in maxi skirts with boots, cream colored pants with coordinated tops with sequin designs and strappy heels, etc., sequined black dress etc. I considered these clothes as after 5/ cocktail party clothes.

Is this how we should dress for DCL for MDR dining... on causal cruise nights. I was planning to dress that way for the "semi formal" night for my family.

I guess I need some clarity. I do not wish to commit a faux pas. But I would like to avoid extra baggage/packing if possible

Cruise casual means outfits like capri/blouse; jeans(preferably no holes/rips) & t-shirt; pants & polo, what you wear daytime. That being said, DCL does specify no shorts, swimwear in the dining rooms for dinner. Lunch and breakfast, no swimwear. Sundresses are fine. Tank tops refers to the jersey-type shirts.

Formal, semi-formal, tend to have the same meaning on the cruise. Generally, anything "dressy" will do. Nice pants & blouse; cocktail dress; some even have long gowns on the formal nights.

 

[TinkBell10]

There are literally dozens of dress code threads on the DIS....and it is a hugely debated hot topic. If you search, even in the last few days, you'll find all the information you need...and then some....about DCL Dress Code. Here are a few of the more recent ones:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2920883

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2920874

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2919994

 

[Melissa S]

Not going to get into what to wear during dinner, already did tons of posts on another thread lol. But just some advice for someone who travels very frequently. I would advise against bringing jeans. They take up so much more space in luggage compared to sun dresses for women and pants for men. They are think and bulky and don't fold or roll up as easy as other dressier types of clothing. And unless you are going on an Alaskan cruise they may be too warm to wear anywhere other than the MDRs. My husband and I stopped packing them on trips and will only bring a pair for my daughter who has to wear them on the flights.

 

[eeyoremommy]

I have not seen this next question asked, so I am going to ask it. Does anyone have an issue with a denim skort paired with a nice, dressy top/blouse? The skort is just above the knee and looks like a skirt all the way around. I was thinking about bringing it to wear in place of capris one night but wasn't sure how denim items that were not pants would be received.

 

[Floridagram]

See below.



For us, we try to plan it more carefully and not overpack. We pack only one or two pairs of pants for our boys. If a longer cruise, we pack one light color pair for casual and a dark pair for dress up nights. The only difference between casual and dress-up for our boys is that they wear long-sleeves for dress up. On our special cruise, we had them wear jackets and ties too and have some great family pictures of us dressed up out on deck. It's all just a matter of personal preference and no one will comment on our dress. Pack as light as you need. We have found that you don't need two outfits for each day. If you do that, there will be things you never wear.

Thank you for responding to the OP with courtesy and kindness. Refreshing... Now,I have to get to packing for own cruise that leaves tomorrow!

 

[MillauFr]

Seems like many here are going to wear shorts on formal night. I wouldn't but many will. I could care less what others are wearing. I'm planning on wearing dockers and a polo shirt every night on our cruise next Summer.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I highly recommend space saver bags for packing. It's amazing, how much will fit into a suitcase.

 

[MartDM]

The vast majority of male diners you see will be wearing khakis & polo/button down shirts. A smaller percentage wear jeans with a similar shirt. The vast majority of females you see will be wearing capris/slacks/casual skirt with a nicer t-shirt style knit top/button down shirt/blouse or a casual sundress such as you described (in general, much more casual attire than what you described wearing on your CC cruise).

You will see a small percentage of diners who get very dressed up and a small percentage who ignore the dress code and come to the dining room in all manner of exceptionally casual attire. If you want to fit in with the norm, the standard business casual look I described will put you right in the zone and you won't feel you erred in any way.

 

[MartDM]

I have not seen this next question asked, so I am going to ask it. Does anyone have an issue with a denim skort paired with a nice, dressy top/blouse? The skort is just above the knee and looks like a skirt all the way around. I was thinking about bringing it to wear in place of capris one night but wasn't sure how denim items that were not pants would be received.

Sounds cute...I think it would be just fine for the casual nights!

