You're going on your first cruise and can't wait to walk along the sun-lit decks in the morning, visit ports of call and dance in the moonlight. The only concern that you have is knowing what is appropriate dress for the evening meal. You're heard that formal attire is a must but you're not sure that you have anything that is considered formal. Should you go shopping or should you just make do with what is in your closet?
Instructions
1. Check out the different dress requirements for cruises before you book your trip. If you prefer casual attire, don’t book a cruise that requires formals and tuxedoes. After all, this is a vacation; you should enjoy every moment of it, including what you are wearing. A good rule of thumb is to wear something that is neither too dressy or too casual for your particular cruise.
2. Plan how many different outfits you want to take on the cruise. If you are flying to the port of call, remember that most airlines are now charging for an extra piece of luggage. To avoid that expense, plan on taking one or two dresses and wearing them more than once. Or take two-piece formal outfits whose colors coordinate with each other. That way you can mix and match for greater versatility.
3. Determine what you are looking for in a dress before going shopping. Beyond how you look in it, consider how comfortable it is. We should no longer adhere to the practice that Louisa May Alcott mentioned in her book, Little Women, “Let us be fashionable or die!” If something looks great on you, but it is tight enough to cut into your ribs, don’t buy it. Also take the garment’s care into consideration. Is the garment easy to clean? Buy dresses made from wrinkle-resistant cloth. Travel Smith sells clothing that is made to be wrinkle resistant for easy packing.
4. Don’t wait until the last week before the cruise to buy your dresses. You want to give yourself plenty of time to shop for just the right dress.
5. Shop on-line for dresses if you can’t find anything in a local store that you like. Be sure to allow yourself ample time to receive the dress and to exchange it, or get it altered, in the event that it doesn't fit.
6. Leave the tag on the dress. Put it on and spend some time in it. Try to imitate all the moves you will make while wearing the dress: Sit down, walk around the house, bend over, dance. Once you are sure it is comfortable, then remove the tag.
7. Buy accessories that are practical as well as beautiful. A lightweight wrap not only dresses up an outfit, it also helps on those evenings when the temperatures are cool.
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