Formal gown - long or short?

punk · #1 (**permalink**) May 17th, 2009, 05:33 PM

For my first formal evening I tend to wear a long evening gown and then for the second formal evening I do a cocktail dress.
What are your preferences????

colorcrazie · #2 (**permalink**) May 18th, 2009, 02:25 PM

Personally, I prefer short. Easier to pack. Plus, when young, I had to wear long gowns, so now I don't want to.

I also often go for dressy slacks and top for cruises. But, anything dressy...it's all good.
Marty

punk · #3 (**permalink**) May 18th, 2009, 03:02 PM

I just don't get many chances to wear a long evening gown so I loved it. I've been looking for a new one online though and everything is satin, metallic or just plain sleezy...

whatever happened to elegant?

brad813 · #4 (**permalink**) May 18th, 2009, 03:33 PM

To the ladies in here, this is one guy's perspective: It doesn't matter if it is long or short as long as it looks good on the woman. So wear what makes you look your best.

colorcrazie · #5 (**permalink**) May 18th, 2009, 04:06 PM

We live in Tampa Bay, home of the swingers' cruise and you want elegant?

I would try one of the malls instead of online. Just too hard to know if something will look as good on as it does in a photo.
Marty

brad813 · #6 (**permalink**) May 18th, 2009, 04:08 PM

Hmmm.....I wonder what formal night was like on that cruise.

Donna · #7 (**permalink**) May 18th, 2009, 04:34 PM

Shorter for me, easier to pack and takes less room in the luggage. They tend to say, the second formal evening is more formal than the first, usually there is a cocktail party, but the dress really doesn't matter as long as its formal and you are comfortable in it.

Phil&Liz · #8 (**permalink**) May 18th, 2009, 05:26 PM

Also consider what photos you might want to take that night and if a short dress would make a difference in the pose.

Phil & Liz

LisaK · #9 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2009, 09:05 AM

Punk, like you that is my personal preference, long the first formal night and then a short cocktail dress the second formal night.
I have found some gorgeous, classy dresses thru the Barrie Pace catalog, a bit pricey but try to hit the sales, have also had some really good luck thru the Chadwicks catalog, both have web sites you can check out.

SunnyDaydream · #10 (**permalink**) May 25th, 2009, 03:57 AM

When I booked my cruise I had no idea there was a formal night. Imagine my delight and my boyfriend's disdain when I found this out! It wasn't long before I began dress shopping.

I could not decide on anything but the color... black. I finally went with a floor length gown with some sexy stuff going on in back.

vi reynolds · #11 (**permalink**) June 19th, 2009, 07:27 AM

I personally like both styles. The most elegant, IMHO I'm actually packing for this trip is a very simple ivory cocktail dress which caught my attention because it's very well cut and certainly the most expensive I have but I think I may actually wear this for the supper club instead since it is a little on the simple side.

I do try very hard to stay away from black, which I love, but I have worn so many black dresses in my life! However, I always end up with a black number as well whether short or long. My most plush in terms of looks is a bubble hem halter neck royal blue silk one (short) but I'm not sure if I'm packing that or not. It's a little bit on the extroverted side, not tarty just not something you would wear if you want to melt into the crowd. This maybe good for other evening activities like dancing or going to the casino though, so maybe it'll pack it anyway. I'm packing a teak colour long halter neck also which I will probably wear on one of the formal nights. I'd love to be more creative with colours sometimes but I have natural red hair so a lot of stuff just doesn't look too great on me.

Lovely black dress Sunny, by the way.

Parrot Mom · #12 (**permalink**) June 19th, 2009, 03:35 PM

After years of shlepping two piece cocktail dresses, I finally broke down and bring a pair of palazzo pants.. black..and have several dressy tops I can wear.. Picked up on sale at the end of the season .. a gold knit sweater..which I think I''ll wear with white dressy pants.. Yes, I would love to bring lots of cocktail outfits, but we have to fly to o ur cruise ships.. For heavens sakes I've seen ball gowns on cruises... I too hate the black bit, but since I was never a black person....although have velvet long skirt.. but that doesn't seem to go on cruise ships..You can look simply elegant too with just a simple long or 3/4 length dress and the right jewelry and bag..

vi reynolds · #13 (**permalink**) June 19th, 2009, 10:49 PM

Okay, here comes my expensive but simple one:

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/m...mes to this.:D

april19820 · #14 (**permalink**) July 2nd, 2009, 04:43 PM

I tend to do with my LBD it is perfect for any dinner, I just dress it up with great jewlery. I am planning a mediteranian(sp) cruise and am hoping to take a long formal for then.

katlady · #15 (**permalink**) July 2nd, 2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punk

I just don't get many chances to wear a long evening gown so I loved it. I've been looking for a new one online though and everything is satin, metallic or just plain sleezy...

whatever happened to elegant?

Oh Oh I'm good at this.
These are from Nordstrom.
Kay Unger Tiered Silk Chiffon Gown ($488)

JS Collections Woven Dress with Mesh Skirt ($300)

Okay this isn't full length but I like it. Soulmates Beaded Croschet dress and Jacket ($338)

Adrianna Papell Evening Shutter Pleat Gown ($198)

katlady · #16 (**permalink**) July 2nd, 2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vi reynolds

Okay, here comes my expensive but simple one:

Let me know if the link works I'm hopeless when it comes to this.

This should fix it.