Quote Originally Posted by beerbecue
Pardon my naivete, but it is inappropriate to remove your jacket at a formal function?
This is one of those times when what is common place and what is appropriate are not necessarily the same.

However, how formal an event is matters as to how much of a faux pas it is to remove your jacket. Certainly at a white tie event it would never be considered appropriate. At most black tie events it would also be crass to to remove the jacket however in hot weather it may be acceptable if you are wearing a full waistcoat.

Now that said the majority of people dress in formal attire only at weddings and while the rules still apply most people don't go by them. So what should you do...well I tend to go with this advice at a wedding follow the wedding party, it is certainly not appropriate to remove your jacket before they do. If they keep them on then so do you. Other formal events are dictated by the host, if it is quite warm the host should remove his jacket to signal others that it is appropriate to remoe theirs. If he keeps his on, so do you. This is particularly true if this is a business function. However when you get away from weddings and formal occaisions where there is dancing, expect to wear a jacket at all times.