semi formal?

[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.