black tie, white tie

[Cherub]

would it be also acceptable to wear a tartan waistcoat for either?

What was that earlier message about the Nuveau "Non Classe".........

I've been to an event held by these..... It was a wedding announcement an we were told to bring a donation for "the Gift" we brought our own. The only people dressed correctly were the Friend of the couple the rest were dressed appallingly Bermuda shorts with ill fitting and clashing shorts coats and Hawaiian shirts and the like it was bad. and then they conveniently forgot about the gifts that were brought by friends. Brought no class to a level I have never seen and hope to never see again.

[Bugbear]

I look at it this way; though the analogy is not perfect.

It is like being at a very nice theater watching a very good movie. During the movy someone starts playing with a laser pointer up at the screen. That is like a person dressing improperly for a black tie event.

Lets say the person brought a powerful flashlight instead of a laser pointer. That is like showing up in bermuda shorts and hawaiian shirt at a party that is anounced as black tie.

[Jack Daw]

Our Rabbie Burns Supper is "Black Tie Preferred". Although I do enjoy getting all semi-formal for it; unfortunately, some show up in a nice shirt and black pants and sort of spoil it. But, as much as I would enjoy prepping and going all out for a 'black tie...or white tie required' occasion, such rules are meant to exclude, which rankles my common, unpretentious ***.

[slohairt]

Standards have declined horribly over the years, and I agree that it doesn't have anything to do with money. After all, no amount of money can ever buy class. Look to the latest bevy of Hollywood celebrities as evidence.

My parents always told me to wear your best to an event as it was a sign of respect. It tells the hosts that you think they are important enough to warrant it. It isn't a matter of showing people up. That's tacky.

Some people show up to events looking like a slob and give excuses like, "It's what I'm comfortable in," or "It's the best I have." Ignoring the host's request and wearing what you like is rude and arrogant. It puts your needs above theirs. If you don't have much money, careful shopping at thrift shops can produce a fairly good-looking outfit for under $50.00 (shoes included). I hate attending events where I see someone in a suit with running shoes. I know they think they look like Justin Timberlake and they're right. It's called uninspired bohemianism.

[JS Sanders]

Long ago lost count of the number of females I've seen attending funerals in a black cocktail dresses.

Yep - black evening cocktail dresses. The short ones with revealing bustlines. It's always the young ones & they would look quite appropriate in the lobby of a hotel reception area sipping a glass of blush wine.

I wonder who taught them to dress without any sense of style....

Slan yall,
steve

[Bugbear]

Long ago lost count of the number of females I've seen attending funerals in a black cocktail dresses.

Yep - black evening cocktail dresses. The short ones with revealing bustlines. It's always the young ones & they would look quite appropriate in the lobby of a hotel reception area sipping a glass of blush wine.

I wonder who taught them to dress without any sense of style....

Slan yall,
steve

I would call it not dressing with a sense of respect.

[JS Sanders]

I left out the description of some of the females....

Too often they look like 10 lbs of potatoes stuffed into a 5 lb bag.