DETROIT
(Jan. 15, 2009) – For those
interested in high-end fashion, a cruise knows no real “season.”
Exploring different clothing looks to mesh with exotic ports of call
and world-class cruise ships is just another exciting part of the
anticipation and preparation for your escape from reality on a
cruise.
“The notion
of 'fashion-forward' wardrobe options loosely transitioned
to acceptable everyday items is what the phrase 'ready to
wear' is all about. In fashion, ‘resort season’ means making
these 'ready- to-wear' items chic, seasonal, and weather
specific. An opportunity to feel great with how you look
should never be under estimated, certainly not on your
cruise. No occasion is too small for you to feel special,”
says New York’s Valentino Showroom Manager Tim Pare.
M Missoni, Prada,
Roberto Cavalli, and Chanel resort collections are all
popular classic labels for leisure fashion. In addition to
their long shelf life, today’s cruise clothing lines are
more successful than ever because, unlike traditional
cutting-edge fashion, they are more simple and translatable.
The newest and previously unheard-of aspect of the haute
couture fashions? Wearability – pieces that can be
incorporated into a daily wardrobe, not just used for a
limited cruise experience. |
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This wearability philosophy extends to off-the-rack pieces as well.
Retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom’s and
Neiman Marcus offer a plethora of cruise wear options. Also, each
store offers the option of working with a personal shopper.
A useful option is
the Niemen Marcus website, a "virtual studio" in which customers can
inquire about items that are not available online. Consumers can
email their personal shopper, who posts a digital photo of the
product to an online site where the customer has two weeks to view
the image. If they decide to make the purchase, the personal shopper
is available to answer questions and assist – very handy for those
busy consumers who cannot make it into the store.
So where to begin?
Cruisers must consider the following questions when planning a
cruise wardrobe:
- What is your
cruise itinerary? Wardrobes will vary as much as the route of your
cruise.
Alaska
choices will differ from a
Caribbean cruise.
- What cruise line
will you be vacationing on? Ultra-luxury lines like
Oceania
or
Regent Seven Seas
may have different wardrobe requirements than a family-friendly line
like
Disney.
- What type of
excursions do you have planned? A cruise on
Lindblad Expeditions,
an eco-friendly line that partners with National Geographic, is all
about exploration, and recommends the traveler’s wardrobe be
centered around comfort and practicality. If you’re cruising on
Crystal
and plan to visit the Russian opera and ballet, be ready to break
out the evening gowns and tuxes.
Still unsure about
what to wear?
Consider creating a
checklist that details your plans and matches your wardrobe to it.
