Neat summer jackets?

[BorneoBound]

If you are going out somewhere nice over the summer (when the weather is reasonable anyway!) and wearing a dress, what do you wear over your shoulders for a chilly evening? I'm holiday shopping for our cruise in October - daytime weather I would expect to be low 20's but obviously dropping in the evening, especially out at sea. It's dressy casual most evenings and I'll probably wear dresses most nights for dinner, but I have no idea what to wear over my shoulders. Is there a neat summer jacket that might go with dresses? All I seem to be able to find is denim jackets which won't suit. I could go with a cardi I guess, but it feels a bit too casual again. Any suggestions?

https://www.qvcuk.com/Nina-Leonard-Curved-Edge-Scallop-Hem-Sleeve-Pointelle-Crochet-Bolero.product.193646.html?sc=SRCH

I bought this in black , exactly the same as you , cruise in Oct where I will want something to cover my shoulders in the evening but not too sparkly . It's cotton/poly blend

Short sleeve cropped shirt. They are great in place of a cardigan, I have them in all colours to match various dresses, H+M and (whisper it...) Primark purchases. Nice fabric too.

Cropped linen shirt - Light beige - Ladies | H&M IE (hm.com)

This is really nice in real life - Mint Velvet zip lace bomber jacket

Thanks all - off to investigate all of these ☺️

That's really nice. Hobbs used to do similar decades ago which I wore over dresses in the office instead of a cardigan. They haven't done them for years. That's more stylish than the Hobbs' version.

To my great surprise (and delight!) I have had many friends etc. ask me where I get my "cover up" shirts from. I was searching and searching for an alternative to cardigans which just don't work on me and eventually found these. They are very versatile and inexpensive too, which is a bonus!

I've got a couple of those H&M cropped shirts and really like them, but they're definitely more casual than 'dressy casual'.

Yes I know what you mean, but "dressing up" is not such a big thing anymore I reckon. OK for sure be neat and tidy, but everyone's sense of fashion and fun is different.

OP is going on a cruise, but I don't think even in that scenario that the "dressing up" nights are anything like they were in the past. People are wearing much more comfortable and smart casual now I think. And that is a good thing too!

I was just referring to the OP saying 'dressy casual' - no idea what that means tbh, but to me the shirts are 'casual casual' and not at all 'dressy' in any sense of the word.

OK, they are casual but very useful too. I wore one of my ahem, shirts over a midi length dress as a guest at a Graduation ceremony. Felt very comfortable and looked smart, maybe it was the colour combo I don't know. The Dean didn't raise his eyebrows at my outfit anyway!

Phase Eight have a few jackets that are cut like a bolero that might work. Also if you are going to be wearing strappy dresses in the evening a bolero cardigan might work. I have a black one that I sometimes wear over a balck spaghetti strap dress and it creates a really nice neckline that looks a lot more elegant than I'd expected.

The Hobbs ones I had were casual if worn buttoned with jeans or unbottoned on top of a t- shirt with a skirt or jeans but became dressy if worn unbottoned over a dress. Definitely smarter than a cardigan.

OP is going on a cruise, but I don't think even in that scenario that the "dressing up" nights are anything like they were in the past. People are wearing much more comfortable and smart casual now I think. And that is a good thing too

Dress up on cruises can be very dressed up , we were surprised when we went , on the Formal Nights people were in proper evening wear and sparkles . Even on casual nights there was lots of evening glamour .

I am already planning for October !

Have a look on Vinted. Good quality, branded jackets at bargain prices, probably because we all buy them for that ‘one occasion’.😉

First one I saw, perfect style - maybe not your size ( there will be others) but Phase Eight -£7.00 plus postage ( and open to offers!) https://www.vinted.co.uk/women/clothes/suits-and-blazers/blazers/3297906422-phase-eight-whitecream-cropped-jacket

£8.50
https://www.vinted.co.uk/women/clothes/other-clothing/3208763863-bolero-jacket

Satin bomber?

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/satin-cropped-bomber-jacket-p04432771.html?v1=293629636&v2=2290751

Hobbs -£7.00 plus fees and postage. https://www.vinted.co.uk/women/clothes/suits-and-blazers/other-suits-and-blazers/3181202346-hobbs-red-short-jacket

Nice!