Casual Elegant or just casual...plus photo of wardrobe fail. - YouLookFab Forum

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Casual Elegant or just casual...plus photo of wardrobe fail.

geargirl

Help! I'm trying to pack for a cruise to South America for my 20th Anniversary. The evening wardrobe says "casual elegant". I'm from California, so that means jeans...right? Well, maybe not. Help me decide. Are these outfits appropriate for an evening on a cruise ship? Are the white jeans too casual?
Plus...a photo from my last cruise. Can you see me? Yup, the lady in a graphic tee and a hoody at dinner on a cruise ship. (Plus a skirt so it's elegant amiright?) My husband insisted I go shopping after this. I'm trying to not embarrass him on this trip at least.
Don't miss the Shorky photo bomb in pic #5.

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Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from carambola

carter

Veteran

Pictures 4 and 5 are casual elegant. On the last cruise I took (May 2013) there was no denim allowed after 6 except in the casual dining grill by the pool. Also, they specified no sneakers or shorts in public areas after 6. Don't know what line you're on, but this was for Oceania.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are beautiful and your family is, too.

So are all your outfits. But I am with Carter. The jeans outfits look too casual for a cruise dinner. They look super for supper out at the local pub with friends (or my local pub, anyway). They're definitely flattering, "put together," and fashionable and not in the least scruffy. But when I hear the words "casually elegant" I think of a dress or skirt that I can move in without worrying about the fabric catching on something, and fluid (non-denim) trousers. Your tops and shoes would work perfectly with those items.

The last two outfits qualify as casually elegant to my eye. And you look great.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh -- your pups!!! They are so cute.

geargirl

Carter and Suz-Thank you both! This is what I need to know. If I wore outfits #1-#3 here at home to a cocktail party I would fit right in! It is hard to have a more international perspective. The white jeans might have to stay home.

Anonymous

You are beautiful in all these outfit, but 4/5 look like the only ones ok for dinner. Our cruise was a casual one to Alaska, and even on that one there was no denim allowed for dinner unless you went to the burger bar. Many women wore full length gowns after 6. Your Shorkys are so cute!

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

hmmm...i'm wondering if you could e-mail the company and ask if they have a more detailed dress code? Also, maybe google around, there may be images of people on this cruise/liner on the company's page or just various facebooks, blogs, etc. which could give you a feel for what's going on. HTH and have fun! great looks, those heels are killer on you - and love love love those pups! steph

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The white jeans would be gorgeous for the city walks if it is cooler!!

I live in a super casual town. A university town filled with students and their ex-hippie profs. (Half my family works at said university, so no disrespect is intended by that comment.) Jeans are worn by most people, almost everywhere. At all times. Including many evening parties. I wear jeans almost every single day.

But to me, they still read as "casual. " Maybe "smart casual" -- but not "dress for dinner on a cruise."

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I haven't been on a cruise since my high school graduation, so I don't know what I'm talking about. But I am from California and all of these qualify as casually elegant to me. Does the ship leave from California? If it does, California rules apply, he he. I think the only one that is just a tad more casual is the first one.

MsMaven

Veteran

You could check out the fashion forum on cruisecritic.com
http://boards.cruisecritic.com......php?f=182

geargirl

Joy-You are right. I am always shocked at how many evening gowns show up on cruises! No denim at dinner. For 14 days. I. Can. Do. This!

Steph-oooo...fangirl moment....I LOVE your blog. You are from the Bay Area, right? Jeans everywhere! Actually rabbit had a similar idea from my last post. I googled. Lots of tuxes. Evening gowns. sigh. I think the white jeans are out for dinner.

Suz-off topic-I think I lurked on some of your posts/comments on going grey. I've been growing out/in the grey for about 18 months now. I like it. Thanks!

Parsley

Veteran

You look lovely in all of your outfits, even if they're not candidates for evening wear they'll still be good for daytime. As others have said, #4 and #5 are good for evening. Since you have a black skirt and dressy black pants, maybe you can just add a couple of tops to go with them.
http://www.anntaylor.com/collared-lace-top/333384
http://www.anntaylor.com/pleat.....=cata00001

I also second Suz's recommendation for Kamalikulture dresses. They're packable, flattering, versatile and won't break the bank.
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....?ID=910837
http://www.zappos.com/kamaliku.....ress-black
http://www.zappos.com/kamaliku.....gown-black

I don't think it will take too much to add a little evening elegance to your already excellent travel capsule.

Happy anniversary to you, and I hope you have a fabulous trip!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Love #s 4 -5 they are just right imo. The top in #2 is lovely too Another way to look casually elegant is with fluid pants (a la Eileen Fisher) you could wear your tops or silk shirt or tunic.

anne

Veteran

I have no input on the cruise question, having never been on one. But I like the outfits and they look really put together - you'll be fine for a night out in Australia (not that you are going to Australia, just that I live there!)

Vildy

Veteran

Agree with everyone above but you're certainly not embarrassing your husband - you've got that California gal thing going on (I grew up in Southern California) where you look so pretty and comfortable that you make everyone *else* look overdressed.

leopardluxe

Veteran

I agree with what everyone else has already said -the white jeans feel a bit too casual. I just wanted to add that I love that I'm not the only who is photobombed by their dogs when taking outfit pictures.

My rescue dachshunds love to photobomb my morning pictures mostly because I shoot them right before I take them for their morning walk and they get impatient waiting

Your outfits are fab and your dogs are adorable!

Helena

Veteran

I absolutely love the outfits with the jeans and to my taste, they are totally dressy enough for any occasion ... but I think the group is right that the skirt would be the more "appropriate" bet for the cruise dress code. I hope you get a chance to wear the others out though, they are all so gorgeous!

The dogs are adorable too

carambola

Veteran

What Vildy said. You look beautiful and chic in all of these. They look casually elegant to me, but I have never been on a cruise.