So, I'm a "cheap suit" kinda guy

[SeattleSuz]

If he won't wear khakis OR dress pants OR a suit OR a tie what is left for a nice dinner, ever? Genuine question.

When we go out for nice dinners, we generally both wear nice jeans and dressy shirts. That's about as dressed up as we get.

 

[SeattleSuz]

Or go to Goodwill? There's no shame in that and it will save you tons of money. I bought my kids' "winter" wardrobe (fleeces, rain jackets, long-sleeved shirts, etc) for a trip to Alaska for $32. We may never use some of it at home in Fl, but I can't let that stop me from enjoying our cruise to Alaska. On the other hand, if the idea of springing for a nice pair of shoes and pants is that ridiculous to you, then maybe you're right to skip the "fancy" dinner. You know your preferences best. You'll still have a great cruise without Palo.

Yeah DD and I could do Goodwill, but DH doesn't see the point. He can be a bit of a snob when it comes to what he wears.

And I don't think he'll be too upset if we have to skip Palo. It'll be one less workout he'll have to do from eating too rich...

 

[jdb in AZ]

I would take from this experience the complete opposite lesson.


Back to formal dinners... This is the best description of a formal dinner service I have seen: http://www.bizforum.org/etiquette123.htm

It's interesting the above-linked article tells how to unfold a napkin properly (who cares?) but the picture at the luncheon shows a woman with her elbow on the table? I think not!

 

[SeattleSuz]

It's interesting the above-linked article tells how to unfold a napkin properly (who cares?) but the picture at the luncheon shows a woman with her elbow on the table? I think not!

LOL. I saw that too. This article is VERY formal and seems a bit outdated to me. But I am a West Coast gal and have been told that we are more laid back here...

Interesting read though

 

[cobright]

It's interesting the above-linked article tells how to unfold a napkin properly (who cares?) but the picture at the luncheon shows a woman with her elbow on the table? I think not!

Indeed. and she looks like she's wearing a sweatshirt and babushka as well. That said, business dinners tend to get more casual as the day goes on.

This article is VERY formal and seems a bit outdated to me. But I am a West Coast gal and have been told that we are more laid back here.

I would say this article applies mostly to white-tie levels of formality. That is to say tux and glove kind of affairs. I was able to attend something approaching this once as a student delegate to a UN commission and the whole thing was amazing (not going all 'la-tee-da' on you, it was a part of my schooling).

By the after-dinner reception everyone left was in red-sea rig, half-toasted, and way more comfortable.

 

[cris0809]

Yeah DD and I could do Goodwill, but DH doesn't see the point. He can be a bit of a snob when it comes to what he wears.

And I don't think he'll be too upset if we have to skip Palo. It'll be one less workout he'll have to do from eating too rich...

Being "a bit of snob about what he wears" and "dressing up" equating to jeans and a dress shirt don't really jive in my brain.

Anyway, if it would be that off-putting for him to wear more than jeans then Palo or Remy aren't for him. I'm sure you'll find plenty of places on the ship to have a good time. Have a nice cruise!

 

[MrsMork]

Back to formal dinners... This is the best description of a formal dinner service I have seen: http://www.bizforum.org/etiquette123.htm

Wow, and my poor DH got chided when he just tried to open the door for a "lady".

 

[MrsMork]

Being "a bit of snob about what he wears" and "dressing up" equating to jeans and a dress shirt don't really jive in my brain.

Anyway, if it would be that off-putting for him to wear more than jeans then Palo or Remy aren't for him. I'm sure you'll find plenty of places on the ship to have a good time. Have a nice cruise!

Northwest dressing up is different from East Coast. The past Governor of Oregon always, and I mean always, wore jeans. He would add a jacket to dress up. That sort of set the standard for those years and it has carried over. We lived in OR during those years and now live in MT where the Canadian tux is appropriate most places.

 

[SeattleSuz]

Northwest dressing up is different from East Coast. The past Governor of Oregon always, and I mean always, wore jeans. He would add a jacket to dress up. That sort of set the standard for those years and it has carried over. We lived in OR during those years and now live in MT where the Canadian tux is appropriate most places.

Thank you. It's hard to explain that. Dressing up in "Sunday Best" doesn't really apply as much here, unless it's a wedding, in which case, it would call for a shopping trip.

 

[SeattleSuz]

Indeed. and she looks like she's wearing a sweatshirt and babushka as well. That said, business dinners tend to get more casual as the day goes on.



I would say this article applies mostly to white-tie levels of formality. That is to say tux and glove kind of affairs. I was able to attend something approaching this once as a student delegate to a UN commission and the whole thing was amazing (not going all 'la-tee-da' on you, it was a part of my schooling).

By the after-dinner reception everyone left was in red-sea rig, half-toasted, and way more comfortable.

The part of the lady needing to be escorted out by her date and the lady not being allowed to speak up to the waiter and having to have her escort do it for her were two that had me snickering...

 

[MrsMork]

Thank you. It's hard to explain that. Dressing up in "Sunday Best" doesn't really apply as much here, unless it's a wedding, in which case, it would call for a shopping trip.

We just attended a wedding where even the groom and groomsmen were in black jeans. Vests dressed it up for them. My DH wore his dress slacks and dress shirt, but that is just because we are from "that era", I guess.

 

[cris0809]

Thank you. It's hard to explain that. Dressing up in "Sunday Best" doesn't really apply as much here, unless it's a wedding, in which case, it would call for a shopping trip.

