Personal Stylist Tells Us 5 Things You Shouldn't Wear On A Cruise

While a cruise should be about relaxing, unwinding, and escaping from the daily grind, failing to dress for the occasion can put a serious damper on the experience. For one thing, wearing the wrong wardrobe can disrupt your vibe; it's hard to get into the vacation mindset when you're wearing many of the same pieces that you don to your office job. But more importantly, inappropriate garments on a ship can actually be a safety hazard. After all, the last thing you need in the unfortunate event of a marine emergency is to be wearing stilettos while you're sprinting to the nearest lifeboat. 

Practicality and common sense play huge parts in appropriate cruise dressing, but the type of cruise you're embarking on can complicate things a little. Your instinct might be to pack your go-to beach clothes for a laid-back time, but what if your cruise has elegant captain's dinners where formalwear is required à la "Titanic"? To find out exactly which pieces you should avoid while also dressing for your cruise's formal night, we spoke exclusively to costume designer and wardrobe stylist Chloée O'Hayon-Crosby of Styled by Chloée, who has plenty of advice for packing protocol and curating travel outfits that are both chic and comfy. As long as you avoid the following no-nos, your suitcase will be ready for the high seas.

Above all, your cruising wardrobe should be light and minimal, and as Chloée O'Hayon-Crosby describes, that applies to the fabric, color, and complexity of your ensembles. "Cruises are usually warm and humid," O'Hayon-Crosby explains in our exclusive conversation. "Stick to lightweight fabrics like linen or cotton to stay cool and comfortable." In particular, it's advisable to leave your denim and wool for more wintry vacations. If you're prone to heat rash or folliculitis, stay away from non-breathable materials, like polyester. Along those lines, O'Hayon-Crosby also recommends steering clear of dark colors for the same reason you would at the beach; these "absorb heat fast," so you'll feel hotter and less relaxed as you're lounging poolside on the deck.

It's also important to keep things simple and breezy when it comes to the complexity of your outfits. "Avoid anything that's hard to take on or off," O'Hayon-Crosby suggests. "You'll be changing often — think swimsuits, excursions, and dinner looks." When it comes to swimsuits, stick to your bikini/one piece and a simple cover-up; there's no need to over-complicate with excessive beach dresses or linen sets to mix and match, no matter how trendy they are. Something like the Bsubseach Cotton Long Beach Cover Up in white is breathable, comfy, and full of chic vacation style. Similarly, while you may need more formal looks for dinners or exclusive clubs on the ship, you can still keep it simple. Opt for a formal dress rather than an elaborate set comprised of multiple garments. Stick to basic tops and shorts or summery dresses for excursions ashore, and leave your more intricate layering pieces for outings back home.

Cruise-ready packing also extends to your shoes and accessories, as not all styles will be appropriate for your time at sea. When it comes to footwear, Chloée O'Hayon-Crosby is adamant that stilettos and other thin-heeled shoes have no place on an ocean liner. "Ship decks can be slippery and uneven, so opt for wedges, flats, or sandals with good grip," O'Hayon-Crosby tells Glam exclusively. You can still pack a pair of heels to go with your formal dress, but opt for a much more comfy block heel to help your stability. The RIBONGZ Block Heels, for example, offer a thicker heel with an ankle strap for the perfect blend of support and style. Otherwise, for excursions and non-formal ship activities, keep it simple and comfortable with flats. 

While we all have dreams of complementing our perfect cruising wardrobes with the right bling, O'Hayon-Crosby warns that excessive jewelry should remain at home. This plays into the idea of keeping your outfits minimal so it's easy to frequently change, but between the sand when you dock and the chlorine of the pool, there's also the chance that your best pieces can get damaged. The other risk, O'Hayon-Crosby explains, is losing your favorite jewelry on a ship that has a million places where you might have to look for it. Unfortunately, all the reasons you may want to leave your jewelry at home for a beach day apply. Rather than tempting fate, go for safe jewelry that's waterproof and secure. Our fingers shrink in cold water, so if you're going to be swimming, swap your rings for bracelets that have a strong latch and can handle the water, such as Dearmay's Gold Bracelets. A good pair of sunglasses and a sunhat can top off your look, but don't go over the top with a rotation of styles. When in doubt, keep your suitcase simple, easy, and practical, and you'll be nearly guaranteed a relaxing cruise.