what do you wear to dinner on formal & semi-formal nights?

[Fleury]

On our first cruise I thought formal meant tux and long gown, but we felt very over dressed once we got in the MDR. Now my husband wears a suit and I wear a nice shorter cocktail dress for formal and semi formal is just a button up and tie for him (no jacket). I found that folks were more dressed up on our longer cruises (Panama, Transatlantic, Baltic) but black tie wasn't standard on the 7 night Caribbeans.

There's no harm in dressing as up as you want, but you might not want to tell the husband that "everyone will be in a tux" like I did.

. I had told him that initially and he was thinking his military mess kit. So I'm glad I can tell him a suit and tie is sufficient

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I like to live by the philosophy that it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

From years and years of empirical research (not), I'm also of the opinion that a guy wearing a tux instantaneously becomes 1000% handsomer in the eyes of their partner, and that every guy who wears a tux has a much better time over the course of the evening, as they get to play James Bond for a night.

 

[sippican]

Depending on your dining rotation, how is formal night if you happen to be in Animator's Pallet that evening? Hard for me to imagine that is has the same atmosphere.

 

[The Sasquatch]

With this new dress code, I am wearing a leopard thong and a mesh half shirt all week!

They said shorts! Didnt say HOW short!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I like to live by the philosophy that it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

From years and years of empirical research (not), I'm also of the opinion that a guy wearing a tux instantaneously becomes 1000% handsomer in the eyes of their partner, and that every guy who wears a tux has a much better time over the course of the evening, as they get to play James Bond for a night.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Depending on your dining rotation, how is formal night if you happen to be in Animator's Pallet that evening? Hard for me to imagine that is has the same atmosphere.

I've worn formal wear (as well as Pirate gear, if it's pirate night) in all the MDRs on the classic ships. The ambiance is what you make it.

 

[mimomlile]

My husband is a very tall, muscular guy and does not own a jacket. Would he be badly underdressed with black slacks, a nice dress shirt and tie to match my dress for formal night? I don't know if I want to spend the money on or time shopping for a suit as he can't fit into off-the-rack clothes typically.

 

[chicagolaw]

Thanks for posting this question. I am packing for our cruise and I keep debating what to pack for our formal night. I really want to pack a floor length black dress i wore in a wedding, but it is really full at the bottom and I feel would take up a lot of space. Does anyone have any experience packing such a full gown, or should I go with my second choice? TIA

 

[Plaid Princess]

My husband is a very tall, muscular guy and does not own a jacket. Would he be badly underdressed with black slacks, a nice dress shirt and tie to match my dress for formal night? I don't know if I want to spend the money on or time shopping for a suit as he can't fit into off-the-rack clothes typically.

Not at all! My hubby is 6'8", so formal options are limited. He does the same thing!

 

[desamnik]

My husband is a very tall, muscular guy and does not own a jacket. Would he be badly underdressed with black slacks, a nice dress shirt and tie to match my dress for formal night? I don't know if I want to spend the money on or time shopping for a suit as he can't fit into off-the-rack clothes typically.

He will look just fine. Honestly, in the 3 DCL cruises we have done, the gowns and tuxes were few and far between.

I've seen some people dressed in such causal clothes, they looked like they weren't planning on leaving their house.

Also, once you are seated and eating your dinner, you kind of forget who is wearing what.

 

[mimomlile]

Desamnik and Plaid Princess:
Thank you for the quick responses!
Added bonus-no jacket means more room in the luggage for me!