White House black tie guidelines?

[gordontaos]

my usual approach to this sort of thing;
"It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission"

Here Here!!!!!

[MacGumerait]

And from a fellow with an eagle, globe, and anchor as an avatar. I must admit to being taken aback by the disrespect shown to one's commander in chief.

I believe the original thread was trying to make the point that Scottish formal wear ( i.e. the kilt ) should be accepted at a prom ( unless the young man was trying to be bizarre with it ) and was making reference to the White House standards as an example , as the White House protocol probably does accept Scottish formal wear as appropriate .

As far as respect for the Commander in Chief title , that is a different story . I will have to side with Sir William . A U.S. President automatically has bestowed upon him or her the title and responsibility of Commander in Chief . This title is bestowed , the respect for the title is always there , the respect of that actual Commander in Chief must be earned , some earn it and some just have the title .

[Tobus]

my usual approach to this sort of thing;
"It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission"

The problem with high school prom is that they will likely turn him away at the door if he doesn't meet their dress code (assuming they enforce it rigidly). So it's not like he can get away with it and then ask forgiveness later. He will either have to get permission first, or be refused admission.

[davedove]

I will agree that the school administrators have the right to define the dress code in whatever way they like, although I will also agree that they should be consistent with its application concerning ethnic attire and the like.

Also, having been raised in the area, that part of the country is not exactly known for its variety of clothing, so it's probably more a case of ignorance than anything. Hey, they probably associate the kilt as a skirt, which would be cross-dressing for guys.

[piperdown]

Hmmmm... That's the second time I've heard that quoted in a week... Weird...

HBO series...'Weeds" theme song.

[unixken]

The problem with high school prom is that they will likely turn him away at the door if he doesn't meet their dress code (assuming they enforce it rigidly). So it's not like he can get away with it and then ask forgiveness later. He will either have to get permission first, or be refused admission.

And if it's a student wanting to wear a kilt, you need to think of the effect on his date, if they are turned away at the door. Prom dresses can cost $500 these days, and the girls (particularly) invest so much of themselves emotionally into going. If the guy is turned away at the door, what happens to his date? Does she enter without him and suffer embarrassment? Does she side and leave with him (swallowing the cost of the dress AND dealing with the embarrassment, to boot?) How do the girl's parents then handle the "wasted money" spent on the dress... and the hair style... and the corsage... and possibly a limo... and so on.

Kids aren't emotionally strong enough to deal with it predictably and responsibly (they're too worried about peer perception, and are very heavily emotionally invested in events like a prom) to risk ruining an evening like that for everyone involved, just because someone at the door doesn't think a kilt is appropriate.

I definitely agree that it is better in this case, to get permission first, rather than take your chances at the door. And, I'd get the permission in writing and have a copy in hand, because the person at the door is not likely to be the person giving permission.

[rondo]

To add to what unixken has posted...the young gentleman might have a Tuxedo waiting in the wings...just in case.

Rondo

[Deirachel]

First, in most schools, the prom is paid for (through dues/ticket sales) and hosted by the Junior class under the auspices of the school administration. So, arguably as long as the clothing in question isn't in violation of the general dress code, if the Junior class government says it's ok, then it would be ok by the Hosts.

Second, even if it would be considered cross-dressing by some ignorant administrator, if this is a public school, the student is protected under US Code. From this website https://www.aclu.org/hiv-aids_lgbt-r...people-and-law

The federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funds (Title IX of the Education Amendment Acts of 1972) bars sexual harassment of a transgender student. Title IX also prohibits gender-based harassment, which includes harassment based on a student’s refusal to conform to sex stereotypes.

In other words, if a student chooses to cross-dress, this is protected behavior until such time as SCOTUS makes a ruling about this.

In this case, I would suggest the young man in question gather as much information about how the kilt is accepted formal wear and present this to the administration after getting with his student government reps to get their support. Often, if presented in a respectful manner, the veil of ignorance will be lifted and all will be happy. Fighting it in a disrespectful manner will just cause the veil to be solidified.

Normally, I would argue Zardoz's suggestion, but this is one of those cases where discretion is going to be more helpful.

[nagod]

3 pages of opinions out of one sentence with no details,just think what would happen if we knew the actual facts.

[Bigkahuna]

Would you wear a kilt to chaperone this young fellows Prom?