I don't exactly live in the dress up capital of the world. More like where flip-flops and Crocs go to die...

 

[dizzi]

Hilarious thread.

ENJOY REMY

 

[Ravenne]

Northwest dressing up is different from East Coast. The past Governor of Oregon always, and I mean always, wore jeans. He would add a jacket to dress up. That sort of set the standard for those years and it has carried over. We lived in OR during those years and now live in MT where the Canadian tux is appropriate most places.

I would have to agree. I'm originally from the East Coast, but I now live in a western state. I remember going to a police academy graduation once and I dressed up for the occasion. Nothing overly fancy, but a dress, and some nicer shoes. I was kind of surprised that the majority of the "dressing up" I saw at the ceremony, for men and women, consisted of a 5 gallon Stetson, a button down shirt (some of which weren't even clean, let alone pressed and it seemed like they just walked off the ranch), bolo tie, jeans and boots. To me, that's hoedown night at the saloon, not necessarily dressing up for a graduation, but to the culture here, that's dressing to the nines. Needless to say, in my one piece knee length dress and matching shoes, I felt out of place a bit lol.

 

[kiford]

A lot of people dress up on formal night not to try to impress others with their wardrobe but because it is one of the few occasions when the whole family is dressed up and they can do group photos, especially when there are children who may normally have to be held down and forced into such clothing under duress. I love to get dressed up (as long as I don't have to wear the high heeled shoes for too long) and will typically have a new dress each cruise but that's just me - I don't get much chance to dress up normally because our lifestyle is pretty casual. If you are respecting the requested dress code, no one cares how much you paid or where you got it. Take the opportunity to get a photo while you are still dressed up; even better if you can get it with a character as it makes the photo much more fun.

And enjoy Remy's. We loved it (except for the wretched high heel shoes which I slipped off under the table - I only wear them on these occasions and while I like a new dress each time I refuse to buy new shoes. Completely illogical I know)

 

[TDC Nala]

I've had dinner at Remy twice and have never seen a man there in a tux. A suit is fine.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I find it hugely interesting to read thru this and similar threads to see how different people interpret the concepts of 'formal' and 'semi-formal'. Not saying that there is a right and there is a wrong, just more of a 'hmmmm' reaction.

For me, PERSONALLY, formal = tux, semi formal = suit, cruise casual = khakis and a collared shirt (with or without a sweater or sport coat), and Friday casual = a nice pair of jeans and a sport coat.

My PERSONAL philosophy is that I prefer to be overdressed than underdressed. If it's the latter, I feel self-conscious, and if it's the former, people will just assume that I have somewhere better to go to afterwards.

That being said, what works for me, doesn't work for everyone. However, I will echo the comments made by a number of other posters that it makes absolutely zero difference if you are wearing a custom made suit, or an off the rack sport coat and slacks from Sears or Goodwill - what matters is that you make the effort to get in the spirit of what is intended to be an upscale dining experience.

 

[cris0809]

For me, PERSONALLY, formal = tux, semi formal = suit, cruise casual = khakis and a collared shirt (with or without a sweater or sport coat), and Friday casual = a nice pair of jeans and a sport coat.

My PERSONAL philosophy is that I prefer to be overdressed than underdressed. If it's the latter, I feel self-conscious, and if it's the former, people will just assume that I have somewhere better to go to afterwards.

...what matters is that you make the effort to get in the spirit of what is intended to be an upscale dining experience.

This post pretty much sums up my feelings. Even though, as a woman, the wardrobe definitions are different, you are very unlikely to catch me in jeans for dinner on the ships. Even in the MDR. Think I've worn them once and it was a laundry/last night issue. It's a special time so I like to feel special. Part of that (for me) is at least being (my definition of) put together.

 

[MrsMork]

A lot of people dress up on formal night not to try to impress others with their wardrobe but because it is one of the few occasions when the whole family is dressed up and they can do group photos, especially when there are children who may normally have to be held down and forced into such clothing under duress. I love to get dressed up (as long as I don't have to wear the high heeled shoes for too long) and will typically have a new dress each cruise but that's just me - I don't get much chance to dress up normally because our lifestyle is pretty casual. If you are respecting the requested dress code, no one cares how much you paid or where you got it. Take the opportunity to get a photo while you are still dressed up; even better if you can get it with a character as it makes the photo much more fun.

And enjoy Remy's. We loved it (except for the wretched high heel shoes which I slipped off under the table - I only wear them on these occasions and while I like a new dress each time I refuse to buy new shoes. Completely illogical I know)

 

[cobright]

I find it hugely interesting to read thru this and similar threads to see how different people interpret the concepts of 'formal' and 'semi-formal'. [...]

For me, PERSONALLY, formal = tux, semi formal = suit, cruise casual = khakis and a collared shirt (with or without a sweater or sport coat), and Friday casual = a nice pair of jeans and a sport coat.

For me Formal = white tie and a tailed dinner jacket; semi-formal = black tie and no waistcoat; informal = Suit and a patterned tie; business casual = slacks, shirt, and tie or a polo; casual = Jeans or cargo pants and a T-shirt

My PERSONAL philosophy is that I prefer to be overdressed than underdressed. If it's the latter, I feel self-conscious, and if it's the former, people will just assume that I have somewhere better to go to afterwards.

Always overdress. Especially at work, so when you show up in a suit it's normal and no one wonders where you are interviewing on your lunch break that day. Rolling into a restaurant in full tophat and tails is an amazing experience. We plan to do this at V&A's on next trip.