I need some"jacket" advice for Burns night

[Tobus]

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

Frank, with all due respect, I think you should probably check with the organisers of your event and have them clarify what they mean. You stated:

The Burns Supper we're going to says "Highland attire or black tie optional." By that, I believe I can wear my kilt and tweed jacket with a long tie.

I don't interpret that the same as you do. And I may be wrong, of course, but it seems to me that the language states that Highland evening attire* is requested, and if you can't wear that, then you can wear traditional black tie (i.e. tuxedo). It's not saying you can wear any old kilt outfit, with dressing up to level of black tie being optional.

And sorry to say, but a tweed jacket and long tie are not considered Highland evening attire. But again, it would be wise to get it clarified by the organisers.

*edited to add: they don't say "evening attire", but it is implied since this is a supper, not a daytime event, I presume.

[Father Bill]

I'm going to be criticized for this, but there are things that I feel compelled to say, so a further thought on that. While I can hear the screams of "Do whatever you want" and "I'm a free man, I'll do as I please" in advance of my saying this, I firmly believe that people behave according to the way they dress themselves and that, further, others treat you according to your appearance.

When I dress in a cassock, I behave like a priest because I would be uncomfortable doing otherwise. When I meet someone dressed in a police officer's uniform, I make certain, usually correct assumptions about how I can most profitably interact with that person. As an extreme example, I'm far less likely to disrobe for someone dressed in such a uniform than I am for someone dressed in a white lab coat over operating room greens with a stethoscope around the neck. I might also disrobe for a sexy woman in a tight dress, nylons and high heels, but that's a whole different issue. (I'm talking about my wife, you moron! )

Dressing for an event indicates, at a level that few people recognize even in themselves, let alone in others, an intention to behave in a certain way. Think "young Sean Connery in a dinner jacket" and you'll expect a certain sort of behaviour. (Cue the James Bond theme music.)

Showing up in jeans when invited to wear black tie would be an insult to the hosts and a public declaration of intention to ignore other expectations as well.

Having said all of that, a gracious host may choose to welcome you out of their own generosity not out of any delight at your flaunting of their wishes. An example? At church I would welcome (and have welcomed) the worst-kempt most ill-dressed individual because a church is a place for all people. Nonetheless, "reasonable" (yes, you do so know what I mean by that!) ...reasonable levels of dress are expected from those who can manage do do so.

Now, let the ignorant screaming of "Wear whatever you want however you want wherever you want whenever you want" begin. Those are coming from the folks who intend an in-your-face form of insult to anyone who doesn't immediately bow to their own false sense of self-importance.

[Holcombe Thomas]

No criticism here, Father Bill. Well said.

[frank_a]

Tobus, I just checked, and they said and meant highland attire, NOT highland evening attire. They told me my tweed jacket is fine, and to expect an eclectic mix of highland attire at the Supper.

So thanks for the heads up, but we are fine. In fact, the very pleasant lady I talked to said to expect an eclectic mix of highland attire. My kind of folks!

Frank

[Jock Scot]

Tobus, I just checked, and they said and meant highland attire, NOT highland evening attire. They told me my tweed jacket is fine, and to expect an eclectic mix of highland attire at the Supper.

So thanks for the heads up, but we are fine. In fact, the very pleasant lady I talked to said to expect an eclectic mix of highland attire. My kind of folks!

Frank

A classic case of; "time is seldom waisted in reconnaissance", I would say.

[frank_a]

When I first saw the ad for the Supper, it specifically said "highland attire." Being somewhat uninformed when it comes to such nuances, I did what any other able bodied guy would do - I googled "highland attire," then picked images. From that brief "reconnaissance" exercise, I figured I would be just fine! Give it a try and you'll see what I mean.

Cheers!

Frank

[piperdbh]

So everybody's happy now?

[frank_a]

I certainly am! Thanks!

Frank

[Father Bill]

A classic case of; "time is seldom waisted in reconnaissance", I would say.

Excellent!

[Jock Scot]

When I first saw the ad for the Supper, it specifically said "highland attire." Being somewhat uninformed when it comes to such nuances, I did what any other able bodied guy would do - I googled "highland attire," then picked images. From that brief "reconnaissance" exercise, I figured I would be just fine! Give it a try and you'll see what I mean.


Cheers!

Frank

Well OK the invitation says "Highland Attire" and if you google it you get everything from ultra formal to ultra casual. So the invitation wording is not helpful and when individual interpretations are added to the equation, then it is not surprising confusion abounds. Which makes a "black tie",or some such, guide so helpful all round. Something perhaps, organisers of events could really help with in avoiding confusion when issuing invitations?