Evening clothes for cruise - can anyone help please?

[Littlemiss74]

We’re off on a med cruise in just over a week & I’m really struggling to find any nice clothes for the evenings. There are 2 formal nights where you can get dressed up, don’t have to but we thought it would be nice to make the effort but I have no clue what to wear! I don’t have any formal clothes that fit me as I have put on a few pounds since last dressing up pre covid. I’ve trawled the shops & can’t find anything as its all sales & mid season jumble. I would like a couple of nice dresses but everything seems to be floaty maxi style which swamp me & make me look like a busty milkmaid!

Has anyone done a cruise and got dressed up? What did you wear? I’m worried about being too hot as I’m perimenopausal.
I’m 5’3, size 12 & apple shaped. I can’t seem to find a single shop that suits this body & I’m really fed up & tired of spending hours looking & getting nothing.

Would really appreciate any help as getting desperate now!

Unless it's super posh (Cunard), you really don't need to go overboard (no pun intended).

I've been on P&O, Royal Caribbean and TUI and evening wear is usually just a nice top and skirt/trousers, or any sort of dress you're comfortable in. And some decent shoes, not trainers or flip flops.

Absolutely what PP said, nice top and trousers/dress. Asda have some lovely dresses and separates that would do perfectly. I saw saw some “swing” type vest tops (not t shirt material) in there this morning that are very flattering for us larger bust ladies.

For the more formal nights, I bought a posh dress from eBay for £6.

Make sure you take your usual comfy-casual clothes for during the days and enjoy your cruise.

A pair of black trousers and a nice top would suffice. A smart dress would be good. I've been on lots of cruises and very few people dress up to the nines. There are always a few in long dresses and shawl type things but mostly a few older people tbh. Most others just wear smart dress, or trousers/skirt with a nice top and proper shoes. For day wear I tend to wear trousers/skirt depending on weather and sandals with 1 1/2 inch heel. DH wears smart chinos and polo shirt and suit for smarter evenings and proper shoes. During the day he wears deck shoes.

OP also pack something loose as I've put on a few pounds on every cruise I've been on.

Have you got a posh area with charity shops or a second-hand dress agency near you?

Something like this?

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/dulcie-sequin-top-502383310.html#cgid=blouses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=502383310&pos=25

I wear the ubiquitous floral midis or jumpsuits most evenings on cruises. They are very versatile - you can dress them up with heels for the evenings but wear the same dresses with trainers or sandals during the day.

OP, I am also 5ft 3in, and long ago gave up on formal evening wear.
The cruises I have been on were perfectly happy to allow me into their supposedly fancy specialty restaurants in the evenings in a t shirt, casual trousers and comfy trainers!
A lot of cruise lines are American, and their US guests tend to dress very informally on board. The odd woman in an evening gown looked very odd indeed among all the jeans and joggers. “Formal” to them seems to mean no shorts, and men to stick a shirt on.

https://www.decabana.com/uk/joseph-ribkoff-midnight-blue-dress-style-231709.html

This was my recent experience too. Enjoy dressing up if you want but you certainly don't need to.

https://www.decabana.com/uk/joseph-ribkoff-black-multi-dress-style-231107.html

They are usually of material that you can roll up . It’s not creased . It washes at 30 degrees. Does not need ironing.

I think for your shape, shift dresses will suit. If you go on the John Lewis website and look for dresses and then filter to this style. You can jazz a plan one up with jewellery, sparkly scarf, heels etc.

Done a cruise or two and the dress up nights don't really have to be expensive outfits.
Something smart and comfy, bit of jewellery, costume or otherwise, if you want and you'll be fine.

Enjoy your cruise.

I've done a couple & some people really went to town. But cocktail-y was absolutely fine. If it was me I'd do a silky pair of black trousers, a little top and a fair bit of jewellery.

I wore a chiffon overlay full length dress that had a halter neck and a mermaid kick dress that was full length other formal nights I just wore cocktail dresses and also one of those 50 style dresses from Lindy Bop. Have been on a few cruises.

I’ve just got a lovely dress from Coast for my cruise. There’s a sale on with some lovely bargains. Only one formal night on my cruise though thank goodness so only one frock required. I wouldn’t want to dress up any more than that!

You don’t have to dress up or join in on the formal evenings. But, if you decide to then a cocktail dress does nicely. Or a nice pair of evening trousers and a top that can be dressed up with accessories.

I usually cruise with MSC in the Yacht Club and I never join in on the formal evenings. I had enough of it as a military wife and what seemed like endless dinners in the Officers Mess over 30 odd years. It was enough to last me a lifetime.

I do enjoy a late night disco though when the entertainment dept put on a great few hours.

Charity shops could be worth a look if you’re not taken with the current trends. Formal clothes are often really good quality because they’re worn once and donated.

How about jumpsuits? Maybe a wrap style one?

Which cruise line is it OP?