Thread: What's Your Dress Code Philosophy?

Originally Posted by poetic license

DH did the same for many years. Then his corporation decided to 'make things easier' by going to 'corporate casual' about ten years ago. It didn't make things easier at all, it made them harder, because now we had a closet FULL of suits, dress shirts and ties and wearing them would make him conspicuous. So we had to buy ANOTHER whole wardrobe, which were sport shirts, sweaters, nice flannels and khakis and loafers. But over ten years, what started out as 'corporate casual' slowly and steadily devolved into what I would call 'weekend casual'. About the only taboos left were jeans and shorts. It deteriorated to the point that I couldn't tell if he was going to work, or going to Pep Boys to pick up a case of oil and filters.

A year or so ago (and this was about eight or nine months after the tux buying event, btw), I said something to the effect of how much I missed the days when he wore a suit and tie and how I thought the whole wardrobe 'dumbing down' has really backfired on corporations. He agreed, and said it was actually easier to dress up because he didn't have to overthink it so much, and yes, you definitely get more respect and a better work ethic from those who work for you when the standard of dress is higher. The next day, he appeared at breakfast in a blazer and tie. I was surprised; he did look a whole lot better, though. Within a few weeks, he was wearing suits again. All of his staff thought he was nuts. He told them not to worry, that as long as they complied with the corporate dress code, it was fine by him. Then a funny thing began to happen: very slowly, most of his staff starting spiffing up their wardrobes. It started with things like dressier slacks, sharper accessories and shoes, and sort of ended up with most guys at least wearing a tie and the women in dressier separates and pant suits. Most other divisions were scratching their heads over it .... but they were noticed, and wouldn't you know it? People started treating them with a little more deference and authority ... and a little better, too.

Cheers~

I'm glad to hear it. I think that's great.

THL - On Celebrity, they actually do ask that adhere to the dress code of the evening throughout the ship in consideration of your fellow guest. I know other ships such as those that have Freestyle are likely to not impose such a request. It is one of the reasons we prefer Celebrity.

Poetic - I just saw a new Celebrity commercial yesterday. They had a guy dressed in a Tux acting like James Bond. They said something about seeing how a cruise will affect you! Maybe they do get it!

Askdad - I think your right to one extend. There can be some disparity amongst people as to what constitutes Formal, Informal or Casual. I do agree that there can be some confusion over what the code means such as Informal verses Casual (I really wish Celebrity would use Semi-formal instead). I do know however that the dailies are usually very clear about spelling out the required attire. For those that didn't know before leaving though this is not of help since they are already on board. The people on these boards represent a small fraction of the number of annual cruisers, but also represent a large amount of knowledge about cruising. The average person may not be aware beforehand of the requirements and with the use of online Travel Agents there probably is little opportunity enlighten them about the dress code requirements.

[QUOTE=wannacruisenow]THL - On Celebrity, they actually do ask that adhere to the dress code of the evening throughout the ship in consideration of your fellow guest. I know other ships such as those that have Freestyle are likely to not impose such a request. It is one of the reasons we prefer Celebrity.QUOTE]

It's interesting how many different points of view there are. There is no right or wrong in this case, just a lot of different points of view. That's what's so fun about these forums...hearing all the different ways of seeing something.

I don't personally care if anybody after dinner remains dressed up. It's wonderful to see all the gowns and suits during the meal and watch everybody getting their formal pictures taken...it's sort of like going to the Academy Awards! But after dinner if we go to, say, a comedy show and people around me have gone back to their cabins and changed into their more comfortable slacks and blouses, or dockers and polo shirts...I would never look around and go 'Sheesh...these people are no longer wearing their formal wear...how inconsiderate of them!!'.

But I can understand how some people might like to see everybody around them remain formally dressed all evening...and there's nothing wrong with that.

It's interesting how many different points of view there are. There is no right or wrong in this case, just a lot of different points of view. That's what's so fun about these forums...hearing all the different ways of seeing something.

I don't personally care if anybody after dinner remains dressed up. It's wonderful to see all the gowns and suits during the meal and watch everybody getting their formal pictures taken...it's sort of like going to the Academy Awards! But after dinner if we go to, say, a comedy show and people around me have gone back to their cabins and changed into their more comfortable slacks and blouses, or dockers and polo shirts...I would never look around and go 'Sheesh...these people are no longer wearing their formal wear...how inconsiderate of them!!'.

But I can understand how some people might like to see everybody around them remain formally dressed all evening...and there's nothing wrong with that.

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It's interesting because on one of our cruises, during the Grand Midnight buffet on formal night I was truly impressed that everyone was still dressed for the evening as they walked through the buffet area. Everyone that is except for this one group of people. They were in shorts and flip flops with bottles of bud in their hands. I looked and chuckled a litte, but said nothing and never would. I think they may have felt more out of place than having it bother everyone else. They stuck out pretty clearly, but no one said a word.

I think Celebrity is just trying to create an ambiance as part of the evening. No one is publicly shun or bashed. I think it's just an interesting topic to see what perspective people have on the issue.

I love seeing everybody dressed up as well, and I do dress up (I liked it more when I was thin!!!). My husband never liked getting dressed up, and never will, no matter what he thinks would happen if he wore a tux....he swears when he is tying his tie!!!! He does dress up, tho....we have to go to the dining room.....no casual dining for us, we love our waiters!!! I do like that everyone on this thread is being so openminded and understanding everybody's point of view. These boards are great, aren't they???

On formal nights after dinner, I dress down, not bummy, but the formal comes off and a comfy dressier dress goes on, and Dickie takes off the tie and suit coat!! We go to a lounge and enjoy the evening, then sit on the aft for awhile!! Same on smart casual!! We [ I], love to dress up, in Florida everything is laid back, and I am in shorts and a tank all the time!!

Sue, here in Tucson, it is the same.... not even one restaurant the requires a tie....and if I wore a cruise dress...boy would it be out of place!!!! (Unless I was at some charity thing costing mega bucks.....we don't have mega bucks....)

Just reading through after my post a while back. I saw the mention of formal attire all evening throughout the ship. I can honestly say I have never read we had to do that on any ship I have been on. I have never seen everyone stay dressed up all evening on any cruise I have been on, (Princess, Royal Caribbean, or Celebrity). Dinner and a show and perhaps a drink and then it's back to the shorts for me! I love getting dressed up and think I love even more getting back into those shorts. Since I see so many doing that I have never thought I was wrong to do that.
Was only on one Celebrity cruise but didn't see a lot of tuxes nor folks staying dressed up all evening. Never quite figured out their "informal" nights. Just wore what I had along for the non formal nights...long sundress with jackets or some mumus I bought on the trip! I sure never felt out of place of under dressed.

Houch, I do think that the suggested dress code is for "the evening", on most cruise lines. That being said, if we are in the jacuzzi until an hour before our late seating, we are certainly not in formal attire on our way back to the cabin....or if we stop at the pursers on the way.....and, if I get out of my late seating dinner to see folks in shorts or coverups, I simply assume they are on their way to the pool or jacuzzi....doesn't bother me at all....