Dress Codes

[MacLowlife]

I thought YOU were the doorman, MacBug.

[Bugbear]

I thought YOU were the doorman, MacBug.

You've seen what goes on in my threads, MacLowlife, no one would trust me at the door unless throwing me out of it.

[AFS1970]

I am more and more of the opinion that creative and black tie would not be put together. However to say that not everyone has the money to buy classic black tie after having already bought the creative variety is definitely doing things backwards. I have deviated from strict black tie twice, once at my wedding I wore the same green tie (with my PC & Kilt) that my groomsmen wore, it looked OK, but not quite right to my eye. The second time, like I said was at a clack tie preferred wedding in a crowd that had previously been very creative and I was definitely the odd man out. I would have to think long and hard about ever doing it again. In both cases the ties were rentals so there was little expense involved. If I were buying my own tuxedo and I had limited resources, I would go traditional plain black. I would save any future creative explorations for when I had the disposable income to waste on a potentially bad investment.

[CMcG]

It seems that there are at least 3 different levels that one must use to approach a dress code and that the final interpretation should be a synthesis...

The invitation is obviously the first step. If there is an explicit, detailed, and enforced dress code, then one need look no further but if there something short and sweet or unenforced, then a little more thought might be required.

The next point is to consider the host. If one is able to contact them directly, one can simply ask what exactly they are expecting their guests to wear. When the host(s) is not available, unclear, or otherwise not-helpful one might extrapolate based on one's knowledge of them.

The final consideration is the other guests. When one has attended a given event before, or can find pictures from a previous event, that should provide a fairly good idea of how the dress code is interpreted. One might also contact some other guests -- when possible -- to see what they are planning on wearing.

Did I miss anything?

As an example, I continue to be astounded how something as clear (to me) as "black tie" can be interpreted. As previously mentioned, I have another end of term party for exchange students to attend and it has this dress code.

If I go strictly by invitation, I should wear a classic tuxedo. That to me is the straight and narrow of "black tie."

I asked some of the organizers if they intended it to be formal/tuxedo and they said that would be best, but not necessary. They also said they would love for me to wear my kilt again, formally or the way I wore it the last event (semi-formal). I translate that as "black tie optional / national dress."

The other exchange students have been debating it and the consensus seems to be that the organizers are shooting high in order to get the attendees to make a bit more effort. No-one (that I know of) is planning on wearing formal wear, some will wear suits, and others might even just wear a shirt with slacks or jeans (jacket and tie optional). Some of the thinking here is that because the party is for exchange students, the organizers can't expect too much; most students don't own formal wear and some don't even have a suit here in Hong Kong. That sounds closer to "lounge suit optional."

My lass is telling me to wear a black suit with a crisp white shirt and dark blue silk tie...

In the end, it seems like this might have been a good time for "creative black tie." That way a bunch of students could do their best to look good without running afoul of traditional categories, which no-one is apparently going to follow anyway...

[Bugbear]

I don't think they should call it black tie if it isn't black tie, so it is the hosts's defect. I'm sorry I'm so grouchy, CMCG.

[piperdbh]

I'm sorry I'm so grouchy, CMCG.

Maybe it's the sun.

[Father Bill]

I don't think they should call it black tie if it isn't black tie, so it is the hosts's defect. I'm sorry I'm so grouchy, CMCG.

So . . . welcome proudly to the Auld Crabbits!

[Bugbear]

So . . . welcome proudly to the Auld Crabbits!

Thank you, Father Bill, but I already know I don't belong there.

To me, black tie is the classic tuxedo etc., and that is what I would wear if that is what the invitation stated. If it were stated as something else, I believe the US American ethnic garment is any compound cultural garment; such as, the tuxedo with black, polished cowboy boots, or some other form of attire that mixes and blends cultural garments. I have the impression the kilt is off the table for such a blending, though.

[CMcG]

Here is an image that reminded me of this thread. The only problem is that there are no kilts present!

I don't think they should call it black tie if it isn't black tie, so it is the hosts's defect. I'm sorry I'm so grouchy, CMCG.

Bugbear, I think you may have more Auld Crabbit in you than you realize...

[Bugbear]

Bugbear, I think you may have more Auld Crabbit in you than you realize...

Shhh, you'll wake the curmudgeons.

I think I would fit much better in the category of "outsider," but i appreciate the sentiment, thank you. Hope all goes well at the future events, CMCG.