Wardrobe
For many, cruising is more about the once-in-a-lifetime diversion, fantasy, or escape from their normal lives. For a few days or weeks, they can relax in catered plush surroundings, a variety of dining options, an array of novel experiences & new acquaintances, & interesting shore excursions. A lifestyle they don’t normally enjoy.
a. How stylish must your wardrobe be?
1) An overly-fashion conscious tourist may sense a social need to make multiple clothing changes each day, every day, 
Anecdote: MY solo traveler's perspective: Resist the belief that others gauge your travel skills or character & status based on your luggage & wardrobe. I never dwelt on others. If they dwelt on mine, it was none of my business & I didn’t care. I doubt anyone, but pickpockets do care.
2) BEST STRATEGY: be a Fashion Clever Traveler: with a ”capsule wardrobe.”: a mixable minimalist, interchangeable wardrobe of essential, versatile clothing items that can be mixed & matched, …. creating a variety of outfits characterized by:
a) Versatility: Each piece mixed with multiple other items
b) Quality Over Quantity: that lasts longer and maintains their look.
c) Timelessness: not trendy, but simply indefinitely stylish.
d) Neutrals with Pops: neutral color base & variety of accent items.
Nordstrom: “WHAT IS A CAPSULE WARDROBE?”https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/content/blog/capsule-wardrobe
The more travel experienced you become, the more you whittle down & refine
what you carry to the bare essentials.
Quotes
“Take half the stuff and twice the money”, Susan Heller.
“Avoid superfluous wardrobe redundancy, fashion is fatuous.” (me)
Anecdote: Hiking the Camino de Santiago: over the Pyrenees
into Spain, I passed a powerful young man, perhaps 30 years younger than I dressed like a WWII soldier with a large rucksack …. 2 to 3 times as large as my day pack. Terribly overloaded.
I said, “Hello” as I passed, and he responded with a simple nod. The next day I passed him again, saying, “Hello”, and his response was an UNfriendly look, a curt nod & grunt. I never saw him again.
b. What special or semi-formal activities, if any
Many may cruise to fantasize themselves a part of the wealthy & celebrity lifestyle. They may want to live, albeit briefly, in late 19th C to mid-20th C’s "Golden Age of Ocean Liners" crossing oceans epitomized by the ill-fated Titanic’s zenith of elegant pampered luxury.
Most cruise ships allow you to avoid business or formal attire by simply avoiding the activities that have dress codes e.g. casual dining venues & off-peak casino times, etc.
However, a more formal cruise ship lifestyle does require a larger wardrobe of
formal ensembles for several reasons.
Formal or semi-formal Events
Formal Nights: some designated formal or semi-formal/biz exec events (men’s suit or tux, women’s evening gown or cocktail; gala dinners, captain's receptions, or themed balls.
High-end Specialty Dining: may enforce formal dress code; check package description.
Main Theater Performances: ship's main theater shows: smart casual or elegant attire; check package requirements.
High Tea: attire leans towards more ‘traditional’ formal or smart casual.
VIP Events & Private Dining: Exclusive events: business casual to black tie depending on event's theme or guest's status.
Casino Evenings: daytime casual, but ‘more’ if high-stakes or contest.
Gala Events or Themed Parties: elaborate or period-specific attire.
Welcome & Farewell Receptions: smart casual or semi-formal
Onboard Weddings, Ceremonies: depends on wedding's formality.
Captain's Cocktail Party: formal or semi-formal to ship's captain meet.
To be bluntly honest, these kinds of dress-up fantasies are so alien to my nature & persona, that I cannot treat such ‘pretend games’ seriously, …. but you might.
3) Specialized Clothing & Equipment.
Specialized Clothing & Equipment
Water Activities (if not provided): PDF (life jackets), (snorkeling/diving
mask, snorkel, fins, ‘reef’ shoes; fast-dry clothing & swimwear)
Adventure and Sports: (climbing walls, zip lines, surfing simulators):
non-restrictive clothing, non-marking shoes. Check package
requirements.
Fitness and Exercise: (gym, yoga, spin classes):
Clothing: moisture-wicking, layered shirt/vest/jackets (rain), hiking
boots (broken-in for comfort), long sleeve shirt, lotion & hat.
Equipment: whatever enhances your workout.
Spa & Wellness: (saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs):
Bathing suits: but NOT OK in saunas/steam rooms. Use towel
Flip-flops/spa shoes: to protect feet from hot surfaces.
Shore Excursions: (e.g., hiking, biking, cultural visits):
Clothing: layered shirt/vest/jackets (rain), hiking boots (broken-in
comfort), long sleeve shirt, lotion & hat.
Equipment: daypack, water, insect stuff, sunscreen, & trekking
poles.
Themed Nights: (even if informal): costumes, etc.,
My solo travel practices:
(The following text is a succinct version of the following link: [pplk: $14 SIT Wadrobe & Equipment]. Need to / from links
WADR, I have little regard for other people’s opinions of my dress style. Rather, I choose wardrobe items that are 1) culturally respectful, & 2) whatever adds to my safety, comfort & ease of solo travel.
In all my travels, NO ONE ever seemed to notice or care. My ‘old-guy, foreigner’s’ persona was, perhaps, of far greater interest.
Remember, you are one of the millions traveling the world ostensibly to discover other cultures, etc. WADR, you or I, are not Queen Elizabeth on her world Cruise of the colonies.�
My solo traveler's practical wardrobe considerations: OK, at 80, its not a pretty image, but it worked for 20+ years. �
a. safety: modified to hide lots of money
b. comfort: all kinds of weather & climate
c. culturally respectful: NO ONE ever voiced concern.
d. necessity: truly necessary & Might Become Necessary:
e. washing ease & quick drying: overnight
f. all around utility: Cargo shorts/pant’s multiple pockets, belt
w/ cash, hand sanitizer, compass, & a mini-flashlight.
g. all weather conditions: layered shirts, vest jacket (rain/snow)
Anecdote: 3 seasons CdeS trek wardrobe: My late summer early Fall CdeS trek had to anticipate August’s central Spain’s rainy/foggy rolling-hilled vineyards PIK: cloudy vineyards TO the Meseta Plateau’s chilly September early morning starts (6 am) & blistering hot treeless afternoons TO the west’s high plateau’s cold Fall mornings & lovely middays.
In following YouTube video, I pause along a forested trail to strip down to my shirt & strap my jacket on top of my daypack.
h. anticipated activities: hiking, trekking poles.
??? why 2?
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