Kenneth Cole's Perfect Dress

Okay, enough with the serious posts.

People often ask me what to pack for a cruise. In general I point them to our guides to packing for a cruise and minimalist packing. But for you, my faithful reader, I will reveal my secret weapon: Kenneth Cole's perfect cruise dress.

Here's why it's perfect...

(1) Elegant
(2) Comfortable
(3) Doesn't wrinkle
(4) Packs tiny
(5) Hand-washable
(6) Warm enough for chilly dining rooms
(7) Can be dressed up or down with accessories

I'm very happy to wear this on formal nights on almost every major line except ultra-formal Cunard or Seabourn (where I think something floor-length is called for).

Cruises aside, it even goes well from day-to-evening if (like me) you dash from meetings to a dress event. I wore it with a structured grey jacket all day at Seatrade, then swapped the wool for evening jewelry en route to the FCCA gala dinner. A member of the (presumably fairly observant) press corps remarked "wow, how did you have time to change?"

Kenneth Cole has the dress on sale, which suggests they're about to discontinue it. I just bought two more.