What Should I Wear On a Cruise~A Guide for a (Semi) Fashionable Mom on a Budget

My husband, although he is truly my greatest supporter, can also be my toughest critic.  As much as I’d like to kick him to the couch sometimes, I actually appreciate his candor, and I am sure that there are many times that I would have taken off on some half baked idea if he had not given me the “honey are your sure that’s not your hormones talking” look.

But when I told him that I was going to do a series of “What I Wore” on our cruise, he didn’t even bother with a look.  He cut though the fluff and asked incredulously, “Who’s going to care about that??!?!” 

Thanks, honey, and also please don’t sit by me at dinner. 

Still, he might be right that no one cares at all what a 30 something mom who isn’t really fashionable, but tries not to be frumpy wears on a seven day cruise.  So, we’ll just consider this my little personal diary-a diary I consider to be a personal triumph.   If I manage to string together six days in a row where I wear clothes that did not include stretchy pants, then I want it documented for posterity, thankyouverymuch.

So, if no one reads this and finds it helpful, then I’ll at least have it for me.  But, hopefully a few other moms will see that a mom on a budget can still look stylish and fabulous on a cruise.

P.S. If you don’t think I look stylish and fabulous, please keep that to yourself.  My husband has earned his right to give me grief through years of shared experiences and bank accounts.  You (dear reader) have not achieved that status. I will totally make you sleep on the couch. 

Day One: Embarkation (that’s ship for sailing away) from Galveston

Ralph Lauren Blue Striped Boat Neck Tee, Dark Wash Denim slacks from NY and Co. Cranberry Suede Ballet Flats by Moda, Flower Print Scarf from Target (pronounced loud and proud with a  ‘T’ at the end  Saying Tar-zhay, doesn’t make it sound more expensive.  Trust me.  If you can find a way to make Target look fabulous, own it, baby!)

Outfit Notes: I chose this outfit because the weather was forecasted to be rainy and cold in Galveston, so I still wanted to look spring-y while staying warm.  Instead, we had warm, sunny skies and I was almost too hot.  I definitely did not need the navy jacket I brought along.  I also chose this outfit because it was comfortable and casual enough to make it through the boarding process, but still chic enough to be dressed up for dinner should our luggage not arrive in our stateroom in time.

Day Two: At Sea

Cobalt Blue and White Stripe Ruffle Tee from NY and CO, White Boat Shorts from NY and CO, Blue Flower Flip Flops from Target (I love these shoes so much, I have two pairs) Rockin’ Teal, Cobalt, and Silver Necklace from Target.

Outfit Notes: At home, I never wear white.  Occupational hazards dictate that there is 10.2 % x infinity chance that kiddie grime will find its way to me within three seconds of donning a white pair of pants.  I thought that stepping away from our normal routine would increase my chances, but I kid you not, I had a spaghetti sauce smear on my pants by the end of lunch.   Which just proves that you can take the mom out of the kiddie routine, and somehow a kid will still find a way to use your pants as a napkin and put you right back in your place.

Day Two Evening: Formal Night

Black and Nude Sheer Dress with Lace inset from Dress Barn, Vintage Peep Toe Shoes with Silver Buckle

Outfit Notes: First to get something off my chest~ I do not understand the branding of store called “Dress Barn.”  Why would a woman want to buy anything from barn?  They are rustic and smelly and they are the home of cows.  Get what I mean?

Okay, now that I have my random rant floating out there in the Universe, I’ll tell you about the panic that forced me to the Barn to buy this dress.  On a crazy busy Saturday that found me sandwiched between hosting a baby shower and going to fancy downtown wedding, I suddenly realized that just because it was a shotgun wedding, it wasn’t okay to wear a denim skirt.  In a 10 second panic, I raced through Dress Barn, grabbed three dresses and took them home hoping one would work for the wedding.  This was the keeper, and one of the only nice dresses in my closet that doesn’t have matching Dyeables shoes and leftover rice remnants from its bridesmaid days. 

Day Three: At Sea

Navy blue and key patterned dress from Old Navy, Flowered black brown belt from somewhere long, long ago, Yellow button and shell necklace from JC Penney, Mocha faux leather shoes from Target (these shoes were my staple on our 10,000 mile MOART, so it’s safe to say they are seasoned travelers.)

Outfit Notes: I got nothing.

Day Three Evening: Cruise Casual

Purple dropped waist belted T-shirt dress with flowers from NY and Co., Purple beaded necklace, Silver shoes with gold buckle from Iman.

Outfit Notes: Another great travel dress, and oh so comfy.  Feels like pjs, but looks like presentable clothing.  Score.

Day Four: In Port in Grand Cayman

I wore a swim suit.  There is no picture.  I just can’t figure out a way to take a picture of myself in a swimsuit, and not feel like an idiot.  If you feel like you need a picture or a more detailed description of me in my swimwear, you were probably looking for a very different kind of blog. 

Day Four Evening: Pirate Wear

Black “you can’t wear a denim skirt to a wedding” panic dress from Day Two, white ruffled blouse from Day Ann Taylor Loft,  black and red corset, black knee high boots, cranberry head scarf.

Outfit Notes: There is no reason for the kids to get to have all the fun, so I wanted to have a pirates’ costume for pirate night.  But, I didn’t want to go out and spend money and when I made a cursory look at costumes, I found that the only options came from “Slutty Costumes R Us.”  No thanks.   Some thoughts on wearing a corset: I can completely see how people passed out while wearing these, but I can also see why women wore them anyway.  I felt very svelte and attractive.  Of course, that was before dinner.  After dinner I felt like an overstuffed sausage casing. 

Day Five: In Port at Cozumel

Swim Wear~ See Day Four.  Still not taking swimwear picture, not no way, not no how.

Day Five Evening: Semi-Formal

Black Jersey Dress from Ann Taylor, Vintage Peep Toe Shoes with Silver Buckle from the Thrift Store

Outfit Notes: I love this dress for travel because it doesn’t wrinkle and travels well, and is still comfortable and looks semi-fabulous.   To answer the obvious question: yes, I totally wore spanks under this dress.

Day Six: At Sea

Pleated white, seafoam, and cobalt blue sleeveless blouse from NY and Co., white Boat Shorts from NY and CO, Seafoam green button cardigan from Old Navy, Yellow polka dot ballet flats from Old Navy, seafoam flowered scarf, canary yellow stretch bracelet from NY and Co.

Outfit Notes: I was so grateful for both the cardigan and the scarf on this last day at sea.  As we left the Caribbean the weather changed and it was cooooold. 

Day Six Evening: Cruise Casual

Periwinkle, pleated top maxi dress from NY and CO, silver shawl, silver and purple beaded flower necklace, Silver shoes with gold buckle from Iman.

Today, I am linking up with the Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday.