It's after 11 p.m. here and I'm ironing. And improvising.
So, anybody have any tips on what to do when most of your "required" wardrobe is still missing on a flight somewhere? I.E. you will be SEVERELY under dressed?
I hope the queen doesn't mind if my formal business attire is a bit mismatched. I have the suit and the socks, kind of... but there's a problem with these shoes. Um, these boots! They don't match.
And there's the small thing of, shall we say, undergarments. There aren't any.
I just missed closing time at a department store up the street from the hotel. Sigh. Though I did figure that I have 30 minutes tomorrow morning in which to run to get some fresh things before the bus takes us to the ship.
You don't believe the dress requirements? Ha!
Here's the official rundown for civilians. (If you're military of some sort or be-medaled in some civilian way, the list is longer.)
Wednesday morning we begin with informal business attire and comfortable footwear for a ship tour. At least I have the comfortable footwear.
Wednesday evening, formal business attire for a reception dinner. Uh oh.
Thursday morning, informal business attire (see Wednesday - same outfit; sorry, Your Majesty).
Thursday afternoon, for the ship-naming ceremony itself, formal business attire and overcoat. Have the latter.
Thursday evening, formal, black tie, with decoration. At least the tie made it.
Honest - I have - er, had - everything. This was the most organized I'd ever been prior to a trip. I followed all the rules.
Except the line about "with decoration."
But research helps. (Note, as you peruse, that a tastefully pinned-on Christmas ornament or one's entire rhinestone collection don't count.)
http://www.debretts.co.uk/etiquette/orders_and_decorations.html
Is anybody out there so decorated?
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