Here’s everything you need to know — and pack — for a festive evening you’ll never forget.
If you’ve ever taken part in a themed night at a resort or party, you know what a special experience it can be. Embracing a thematic dress code for social events enhances feelings of community and festivity while making for incredible photo opportunities. On a yacht, it’s a wonderful way to ensure a memorable voyage for all. If you haven’t participated in a themed night before, you may be wondering what the different themes entail and what you should pack to nail the look.
With a little planning, it’s surprisingly simple to pull together a themed ensemble, and you probably have the components in your wardrobe already. If not, filling in the gaps and finding finishing touches is all part of the fun. Here, we break down the key pieces to pack for themed nights with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Theme: En Blanc
Among the most popular themes is “white night,” where guests arrive in all-white attire, creating a clean, elegant, refreshing aesthetic that’s especially suited to tropical destinations. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection takes the white party concept to the next level adding an elevated spin that befits the sophisticated ambience on board.
To master the En Blanc look, pack an evening ensemble that incorporates as much pure white as possible. More important than formality is color, so while you should keep the evening dress code in mind — avoid shorts, tee-shirts, ball caps, swimwear and flip-flops for restaurant dinners — an all-white ensemble makes even casual pieces look more polished. For men, a simple white linen shirt and relaxed white pants are more on-theme than a white dress shirt worn with a sport coat or dress pants in a darker shade. For women, a white dress, jumpsuit, or all-white separates are great ideas; if you must mix in other colors, keep them as light as possible or as accents. Don’t worry too much about footwear, unless you’re packing a white pair already. Shoes take up valuable luggage space and pairing all-white garments with neutral or metallic accessories still makes a great visual impact.
Theme: Havana Nights
When you think of the ideal Cuban evening, what comes to mind? Lively music, free-flowing mojitos, mid-century glamour, the world’s finest cigars? The Havana Nights theme, popular on Caribbean itineraries, incorporates all these influences and more.
For men, a traditional Guayabera shirt is the iconic Cuban piece, but if you don’t own one, don’t worry. Try a trending spread-collar shirt, available in a range of styles and often with bohemian touches like crochet and embroidery, or a tropical Hawaiian shirt. Pair with lightweight pants, boat shoes or sneakers, and your favorite sunglasses. A summer hat — a beachy Panama, fedora or retro flat cap — is the perfect finishing touch.
For womenswear, think sultry, tropical and sophisticated. Flowing dresses that hug the body but move while you dance are perfect to wear with heels, strappy sandals or wedges, statement jewelry and a sleek evening bag. Off-shoulder silhouettes, dramatic ruffles and slits, handkerchief hemlines, and bold prints and colors all fall into this theme. Finish with a deep red lip and, for extra drama, a folding hand fan.
Theme: Disco Party
Maybe you’re too young to remember the disco days. Or maybe you had a little too much fun at Studio 54, and now it’s all a haze. A quick refresher: A Disco Party theme pays homage to the ’70s with looks that literally shine on the dance floor. For women, think slinky dresses or halter tops in shimmering fabrics like lurex, sequins and lamé. Rock a comfortable heel like a platform or wedge to maximize your “Dancing Queen” moment, and accessorize with big earrings and metallic makeup.
For men, a full leisure suit is not required. Try a clingy top unbuttoned over a gold necklace with flared pants and sleek shoes. The disco shirt is the key element, and you want to go a little kitschy with it. Look for novelty prints or anything that has you saying “ooh, shiny”—think liquid satin, velvet and metallics.