semi formal?

[Bryan]

I'm also going to see the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards next month, but in Fort Worth, TX. I'm wearing my Matheson Red with a light tan wool sweater and matching hose (and Matheson Red flashes).
Dean

I'll be there too!

[pipesndrumsnun]

I LOVE it that men stress over what to wear and give each other advice on what to wear!! You guys are GREAT!!

[sblanck]

I LOVE it that men stress over what to wear and give each other advice on what to wear!! You guys are GREAT!!

Thanks! Personally I think we have become a nation of slobs (U.S.) I can't take my wife anywhere nice without seeing some people in jeans. When I was a kid Steak and Ale was a somewhat nice place but now its shorts, flip flops, and tank tops are to be expected. At my office I noticed people wearing jeans every day yet the HR manager had to think about whether my kilt was okay. Are you kidding me? when did levi's become nicer than a good kilt!?

Sean

[James MacMillan]

Are you kidding me? when did levi's become nicer than a good kilt!?

That was when we accepted an glorified the people on TV who wore and wear jeans with a tuxedo jacket. This slobification is not only in the US, but it is worldwide. People just don't dress up like they used to.

It's also why I no longer feel obligated to ask about wearing the kilt anywhere!
It's what I wear! people can accept it or regect it as they want.

[SFCRick]

I LOVE it that men stress over what to wear and give each other advice on what to wear!! You guys are GREAT!!

[Highland Logan]

I'm glad I'm in good company here..

Frank

[McMathTX]

I'll be there too!

Cool! What'll you be wearing? Maybe I'll see you in the masses.
Dean

[Highland Logan]

Originally Posted by McMurdo
Well in that case I guess you could go for a dressy/casual look you would still look better than most theater goers these days it's amazing what people think is proper dress these days.

I agree with this statment... but even here on this board there is the same problem. As Chef says in his tag line

Disclaimer - I have been tried and convicted as a "Kilt Snob" so please be aware any statement I make may be biased towards tradition and good taste. LOL

... I too tend to frequent this point of view. I would suggest that anyone wishing to wear Evening Dress, read "So You're Going To Wear The Kilt!" by the late J. Charles Thompson, F.S.T.S. I would also recomend this website The Essential Black Tie Guide. This site answers many of the questions on why proper formal attire is going the way of the dodo. But to sum up the answer it's laziness and lack of respect (read selfish) for other and their experience during an event. We see this in the form of these answers; "I don't have time", "I don't have the money", and my favourite "I like it like this". We were all taught that if we can't say anything nice, then we shouldn't say anything at all. But it seems to me that people use this as a blank cheque to do anything they want nowadays, as there are no repercussions. In the case of proper evening wear, it would be ridicule. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a mean spirited person, but I don't want lazily dressed people at events I choose to take part in because they like to look like an abomination. I have seen pictures in the "don't" thread being ridiculed by members, and have seen people post their own picks, which might look like they also belong in that thread getting praise and the usual "looking good". Are members being nice, or do they mean this? I would suggest that being kind, when one does not mean the words they use will only reinforce in a person that they are dressed well when they are not. Am I the only one who has noticed this?

Frank Logan

[davedove]

I would also recomend this website The Essential Black Tie Guide.

That's a great site. I think it lays out the different levels of dress quite nicely and does explain how they have changed.

While I can't say I agree with all the old "rules", I do think that society has become much more casual. For instance, I don't think it's necessary for men to wear a jacket and tie to the baseball game (like they used to do), but it's bad that many people seem to think that dressing up means to wear the t-shirt that doesn't have any holes.

A big part of it is a general lack of respect for others. Dressing appropriately isn't meant as a set of rules to stifle a person's freedom. It's meant as a way of showing respect to the host.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I agree with this statment... but even here on this board there is the same problem. As Chef says in his tag line ... I too tend to frequent this point of view. I would suggest that anyone wishing to wear Evening Dress, read "So You're Going To Wear The Kilt!" by the late J. Charles Thompson, F.S.T.S. I would also recomend this website The Essential Black Tie Guide. This site answers many of the questions on why proper formal attire is going the way of the dodo. But to sum up the answer it's laziness and lack of respect (read selfish) for other and their experience during an event. We see this in the form of these answers; "I don't have time", "I don't have the money", and my favourite "I like it like this". We were all taught that if we can't say anything nice, then we shouldn't say anything at all. But it seems to me that people use this as a blank cheque to do anything they want nowadays, as there are no repercussions. In the case of proper evening wear, it would be ridicule. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a mean spirited person, but I don't want lazily dressed people at events I choose to take part in because they like to look like an abomination. I have seen pictures in the "don't" thread being ridiculed by members, and have seen people post their own picks, which might look like they also belong in that thread getting praise and the usual "looking good". Are members being nice, or do they mean this? I would suggest that being kind, when one does not mean the words they use will only reinforce in a person that they are dressed well when they are not. Am I the only one who has noticed this?

Frank Logan

Frank--
I agree with all you've said-- I don't think you are in any way mean spirited in your observations, you are right on message. I believe a lot of the "looking good" comments are the result of people being afraid to offer constructive criticism where it is needed, lest they open themselves up for criticism or personal attacks. I think the real issue is that dressing well involves sacrifices, and most people in today's society are not prepared to deprive themselves of one pleasure so that they may enjoy another. They want it all, and they want it now. As you rightly put it, they are selfish.