 

[TXDCLfan]

I personally go by what Disney requests as a good guide line. Thus none of my family will be in shorts.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I have not seen this next question asked, so I am going to ask it. Does anyone have an issue with a denim skort paired with a nice, dressy top/blouse?

So, I can't comment on a skort specifically, but as for the denim... I wore a long denim skirt and a blouse to dinner one night. It was perfectly fine.

I am a newbie to DCL. I really didn't know there was a dress rule for the "casual cruise" nights.
So, just what sort of clothes do you wear on casual dress nights?
I thought of capri's with coordinated tops. But now I am thinking that this may constitute shorts. And what about blue jeans?
Do most men wear khaki, or cotton twill pants with polo type shirts on casual night or can they/do they wear jeans?
Can women wear sundresses? They have "tank" type straps.

Any of these are fine. Enjoy your cruise!

- Dreams

 

[eeyoremommy]

Thanks. I simply could not remember if I had seen denim skirts, etc. I think all these threads have jumbled my mind

 

[moab44]

My family and I were just on the Disney dream. We wore shorts and t-shirts on the dress up night and not one person looked at us as being out of place.
We also wore shorts and golf shirts on ther other nights. So wear whatever you feel comfortable in they will still serve you.

 

[kcam213]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought this thread was deleted because I coudln't find it.
I still have to read all the replies but thanks for replying. I was starting to research new luggage because I thought I would not have enough room to pack everything in a 21 inch suitcase or checking out these new laundry sheets (purex 3 in 1).

Thanks again!

 

[kcam213]

See below.



For us, we try to plan it more carefully and not overpack. We pack only one or two pairs of pants for our boys. If a longer cruise, we pack one light color pair for casual and a dark pair for dress up nights. The only difference between casual and dress-up for our boys is that they wear long-sleeves for dress up. On our special cruise, we had them wear jackets and ties too and have some great family pictures of us dressed up out on deck. It's all just a matter of personal preference and no one will comment on our dress. Pack as light as you need. We have found that you don't need two outfits for each day. If you do that, there will be things you never wear.

Oh, wow! Thanks for this reply. I am on a 4 night cruise. I am pretty sure our "dress up" day is the "optional" dress up day; and you said with Khaki's and polo shirt you were one of the most dressed up. Thanks for this info. I don't want my family to be the bums at dinner... at the same time I don't want to look like the Clampetts and wear a fancy evening dress to a cookout.

 

[kcam213]

I highly recommend space saver bags for packing. It's amazing, how much will fit into a suitcase.

OMG!!! YOu are SOOOO right! Why didn't I think of that. I am going to test run this strategy.
Except when you are repacking everything... how are you going to get vacuum to suction the air out??

 

[LoriABil]

Another way i avoid over-packing is to wear a top twice. So I might shower and change up after our excursion into a new top and capri pants. I only wear the top at dinner, and maybe the show. Then I'll wear it with shorts during the day later on the cruise. I wouldn't do that with my son, he's WAY too messy, but it seems to work for me. On a four day cruise, I bet there won't be a problem. I tend to like skirts. I might bring one or 2 skirts I can wear with a different top on different nights, so that cuts down on packing, too. I'll wear it with a top I can "repurpose" later on the trip. DH will bring 2 pairs of khakis, DS will bring 3 (again, messy)...

Hope that helps!

 

[eeyoremommy]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought this thread was deleted because I coudln't find it.
I still have to read all the replies but thanks for replying. I was starting to research new luggage because I thought I would not have enough room to pack everything in a 21 inch suitcase or checking out these new laundry sheets (purex 3 in 1).

Thanks again!

We use those sheets at home on a regular basis. They are wonderful and are even better for traveling...no spills, leaks, or anything. Buy a trial size or throw a few in a ziploc baggie and you ar good to go

 

[lbaier]

Seems like many here are going to wear shorts on formal night. I wouldn't but many will. I could care less what others are wearing. I'm planning on wearing dockers and a polo shirt every night on our cruise next Summer.

Space bags are a great idea, but there isn't any way on board the ship to "repack" and suck the air out of the bags for return trip home.