Black Tie means a bow tie not a black coloured tie

[Good Egg]

Am I the only person in the world who gets irritated by Hollywood prats and football playing chavs who wear black coloured ties with evening wear?

Until recently this was strictly an Anglo/American problem for celebs and the pointless millions who copy them but on Hogmanay I saw some prat on TV in full fig with regular black coloured tie on.

OK I hear you call: Lighten up, get a life, what does it matter?

Fair enough but you know these clown are only doing it because some prat turned up at the Oscars with black coloured tie because he did not realise it meant a bow tie and lemming like they all copy.

I can't wait until some clown turns up in the mess thusly clad.... It will elasticated ones next.

Rant over...

[chasem]

I agree. While I don't claim to be incredibly knowledgeable, I do feel that one should dress to the occasion. For me, I've never been to a black tie event, but other less formal, still dressy events. I get very frustrated seeing others show up in jeans or some other casual wear.

[bikeolounger]

I do not own, and refuse to buy, a full set of "black tie" garb. I would use such attire at most once every four or five years, and would have to manufacture reason to do that. I'm not likely to go to the trouble to rent formal wear, either--that level of formality is just too artificial for me. In short, if the invitation specifies "black tie," I won't be there. You need not worry about seeing me wearing a tartan tie over my tweed kilt at your precious black tie event.

Remember, gents, that kilts were originally WORK clothing for rural folks, not formal wear. My grandmother taught us to "put your best money in your everyday shoes," meaning buy good quality on what you will wear often. Don't spend money on stuff you won't use.

[macwilkin]

I do not own, and refuse to buy, a full set of "black tie" garb. I would use such attire at most once every four or five years, and would have to manufacture reason to do that. I'm not likely to go to the trouble to rent formal wear, either--that level of formality is just too artificial for me. In short, if the invitation specifies "black tie," I won't be there. You need not worry about seeing me wearing a tartan tie over my tweed kilt at your precious black tie event.

Remember, gents, that kilts were originally WORK clothing for rural folks, not formal wear. My grandmother taught us to "put your best money in your everyday shoes," meaning buy good quality on what you will wear often. Don't spend money on stuff you won't use.

I've never understood the connotation that "rural" people somehow resent all manner of "proper" attire. I've heard this a lot here in SW Missouri, but if you look at photos from the late 19th century/early 20th century, people simply knew the levels of attire for certain functions. Robert Burns was a puir ploughman frae Ayr, but he also could socialise with the gentry, and benefited from it through patronage.

My grandfather and great-grandfather, for example, were Iowa farmers, but both owned suits (not just one), French-cuff shirts and other kit. Sure, they wore overalls in the fields, but when it was time to go to church or lodge, they wore their best, as they respected those institutions.

Yes, the kilt may have been "work" clothes at one time, but the kilt also could be "formal" attire as well -- the pedigree isn't really a good excuse for rejecting formal attire.

I'm afraid this post is just as judgemental of those of us who take pride in our formal attire as the people who judge those who do not wear it.

Regards,

Todd

[gilmore]

What is a prat?

What is a chav?

Should I be concerned?

[Nervous Jock]

What is a prat?

What is a chav?

Should I be concerned?

no, I love you crazy Americans

[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?

[bikeolounger]

I've never understood the connotation that "rural" people somehow resent all manner of "proper" attire. I've heard this a lot here in SW Missouri, but if you look at photos from the late 19th century/early 20th century, people simply knew the levels of attire for certain functions. Robert Burns was a puir ploughman frae Ayr, but he also could socialise with the gentry, and benefited from it through patronage.

My grandfather and great-grandfather, for example, were Iowa farmers, but both owned suits (not just one), French-cuff shirts and other kit. Sure, they wore overalls in the fields, but when it was time to go to church or lodge, they wore their best, as they respected those institutions.

Yes, the kilt may have been "work" clothes at one time, but the kilt also could be "formal" attire as well -- the pedigree isn't really a good excuse for rejecting formal attire.

I'm afraid this post is just as judgemental of those of us who take pride in our formal attire as the people who judge those who do not wear it.

Regards,

Todd

And you misread my intent. The apparent judgemental voice was to make a point--that too many who wear formal attire who look down their noses at those of us who cannot justify the expenses involved in wearing the stuff. In general, I simply find that because I don't "fit in" for such formal occasions, I just don't go.

[macwilkin]

And you misread my intent. The apparent judgemental voice was to make a point--that too many who wear formal attire who look down their noses at those of us who cannot justify the expenses involved in wearing the stuff. In general, I simply find that because I don't "fit in" for such formal occasions, I just don't go.

But aren't you being just as judgemental and making assumptions that everyone who wears formal attire thinks you don't "fit in"?

If you don't like formal attire, or can't justify purchasing it is one thing. I won't "look down my nose" at you over that -- but I do take exception at being judged as a snob just because I do wear formal attire.

T.

[Panache]

And you misread my intent. The apparent judgemental voice was to make a point--that too many who wear formal attire who look down their noses at those of us who cannot justify the expenses involved in wearing the stuff. In general, I simply find that because I don't "fit in" for such formal occasions, I just don't go.

I think the point of the original post was that if one wishes to attend a formal event then it behooves that person to dress appropriately.

If they don't know how to the onus is on them to do their homework and find out.

I have a full formal kilted rig,

I have cause to wear it a couple of times per year.

I don't look down at someone who doesn't own a formal outfit.

However if I am at a black tie affair and see someone not appropriately dressed I wonder

Do they not know what "black tie" means?

Do they feel that they aren't bound by social conventions?

Did they not care enough to wear an appropriate outfit?

If you go to a formal event once every decade and hire an outfit to do so that is perfectly fine.

If you choose not to attend a formal event because you don't have or don't want to dress formally that is perfectly fine.

If you go to an event that specifies a type of dress and don't wear that type of attire that is not very respectful to the hosts.

Just my two cents

Cheers

Jamie