Accessories To Pack For A Cruise
It never fails that when we travel, wardrobe fatigue sets in very quickly. I bring it on myself by traveling with very small bags, but the risk of lost luggage prevents me from doing otherwise.
I wear scarves more often when I travel because they help me switch up the look of basics, protect my hair from getting trashed on a windy bus ride, and cover my neck when the sun feels too strong. This little blue one is getting worn more than the others because it perks up gray, which I’m wearing ad nauseam. I spotted it at Banana Republic months ago but waited until it went on clearance to buy.
CHIFFON
A few of you mentioned that large cruise ships often have “dressy” evenings, and it turns out we are! I don’t go overboard for these sorts of events, but I tossed in a long pleated chiffon skirt at the last moment, and it has served me well. It’s also brought back many fond memories of how differently I once dressed.
Many ladies are wearing full-on sequins for these evenings, but this old pull-on skirt fits the bill because it’s black, it’s long, and it’s chiffon. I haven’t worn it for at least 8 years, and it has survived over 20 years of closet cleanouts. In recent years, tulle skirts became the rage. I wanted one but never found one quite right because its stiffness felt over the top for me. I realize now that this softer chiffon is more my style because it’s more subdued.
I used to own many pieces by Babette, and sadly, this skirt is my last of her pieces. After almost 50 years in business, Babette liquidated all her clothes and closed her doors in 2016. Now that I’ve begun wearing this skirt again, I realize I want to find a similar brand. Her clothes were modern, sophisticated, unique, easy to wear, and artistic. Hmm…I have my work cut out for me.
Is there a style of clothing you used to wear that you’d love to bring back into your style recipe?
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what puts a smile on your face:)
I am a fan of PONANT, a French cruise line, with maximum just 180 passengers on their Explorer ships , with all suites having balconies.
As a returning passenger, a bonus is having laundry done ( not dry cleaning). Especially nice, on a week long voyage, to have my nightie laundered, as well as some other intimates, and a couple of tops.
The ads show elegant models wearing lots of linens in tans and whites, but in reality , passengers wore a lot more colour, and weren’t quite as slim!
The dining room is less casual for dinner than other meals. I wore a couple of colourful kimonos ( one was a reversible blue from Chico’s purchased after seeing an earlier post of yours, Jennifer ) which worked well with coordinating tops and pants, and a dress in black and cream with strappy black sandals worked for the Black and White evening. Some men wore blazers , but many opted for just a smart shirt and tie. These evenings are listed in the cruise information, if one wishes to plan ahead for packing.
Our Caribbean cruise in March ( Barbados to St Lucia) will call for lighter, casual, colourful clothing, but I will pack the two black and white dresses purchased three years prior, before the pandemic happened and this particular cruise was twice delayed. Finally out of their bags! 🛍
Enjoy fall in the Maritimes! Hope you explored Lunenburg… such a gem!
Our ship didn’t stop at Lunenburg, sadly. Thanks for the tip about Ponant. It sounds right up our alley for cruising. Laundry service would sure be nice! Have a great trip!
It was smart to hang onto your skirt.
It’s fine to clear your closet out, but formal wear should have different standards for the Goodwill bag. If it doesn’t fit anymore, if it was uncomfortable to wear, if it’s associated with an event you never want to think about again — it’s out. Otherwise hang onto it!
I got rid of the dress I wore to my Son’s wedding back in 2016 after they split up. He’s getting married again this Fall and I went looking for dresses and found myself drawn to nearly the same dress I got for his first wedding. If I’d known happier days would be ahead maybe I’d have kept that dress around.
I totally agree about formal wear and the goodwill bag. Congratulations on your sons wedding!
Hi Jennifer, I hope that you are having a great time on your trip. I was wondering how you like your face mask that you decided to purchase for the trip. I’m traveling next month, and I was thinking of ordering them, but I wanted to hear your opinion.
I love it! In fact, several people commented that it matched my outfit 🙂 I like the I can fold it flat to slip into my purse when eating and it keeps the face section clean.
I always have a checked bag when I travel. I’ve been fortunate and never lost a piece yet. I do carry a backpack with necessities. I find a black sheath dress with a couple of different evening jackets takes me through any dressier occasions. I do prefer cruise lines without a formal night. I spent too many years wearing an evening gown to functions and simply do not want to that anymore. I still like to dress nice for dinner every night. My favourite cruise line for River cruises has been Scenic. For ocean cruises it is Viking. I prefer the smaller ships without hordes of people. The service is better, no children, the food outstanding, no problem getting a table at the specialty restaurants and the staff gets to know you which won’t happen on a bigger ship.
I hope you are enjoying your time aboard the ship and in the Maritimes.
I had a pair of wide leg chiffon overlay pants that I wore to many formal events. They made it through so many closet clean outs! Your skirt is the same idea!
Yes!! Your pants sound like the perfect solution for formal events.
When I lived in the Midwest and shopped at Dillard’s, I would always see the pants you are describing in either black or navy blue there. Just giving this shout out to try Dillard’s. If you don’t see them this month, maybe check next month as it gets closer to the holidays.