Cruise formal wear

[Babysharkdoodoodood]

Ugh. Worst part of the cruise is finding something to wear for the 2 formal nights.

It's on a Seabourn ship so a bit posh. It's easy for DH as he just throws on his dinner suit. Me? Size 20 with really dodgy feet so I can't wear heels at all, but equally not too flat because of PF.

My figure is frankly shit. I've had a mastectomy on one side which gives me a bit of a Buddha belly. Cannot wear anything tucked in. I've attached 2 photos to show my usual style. I love colours and I usually wear trainers so I've been toying buying a pair of sparkly Kate Spades https://www.katespade.co.uk/en-gb/shoes/trista-sneakers/K7204.html?dwcolor=ROSE-GOLD.#prefn1=size&prefv1=6+(US+8.5)&srule=priceLowtoHigh&start=1&sz=30&page=1

Daytime is fine as I just throw on a dress, Snag chub rubs and Teva walking sandals. It's the nighttime wardrobe I'm struggling with. I hate sequins and typical cruise wear but don't want to be under/over dressed.

Budget is about £400 for 2 nice outfits as spent most of the holiday money on the actual cruise

Please help.



My size 20-22 formal night cruise wardrobe mostly comes from Chesca.

Forgot the pictures

I've not been on Seabourn, but those look rather more casual than what people would commonly wear on formal night on Cunard. I'd say they're more elegant casual.

No I meant the pictures to show my usual style of dress and figure. These would be day wear.

I don't have much evening stuff.

Monsoon have some stuff that may do,vthey have a few embroidered dresses and maxis

Phase Eight have some nice dresses.

Not too sparkly

Also not too sparkly

Definitely NOT sparkly

Nice but perhaps not right? (Not Phase Eight)

Good Luck in finding dresses/outfits you like and in which you feel comfortable!

I recommend you have at look at Roman, either online or at their shops. Online they even have Cruise wear as an option. They have a curve range too which goes way bigger than you need.
I did try to add a link to the website but couldn’t get it to stay with my post.
Enjoy your cruise.

Watching with interest as I'm going on a cruise in 4 weeks and first time cruising with Princess cruises.

I'm a size 22 maybe 24 in somethings, not able for high heels but don't wear dresses.

I've never been on a cruise but I have picked up some bargain wedding outfits from ebay, one definitely said 'cruising' in the description.

I have arthritis so heels are out but I've been rocking some sparkly boots for a couple of years on and off.

I know not everyone wants second hand but the 'mother of the bride' section on ebay is also good, they have mostly been worn once.

I read this and thought are you me! I'm a 18/20 with dodgy ankles and a mastectomy. We are planning on cruising next year so am following with interest.
To echo others I'm planning on looking at monsoon and roman for long maxi dresses and nice tops. Though my style is more trousers and a nice top. Shoes will be a problem - maybe some nice loafers and I'm thinking sketchers for the day.
Where are you cruising? We want to go to Norway and Iceland.

Crikey, the way you described yourself I wasn't expecting the reality in the photos, you look absolutely lovely, fab figure 😍
I can't link anything as I'm on my phone but I like Chi Chi London for event wear, they go up to a size 26 (use the filter and don't be put off by the skinny girls on the front page)

Oooooh. Seabiurne. Been on a couple of those. You're going to have a great time. I've worn full length dresses but I've also worn 1950's style. So not long but with the full petticoats underneath. It looks fab and it gives you shape too. Try Lady Vintage. I generally go for the Hepburn style.
As someone else said upthread Phase 8 have a nice selection and there's a sale at the moment too. I'm also a big fan of hairpieces to make styling easier. Hot Hair is very good.

Thanks all for some excellent suggestions. Currently have some Phase Eight dresses in my watchlist on EBay.

And handily Roman have dropped a 20% code for dresses. I never saw the cruise area before. I just sent back a pair of lovely chiffon trousers because the cut was so weird.

We're doing the Ancient Mediterranean cruise. 11 nights seeing Greece, Sicily, Turkey and Malta. I've only done a cheap(ish) cruise before with the now defunct Cruise & Maritime when we did the Baltic region including 2 magnificent days in St Petersburg.

I've booked 4 excursions and got my reservation in for the Keller restaurant and am now musing on booking a cabana in the retreat for a sea day. DH has said to go for it, but he won't be joining me. Even more bliss as I can lay around in my cossie all day without being nagged to 'do something'

And talking of swimming costumes, I can thoroughly recommend a good swimdress if you can find one. Even better if they're ruched as I don't need to bother with a foob. They skim over the wobbly bits and hide the thigh tops.

When I was size 20 my go to were Chesca and Phase Eight (who are often v forgiving on sizing)

I wore crepe navy trousers and a cream lace top, red evening bag and navy ballet flats. Some of the below might work.

www.phase-eight.com/product/noname-Piper+dress.html

www.phase-eight.com/product/adeline-double-layer-lace-dress-221168011.html#link=saledresses&blkpoc=hero1&pgloc=hp&golive=280223&cgid=sale-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=221168011&pos=12

@Babysharkdoodoodood Definitely book the cabana. It's lovely. Very peaceful and restful. The staff look after you so well too.

I’ve been on lots of cruises and I’m another one who would suggest looking on eBay.
Ive got lots of dresses on there for £20 to £40 in excellent condition that would have originally been £100 - £200.

I’m in a similar position, though not quite the same. I’ve had a double mastectomy and can’t wear heels due to arthritis. But I’m slim, an 8, which does make it easier. I also like dresses and pattern. I quite like the second Phase 8 purple dress. I tend to avoid plain colours on my top half, and I think pattern is more forgiving. I wouldn’t do lace anything - I think it’s ageing now and dated now. The top Phase 8 black dress is OK…but it’s black and that puts me off.

One of my evening dresses is ever pretty via Amazon the other is pepperberry (bravissimo but discontinued, look via vinted) I'm a similar figure.

I'll be honest, evening dress had widely different interpretations, especially for the women, black loose trousers and sparkly tunics were common. I was on Cunard, same parent company. Only the younger women were wearing what I consider formal evening gowns in the most part.

Wear what you feel comfortable wearing, sparkles seem to means it's formal (even if it's actually jersey) glamming it up with costume jewellery and a wrap,

Ps I didn't have a single sequin!, just buy a wrap with glitter in the fabric from an Asian supplier online , find them on eBay

Also try Vinted. We all have once worn evening outfits that we want to sell.

Love this for instance, with a jacket - and a good bargain. www.vinted.co.uk/women/clothes/dresses/special-occasion-dresses/wedding-dresses/2747771481-new-coral-jacques-vert-wedding-dress-4xl-20

Quite simple - no sparkle but very elegant.
www.vinted.co.uk/women/clothes/dresses/special-occasion-dresses/evening-dresses/1795077262-monsoon-dress

I don’t think either would be right. The top red one is very frumpy and possibly the neckline is too low for someone who’s had a mastectomy -it’s hard to tell. The second one a little better, but the black bow would have to go. Maybe it’s better on.

What about something like this on your feet.

www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=663666619094130&set=a.463116565815804