Dress Codes

[Jock Scot]

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) holds a few parties each year for exchange students. The dress code on the invitation is: semi-formal / national costume

What would you wear? The VC is not available for comment and his representatives at CUHK are not well versed in interpreting dress codes...

Here are pictures from one of these events held earlier this year showing the actual range of formality. Unfortunately, no kilts at this one but I'm changing that at the next one!
http://www.cpr.cuhk.edu.hk/en/events...il.php?id=14&s

Oh dear, I doubt if I am going to be too popular here!

This post is proving my point about hosts not knowing the correct terminology either, just what is semi-formal supposed to mean?So do your research, there must be people around who know the form at this particular event and go from there. What would I do as a Scot in this circumstance without inside information? Actually I don't know and I can't see the pictures to help me! You have a choice, Black tie ,or tweed day jacket and four in hand tie and I think I would go with the latter, with minor adjustments for the climate. BUT--------------

You also have a problem! You are, I think, not a Scot, so the option of wearing the kilt as your national attire is not open to you . Sorry, but that choice is not available to you and you are laying yourself open to criticism if you do wear the kilt, in my view.

Why? One's credentials are all important , particularly in the academic world, so demonstrating to one and all that you are a poser is hardly a wise thing to consider, now is it? I can see the conversation now:-

VISITING SCOTS PROFESSOR: "Ah a fellow Scot eh? What part of Scotland are you from?

YOU: "Er, um , well---- actually I am not a Scot, I am a -------"

V S P: "Oh-----and what are you studying/what is your field?"

YOU: I have a first in intergalactic ballistics and I am studying for a Doctorate"

V S P: With scarcely concealed sarcasm as he starts to walk off: "Really."

What he means is; REALLY?