Aida ~

31 Comments

• Nicole D replied 10 years ago
  I really like your choices.  
  #1 Not too much white at all and the white shoes will be OK, I think.  As long as they are not bejewelled or satin, obviously.
  
  #2 - Brunch dress is great as is!  If you wanted to try a skinny belt or clutch in an accent colour, that might look OK too
  
  #3 is very classy and the pants are sexy.  
  
  #4-5 Va va voom!  This looks completely appropriate and cruise worthy.  You look stunning!
• Peri replied 10 years ago

  I love all the outfits but I really like the short dress! I want it for me...I also have a summer wedding...in a backyard, not on a ship!

• MsMary replied 10 years ago
  I think these are perfect!  I prefer the gray topper with the wedding outfit, but they are both just fine!  (My "cruise formal" dress is a lot like yours, only purple!  Fun!!)
  
• Angie replied 10 years ago
  Good job!
  
  #1 - I vote white pointy pumps! Not too much white at all. Just perfect! I like the outfit best with the little cropped blazer. But kimono wrap is just as fab if you need to throw hubby a bone :)
  
  #2 - perfect!
  
  Coctail hour, I vote fancy frock baby! Why not!
  
  
  
• Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago
  Beautiful dressy capsule for the cruise and wedding, Aida! Sorry to hear you're not feeling well, but I must say you're looking very fab in these photos.
  I prefer the gray jacket as a coverup with 1, and I like the gray pumps with the outfit. White will work, too! My only question about this outfit is whether you'll feel it's dressy enough for the "formal dinner" following the wedding. You might want to ask some of the other guests once you get on board, before the event. Your jewelry and the sumptuous fabrics do read dressy enough to me for the formal dinner on an Alaska cruise (I've been on one), but you will also see long dresses.
  Love the brunch outfit, and again, the white shoes will be pretty, and the gray are great, too, if the white ones don't work out.
  I like the pants outfit for the cocktail party. Super classy and lovely on you!
  And the dress is just gorgeous on you. Whether you wear it to the cocktail party or not, you can wear it to dinner one or two evenings!
  I would add the black topper in the first set to the cocktail pants outfit, if you need some arm coverage. Do you have a wrap to wear with the dress in case you need it?
  You're right, you can wear pretty much what you'd wear in a Seattle spring everywhere else on the cruise. As in, be prepared to layer up for chilly or rainy days, and also be prepared for warm sunny days, because you can get both in a week.
  Have a great trip--I'm a little envious!
  
  
• RoseandJoan replied 10 years ago
  I was going to type a lengthy reply but after reading the responses I can now say 'what Angie said'.
  
  Sorry you have been unwell Aida.
• Runcarla replied 10 years ago

  Well chosen cruise/ wedding outfits. I like the grey cropped jacket with the first outfit, but the kimono as an alternative with dress instead of the cardi, and also with the pants outfit should you need a little warmth or cover-up.

  The grey shoes work, and pointy white would be fabulous. Silver could be nice too!

• Jules replied 10 years ago

  I can see I'm in the minority, but I would wear the va-va dress to the wedding, and any of the other outfits to the cocktail dress or brunch. It seems like the most evening and formal of the outfits so therefore the most appropriate for the actual wedding dinner. A cruise ship wedding is exactly when to go bombshell! I love the dress on you and all the outfits are beautiful - you will look fab whatever you choose.

• bj1111 replied 10 years ago

  I would swap the cocktail dress and the first outfit and their events. The wedding dinner seems like a much dressier occasion than cocktails the night before.

  Do you have room for a spare cocktsil outfit, like a short sparkly dress?

• Aida replied 10 years ago
  Thanks for all the great feedback so far ladies! I really appreciate it. Very happy to hear #1 isn't too much white. Good idea on checking with other guests about dressiness, I will certainly do that although I won't be able to until we're actually on the boat (I don't know anyone!). I do worry that the black cocktail dress is going to be TOO dressy+vavoom for the wedding (hubby thinks so too), plus I don't like the idea of wearing black to weddings (I know that's my own hangup, though). So I'd rather not wear it to the wedding, but it's good to know that it's an option in case it ends up uber formal.
  
  Angie, yes I will be needing to keep hubby happy on this one :) Much to my surprise when I showed him the photos he liked the blazer more, although he is think that the outfit is too businessy and is concerned that I won't feel fancy enough for the wedding. I haven't decided yet; I'm going to try a couple other tops later tonight, since he's not sold on the peplum. He really likes the black cocktail dress though, so even if I don't wear it to the cocktail hour (I'll check how dressy that needs to be) I'll definitely find a reason to wear it to something else on the cruise.
  
  Peri, the dress in #2 is from LOFT Outlet (they design different stuff for their outlet stores) and is a very recent purchase. If you have a LOFT outlet near you, there's a good chance they will have this dress in stock. However, it is polyester with a polyester lining so if you live someplace warm it may be worth having the liner replaced with cotton for your outdoor wedding.
  
  BJ, I do have room for a little sparkly dress but am lacking said dress :) I could probably bring the dress I wore in this post as an additional cocktail dress option.
• replied 10 years ago
  I am in love with the dress you have chosen for brunch, it's gorgeous!  And your first outfit is great. I love the black topper with it and don't think it's too jarring at all.  It's contrasting, but in an exciting way.
  
