Black Tie means a bow tie not a black coloured tie

[Bugbear]

The balance of the Force has been altered, and we have a bit of wobble as we adjust; it's been going on for a couple of weeks now.

I like to understand the reasons things are traditional or propper rather than just memorizing these things; though I often end up making an idiot of my self before I understand. Sometimes the reason does come down to "it's that way because that is what everyone is used to seeing," and it's not the right time and place to rock the boat.

[Rex_Tremende]

It would probably come as no surprise that I'm of the opinion that no man should be without a tuxedo in his closet. For a little more than the price of a rental, you can buy one that will pass muster at any occasion that calls for one. I happen to have four - only one of which actually fits me at any given moment.

The morning this photo was taken, I had no idea that I was going to attend a black tie (suggested) event. But a seat at my company's table at a charity event opened up and I was tapped to fill it. There was no snobbery here - just a big crowd of well-dressed men and women having a good time for the purpose of encouraging them to reach into their pocketbooks to donate copiously to the epilepsy foundation.

Say what you will about comfort and utility - I'm all for that - but slip into a tux and something happens: you stand a little taller, glow a little brighter, and dang if you don't look a lot sexier.

Well, maybe so long as you are not wearing a silly hat and cheesy sunglasses.

Regards,
Rex.

[Bugbear]

Ya, what Rex Said there at the end of his post.

[chasem]

This thread was started as what's appropriate at a black tie event, not which is better, black tie or casual ><

[xena]

What is a prat?

What is a chav?

Should I be concerned?

"Prat" is what you are likely sitting on. No, not the chair, your backside.

"Chav" is a derogatory term for child, although it can be applied to persons of almost any age. Rough equivalent to "trailer trash" without the trailer. Usually inclined to criminality, relatively uneducated and either in low paying jobs or unemployed.

Both terms are British in origin, and likely unfamiliar to people who speak "American."

No, I don't think you should be concerned. Someone is just venting. I am under the impression Chavs don't wear kilts much. Anyone from the right-hand side of the pond want to clarify?

But, I know what they mean. I went to my son's High School Graduation. Some of the parents there seemed to have the concept that having a clean T-shirt on was dressing up! I saw mullets too! Weren't they banned by international treaty?

[Carolina Kiltman]

Just have to throw in my tuppence worth. As a card carrying member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Old Farts, I am inclined to bemoan the demise of what I call "good taste" in clothing. I am not referring here to style, but to how the style is worn. I have seen T-Shirts and Jeans worn where I would wear at least a Sport Coat and a tieless shirt, and the wearer was neatly dressed. The T-shirt was clean, had no "message" on it, the Jeans were ditto, and pressed.

When I am working in my shop, I dress appropriately. When I go to a "Black Tie" dinner, I also dress appropriately. If I am mucking out a barn or stable, I dress appropriately. When I go into the "market" place, I do not wear the manure stained work clothes I wore in the barn.

That is, I think, the basic message of all the previous posts. I'll climb down now.

[CDNSushi]

"Prat" is what you are likely sitting on. No, not the chair, your backside.

"Chav" is a derogatory term for child, although it can be applied to persons of almost any age. Rough equivalent to "trailer trash" without the trailer. Usually inclined to criminality, relatively uneducated and either in low paying jobs or unemployed.

Both terms are British in origin, and likely unfamiliar to people who speak "American."

Well, thank goodness SOMEBODY cleared that up. I thought it was some kind of skin condition.

As for speaking American, I've lived my entire life as an honest, humble Canadian, and I don't think I've ever seen or heard those terms until today. Funny, they didn't cover that vocabulary in college when I took English 101. Heh...

[Clockwork John]

Just have to throw in my tuppence worth. As a card carrying member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Old Farts, I am inclined to bemoan the demise of what I call "good taste" in clothing. I am not referring here to style, but to how the style is worn. I have seen T-Shirts and Jeans worn where I would wear at least a Sport Coat and a tieless shirt, and the wearer was neatly dressed. The T-shirt was clean, had no "message" on it, the Jeans were ditto, and pressed.

When I am working in my shop, I dress appropriately. When I go to a "Black Tie" dinner, I also dress appropriately. If I am mucking out a barn or stable, I dress appropriately. When I go into the "market" place, I do not wear the manure stained work clothes I wore in the barn.

That is, I think, the basic message of all the previous posts. I'll climb down now.

I think you really captured both the substance and tone of what was meant by the OP, as well as many who agreed with him, and several who, superficially at least, disagreed with him.

I may not be an "old fart"... I am, in fact, what you might call a "young upstart" or "whippersnapper" or something along those lines, but I agree completely.
I may have grown up poor (hell, I'm still poor, or at best "Working Class"), but I always try to dress well, and I darn sure make sure I dress as appropriately as my means permit for every occasion.

[kevinkinney]

Mind you....when Rex was hit by a cold blast of Duluth air, he completely forgot proper dress, and left his sporran in the hotel.



(hee hee, I have no idea who this gent really is, but the resemblance is striking.)

Kevin

[Good Egg]

To clarify: I was having a pop at the fashion of wearing of long black ties instead of bow ties when wearing formal evening attire.

As for attending a function in the wrong 'order of dress' that is a different issue. In general I think if you are not prepared to dress as your host asked you to you should not attend the function.

If I was told that I should not wear a kilt to a black tie affair I would not accept the invitation.

Although I had a bit of a rant about this I don't think its that important and needs to be kept in perspective but many of you on the wrong side of the pond may be unaware of the following cautuionary tale.

You will be aware that our current Dear Leader, Mr Bean look and act-alike, Dr Gordon Brown (unfortunately a Scot) was previously for 11 years the Chancellor (finance minister). In that capacity he had to attend the the annual Mansion House Dinner in the City and deliver a speech.

Mansion House Dinners are white tie affair. Bean a typical bully decided to stamp his socialist mark by wearing a suit and using his position to snub his hosts.

A pointless piece of posturing by a pointless clown. But like all bullies he is essentially a coward. Part of his duties as Prime Minister require him to attend white tie functions with the Queen: Guess what? Mr Bean turns up in white tie.