I need some"jacket" advice for Burns night

**Stan** · 23rd January 13, 08:37 PM

Hi Spartan taran. I'm new to the Scottish club of Tulsa, and just wanted to go to burns night, meet new people and have fun. It seems that the dress code is becoming a bit of a hurtle. I'm now wandering about "etiquette" versus just have a few cocktails, saying hi, copping a buz, and having a great time......I'm suspect that the (true) proper dress code is a person who wants to attend, and coughs up the bucks to for a ticket and buy drinks.

**Spartan Tartan** · 23rd January 13, 08:47 PM

far be it for me to speak on behalf of the Tulsa group, but all my experience says that going for a few drinks, to say Hi, meet new people and cop a buzz is EXACTLY what yo should plan to do.

you can always email or call the event organizer/host and just ask. I would bet they will be more than happy to answer your question. Good luck!!

**Jock Scot** · 24th January 13, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

I will respectfully disagree with your premise Stan, on the grounds that it takes us down the slippery slope that dilutes or diminishes our traditions. The invitation says "Black Tie" that is a very specific level of dress. It does not mean "black colored neck tie" or "the best dark colored jeans and a tie of some sort" What happens is just what you started with, I saw a picture of a person who was not dressed appropriately, according to the invitation, so they now define what is the acceptable level of dress. Then someone sees you dressed in a way not consistent with the invitation, and thinks as you did "ah good enough" and so on and so on. And unless the host has the gumption to turn people away at the door, pretty soon half the room is dressed in jeans and nice shirts (because they are cheaper and people may feel more comfortable in them) with a few people dressed according to the invitation. I think that if you don't have the items needed to go to the event according to the invitation, buy/rent them, if you don't have the money to buy or rent them, borrow them, if you can't borrow them, stay home. An option that is not available is to disrespect the hosts, or the event, and come dressed "good enough"

Now, does anyone have a ladder I can use to get off this soap box?

Bravo!

**BCAC** · 24th January 13, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Bravo!

And a second Bravo from me!!!

**creagdhubh** · 24th January 13, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

Black bow tie with a suitable shirt, by that I mean a shirt you would wear with a tux, and a argyll jacket, with or without waistcoat, would be acceptable at most burns nights as black tie, unless it is very strict on the definition of black tie. Check with the organisers is the best way to go.

***

**creagdhubh** · 24th January 13, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by MacMillan's son

I will respectfully disagree with your premise Stan, on the grounds that it takes us down the slippery slope that dilutes or diminishes our traditions. The invitation says "Black Tie" that is a very specific level of dress. It does not mean "black colored neck tie" or "the best dark colored jeans and a tie of some sort" What happens is just what you started with, I saw a picture of a person who was not dressed appropriately, according to the invitation, so they now define what is the acceptable level of dress. Then someone sees you dressed in a way not consistent with the invitation, and thinks as you did "ah good enough" and so on and so on. And unless the host has the gumption to turn people away at the door, pretty soon half the room is dressed in jeans and nice shirts (because they are cheaper and people may feel more comfortable in them) with a few people dressed according to the invitation. I think that if you don't have the items needed to go to the event according to the invitation, buy/rent them, if you don't have the money to buy or rent them, borrow them, if you can't borrow them, stay home. An option that is not available is to disrespect the hosts, or the event, and come dressed "good enough"

Now, does anyone have a ladder I can use to get off this soap box?

Hear hear!

**Tobus** · 24th January 13, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by BCAC

And a second Bravo from me!!!

And a third from me! Very well stated, sir.

**frank_a** · 24th January 13, 06:11 AM

Boy, I would be right out of luck with a dress code like that. Could have saved 100 bucks too, but thankfully I don't have to put up with pompousness!

Aye yours,

Frank

**Father Bill** · 24th January 13, 06:16 AM

Nothing pompous about saying "This is how we wish to gather." What's pompous is the assumption that one is so valuable that s/he can ignore the wishes of the host(ess).

**frank_a** · 24th January 13, 06:21 AM

Truly, I should have not even commented, other than to say, "That's fine, I don't need to go. I can find friendlier venues."

My dad had a tux for meetings of his lodge, but everybody had to have one, and they met every month like that. They were NOT public venues. I don't own a tux, never will, and am not much of a fan of the PC stuff either.

I'll go back and hide in my hole...

Frank