  With regards to the cocktail hour, could you ask other guests what they might be wearing? I love your third outfit, it's simple but elegant and if the rest of the group isn't too formal, then I think this would be a great choice.  However, your cocktail dress is pretty spectacular and if you feel great in it, then why not? I do agree with Jules and BJ though - maybe it is more appropriate for the wedding dinner.
  
  PS - I think your hair looks great.... I wish my curls got that curly!
• Marlene replied 10 years ago
  I went on an Alaska cruise and found that I over-dressed, even for the "formal" events on the cruise.  The dress in #4 and #5 is beautiful but I think its still too formal.  Although, if you really wanted to wear that dress, you could still get away with it.  Just don't be surprised if you were the best dressed lass in the room!  It actually might be better suited for the wedding.  And another little tip:  Bring warm sweaters and/or wraps.  Its cold on the ship even in summer.
  
  My trip on the Alaska cruise was one of the highlights of MY WHOLE LIFE!  It was awesome and one of the best times of my life!  I'm so jealous you get to go!
• Jenava replied 10 years ago
  I think the pants outfit is good for cocktails.  Much as I'd LOVE to see you wear the gown, I think it's too much!
  
  My suggestion on the pants outfit is to glam up the shoes a little more.  Do you have a metallic sandal or pump you could wear?
  
  Love the brunch outfit as-is.  
  
  I think the blazer is too businessy for the wedding.  the cocoon wrap is lovely, but a lot of black.  Do you have a large pashmina style shawl that would work color-wise?  You could tie it like this.
  
  I have no preference for shoe color.  I imagine the white would be nice, as the grey is, and I don't think it's too much white.
• Aida replied 10 years ago
  Thank you Steph, Marlene, and Jenava!
  
  Marlene, thanks especially for the comments on cruise itself. I am excited to go! I had been planning to wear what I wear in Seattle spring weather (which is usually around 50F) so I think I'll be warm enough if I plan around that idea. I don't mind being the dressiest person in the room, except for at the wedding. Not my day, after all.
  
  Jenava, I do have a metallic sandal I could wear with the cocktail outfit (the ones in the first outfit in this post). Would that work? If you believe it, I do not have a pashmina wrap. Unfortunately my only topper options are casual, business, or that kimono wrap. I might be able to squeak in a shopping trip this week to see if I can find anything more suitable. "Dressy event" is probably my most lacking wardrobe capsule :(
• Jaime replied 10 years ago
  Well it has been over 20 years since I was at a wedding on a boat (and it was in Seattle!) and almost as long since I have been on a cruise so I have no idea what you should wear! But I will say you look smashing in every one of the outfits and, wedding/cruise, aside, absolutely love the skirt, the dotty dress and the black and white combination. Anyway, the cruise sounds like a lot of fun and you will absolutely be one of the beautiful views!
• Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago
  Your additional dress option is very pretty on you. It might be nice to have along. It would go with the white shoes, too, right? I like the V in back.
  
• Joy replied 10 years ago

  I would suggest getting g on the cruise company's diet for suggestions about what to bring to wear for the cruise in general. We took the Norwegian line from Seattle yo Alaska a couple of years ago in late August. We were told to think of June as Spring, July as summer and August as fall. This line was quite casual ad there was no dressing for dinner unless you wanted to and most didn't. However jeans were discouraged on some of the restaurants for dinner. Of course the wedding activities call for dressing up but other than that you may not need dressy things.
  I was cold most of the time and wished I had a puffer coat for on deck at Glacier Bay and some excursions. I took a wool hat, scarf and gloves that got lots of wear. May may be winter yet. Just sayin'

• Liz A. replied 10 years ago
  Aida, you look amazing in the first outfit with the grey topper.  I would think for a wedding though you would want to go fancier.  I would think cocktail dress for that evening (it's my understanding that cocktail dress means short.)  I'd stick with the pants rather than the formal gown for the cocktail hour, and I think you will be spot on.  Have so much fun on the cruise!
  
• Marley replied 10 years ago
  The only one that I would question is the wedding outfit.  To me, it looks to "businessy" with the beige jacket, and the black topper looks too jarring to me.  How about a taupe or ivory or cream flowy type of top instead!
  The others - I think are perfect!
• bj1111 replied 10 years ago

  How sweet of your hubs to put your need to feel appropirately dressy before his preferences.

  I do like your anniversay dress. Heels, jewelry and it's great option if cocktails prove to be more casual.

• Suz replied 10 years ago
  So sorry you haven't been feeling well, Aida. 
  
  As usual, your outfits are so carefully considered and so great. Adore the brunch one and the pants outfit for cocktails! But I do worry that the wedding outfit is not dressy enough -- though that might be wrong - if there is any shine or texture that we can't make out in those fabrics it might be absolutely perfect as is. With the pointy toed white pumps. 
  
