What to Wear on a Cruise Holiday: A Colour Me Beautiful Guide
Planning a cruise holiday involves more than just booking excursions and packing sunscreen. What you wear can significantly enhance your experience, ensuring you feel both stylish and comfortable throughout your journey. Whether you’re off on your first ever cruise or a regular, Colour Me Beautiful knows it can be a challenge to know what to pack. Before you set sail on your next adventure check out this guide to packing smartly, dressing stylishly, and maximising your wardrobe choices.
From Bar to Beach: The Essentials
When preparing for a cruise, versatility is key. Your wardrobe should effortlessly transition from day to night, beach to bar.
Daytime Outfits
Swimwear: Choose flattering swimsuits and bikinis that align with your style personality and suit your body shape. If you’re not that body confident look for pieces that offer support and help, give you a good silhouette. A chic cover-up, like a sarong or kaftan, is essential for walking around the ship or heading to a poolside bar.
Casual Wear: When going ashore on day trips or excursions you’re going to want to feel fresh and comfortable. Opt for items in lightweight, breathable fabrics like cheesecloth or seersucker, which are perfect for warm climates. The added advantage of these materials is that they resist creasing and can be worn straight out of the suitcase.
Hats: A foldable hat is a must-have. Brands like Scarf Giraffe offer stylish, packable options that provide both sun protection and a chic touch to your outfits.
Evening Wear
Dresses and Tops: Bring a few plain dresses or tops in neutral or your signature colours. Navy, taupe and teal are excellent choices as they can be easily accessorised to create different looks.
Trousers and Skirts: Choose versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down with accessories. A pair of white trousers or a midi skirt in a neutral colour can be a staple. Team it with tops in your accent colours and you’ll have a variety of looks that can be worn on multiple occasions.
Accessorise to Maximise
Accessories are your best friend on a cruise holiday. They allow you to transform a simple outfit into something spectacular, providing endless styling possibilities without overpacking. Accessories also allow you to show off your personality and can help you to make an outfit your own.
- Jewellery: Pack a mix of statement and subtle pieces. A bold necklace or a pair of chandelier earrings can elevate a plain dress for an evening event.
- Scarves and Wraps: These are perfect for adding a pop of colour to your outfit. They can also double as a cover-up in cooler evening breezes.
- Footwear: Comfortable sandals for daytime, stylish heels or wedges for evening, and versatile flats that can be worn with multiple outfits.
- Bags: A practical beach bag for daytime and a sleek clutch or small shoulder bag for evening.
Dressing Down Evening Wear
One of the best ways to maximise your cruise wardrobe is by dressing down your evening wear for casual settings later in the week. Here’s how:
- Dress: Wear a dress in one of your most flattering neutral colours and accessorise with understated accessories for a sophisticated evening look. Later in the week, swap the tan accessories for red sandals and a casual red belt. Add a simple pendant necklace and you have a chic, daytime outfit.
- Evening Tops: Pair an evening top with a skirt and heels for a formal dinner. Reuse the top with white trousers and flat sandals for a more relaxed, yet polished daytime look.
Style Personality Matters
Your style personality plays a crucial role in your wardrobe choices. Here’s how different style personalities might approach cruise holiday fashion:
- Classic: You’ll gravitate towards timeless pieces in neutral colours. Opt for simple, elegant accessories and high-quality fabrics that never go out of style.
- Dramatic: Bold colours and statement pieces will be your go-to. Think bright sarongs, oversized hats, and eye-catching jewellery.
- Natural: Comfort and practicality are key. Choose breathable fabrics, simple silhouettes, and earthy tones. Accessories should be minimal yet stylish.
- Romantic: Feminine details like lace, ruffles, and floral prints will appeal to you. Soft, pastel colours and delicate accessories are perfect for creating your dreamy looks.
- Creative: Mix and match patterns, textures, and colours to express your unique style. Layered accessories and unconventional pieces will make your wardrobe stand out.
Fabric Choices: Roll and Go
Selecting the right fabrics can make a significant difference in maintaining a polished look throughout your trip. Cheesecloth and seersucker are excellent choices as they resist creasing and can be worn straight out of your luggage. These fabrics are ideal for both day and night, ensuring you always look fresh and stylish.
By carefully selecting versatile pieces, accessorising thoughtfully, and understanding your style personality, you can create a cruise wardrobe that is both functional and fabulous. Remember, the key is to pack smart, so you can enjoy every moment of your holiday in style.
Happy cruising from all of us at Colour Me Beautiful!
Poppy Watt