semi formal?

[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.