  I do think Joy may have a point about the weather, though...you will need warm covers if you are outdoors. Don't want you getting sick again! 
• Karie replied 10 years ago
  I prefer the gray topper with #1, but I do question whether the whole outfit is dressy enough for a wedding. I wouldn't swap it for #4, I think that's too dressy for a wedding. I like all your other outfit choices - I don't know what to wear to a cocktail hour, if there's room in your suitcase I'd bring both outfits.
  
  DH and I went on an Alaskan cruise a few years ago, and it was my favorite vacation EVER! The scenery is spectacular. If you're stopping in Ketchikan, contact Seawind Aviation and book a float plane ride through Misty Fjords. Ask the pilot if you can sit in the cockpit with him - he'll let you. It's breathtaking!
• kellygirl replied 10 years ago
  OMG, I have nothing to add except to agree that you look stunning and appropriate in all of these. I don't remember our cruise as being that formal. There were people dressed in degrees of dressiness--it was all over the board, to be honest. I prefer the black kimono jacket with the wedding outfit. The contrast looks intentional and I think the blazer looks fab but does look  kind of office-y for a wedding. I LOVE everything else including the bombshell dress. SO gorgeous. You look like a dark haired Marilyn Monroe. 
  
  Hope you are feeling better too!
• Angie replied 10 years ago
  Aida, you have time to mull things over and MANY k-word worthy outfits to choose from. It's all going to work out whatever you decide to wear, and you'll look like a million bucks :)
  
• Jules replied 10 years ago

  I was kind of wondering in the back of my mind if you felt the long dress was too sexy - that is valid. It's best to feel comfortable with your choices of course :) And you do look amazing in that dress.The dark-haired MM comparison is very apt!

• Day Vies replied 10 years ago
  I think how you're using white is more than appropriate. I really like that gray cropped jacket outfit in #1 I also think the jacket would look wonderful with the dress in #2. I think the dress in #2  looks best without the white cardigan but because you never know about the weather you may need something to cover your arms. I love #3 especially with the white purse and cheetah pumps -- perfect!  I think the dress in #4 & #5 is too formal for cocktail hour especially if the group is casual. if it were shorter (above the knee/midcalf -- for the high/low effect) I think it would be perfect. Have fun!
  
• Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
  Aida - I'm ridiculously late to this thread (hubby and son were hogging the computer yesterday - lol!) but still wanted to chime in and say you look gorgeous in each of these outfits. You can't go wrong with any of these.
  
  And I'm sorry to hear you are still not feeling well. Hopefully you are on the mend :)
• rae replied 10 years ago

  I couldn't see this well on my phone, so I'm super late now. But I wanted to add that I like all versions of #1, with 1.2 being my personal fave. I don't think the white is a problem; no one will mistake you for the bride in your tailored look. Of course it does depend on the level of formality of the wedding. There is sooooo much variation here in CA that I really can't say if it is dressy enough. Can you find out more about what others will wear? No concerns from me with #2 - FAB. For cocktails, I'd wear the black dress, but again the ladies bring up the formality issue. I would *think* that the wedding would be dressiest, followed by cocktail, and brunch the most casual. But what do I know? I think the last time I had a cocktail out was when we closed down PF Chang's!

• Aida replied 10 years ago
  Thank you all sooo much for your feedback everyone!! I am incredibly grateful. This type of fancy event dressing stumps me, because my wardrobe is lacking, but I am feeling much better. I'll bring my anniversary dress as an additional option; it'll be a great fall-back piece if I need it.
  
  Re the wedding outfit, Suz brings up a good point about not being able to see some of the texture/shine. The skirt is heavily textured, but lightweight, and has gold threads running through all of the light sections. So it does sparkle subtly. The issue hubby has is actually with the top; he thinks it's too casual because it's knit (ponte I think, pretty substantial, with a very subtle sheen). I had been hoping to find a lace peplum top, but wasn't able. The blazer is a normal woven, no texture nor shine, and the kimono wrap is a silky knit with sheen. Not sure if all that changes some of your minds about the dressiness of outfit #1. If I get any time this week I'm going to look for an alternative blouse OR topper (probably can't budget in both), but not worry too much about if I can't find one :)
  
  Angie, thank youuuu! I will stop freaking out <3
  
  Joy, Kelly, and Karie, thank you especially for sharing your experiences with your cruises. It's good to know it was still quite cold for you Joy, I'll be sure to bring a heavier coat, hat, and gloves for outdoor excursions. Karie, thanks for the Ketchikan recommendation I'll definitely check that out.
  
  Jules and Kelly, teehee ^^ Thanks for the MM comparison, I do feel like that in the dress (which is fun!). I'm comfortable in it, just not for this wedding.
  
  Rae, that was probably the last time I went out for cocktails too! We need do that again :)
• sarah replied 10 years ago
  Aida, just wanted to chime in about how effortlessly stylish you look in all of these. I can't believe how much effort it took for me to come up with a single wedding outfit, and here you've managed to throw together four and look amazing in every one. I love them all. I must say, my breath was taken away by that black dress. Holy cow, Aida - you are gorgeous in it!
• rae replied 10 years ago
  I like the idea of bringing the backup dress. 
  
  Oh, and thanks to you, I now always keep a bottle of X-Rated in the fridge. :)