Deciding what to pack for a cruise is easy until you have to put something together for a formal night on the boat. Cruise formal wear is a simple concept but can be intimidating when the basics aren’t understood. Do not worry, these simple tips will help you be ready to set sail in record time. What Type of Cruise Formal Wear You Will Need The cruise itinerary or dinner invitation will say what kind of formal night you can look forward to. If you cannot find this information, call the cruise line. Knowing this information will make things easier when you are putting together a cruise wardrobe. If your itinerary or invitation says “Black Tie” you are expected to wear a tuxedo. If it says “Black Tie Preferred” then like the statement suggests the host of the party would like to see most people in formal wear. Most guests will probably be wearing tuxedos and various styles of gowns. “Black Tie Invited” or “Black Tie Optional” means a tuxedo is optional. You will probably see a mixture of tuxedos and dark suits. You may decide to wear a well made dinner jacket to this type of event. If the event is “White Tie” it is very formal. You wear black tails with black trousers, a formal shirt, bow tie, and a vest. Women will be wearing mostly long gowns. Buying a Tuxedo or Suit Sometimes it is necessary that you buy a suit because you don’t have one or it does not fit you correctly anymore. Sometimes you just want to buy a new suit for a special vacation. Planning your cruise wardrobe is a great excuse to go out and get a good fitting and buy the suit or tuxedo that you really want. You should dress for your build. A professional fitting is a must if you are spending a significant amount of money on your formal wear. Feel the fabric of a variety of suits. You should be able to squeeze it and feel that it has some body. Tailors call this “guts”. The fabric should show no sign of wrinkling and bounce back into shape immediately. Work with your tailor to find the best suit, tuxedo, and/or dinner jacket for you. Ask a lot of questions and take your time. Be sure to enjoy putting your best foot forward in your new formal wear while aboard the ship.