Okay! Here we go again... Advice??

[Dileasgubas]

My rule of thumb is that when you hear "formal" you should be thinking "black / bow tie". Casual would be "no tie" so a "semi-formal event would require a shirt and tie. For a semi-formal burns night you would be fine in a kilt and a tweed jacket or Argyll paired with a shirt and tie. You certainly wouldn't be wrong.

[Highlander31]

Is semi formal an equivalent to a lounge suit ? Or tie and blazer ? Or a dinner jacket and a pair of shorts !!! Go to the rocky horror picture show, youll see plenty of semi (sort of ) formal there .

While doing the "Time Warp" of course.

[Father Bill]

Hello Father Bill,

Formal in this neck of the woods is pretty much the same as any other. It's just that I have never been a Formal, nor Semi-Formal kind of guy. By "Argyll" you are meaning a jacket, correct?

Thanks...

Ron

Well respecfully, when you say "pretty much the same as any other" that gives you an incredibly wide range of "same." As you travel, I think you'll start to realize the shocking variation in such terms. Several have commented on that already - everything from sweaters to tuxedos.

So... ask!

[mayberry]

I agree completely that if in doubt, you should ask the organizers.
BUT...there are very clear answers to the questions, "What does 'Formal' or 'Semi-Formal' mean?".

"Formal" means dinner jacket/black tie/tuxedo. "Semi-Formal" means jacket-and-tie/business dress/suit-or-blazer.

So if you are organizing an event, you need to know these conventions.

Of course, you are free to prescribe, or allow, any sort of dress or formality at your event. But this is what these terms mean, and I would argue that it is useful to us all that we keep these meanings.
Cheers,
John

[Downunder Kilt]

Please be very careful with your absolutes on your definitions Mayberry. The tuxedo, was originally invented as a less than formal outfit and could still be described by some as semi formal. Also there are members from many different countries here where defintions may well vary.
eg. Formal to me means white tie. Black tie is black tie, I do not have a semi formal, I go to business suit next

[OC Richard]

I don't know about Oregon, but here in Southern California one sees "semi formal" on invitations quite a bit, and people show up in a wide range of things.

It pretty much means 'no jeans, no t-shirts, no golf shirts, no shorts.'

Some men might be in suits. Some might be in slacks with collared buttonup longsleeved shirts with or without tie. Invariably there'll be a guy or two in Aloha shirt, khaki slacks, and sandals/flipflops/zorries.

There's a Hollywood type thing of wearing a sport coat, suit coat, or even tuxedo jacket over a plain black t-shirt, even at black-tie functions. Oftentimes with cowboy boots, or sandals, or tennis shoes.

This gives the kiltwearer a very wide latitude! Good for us!

I'd wear my black Argyll probably, with a blue shirt and long necktie. I'd be a bit more formal that some of the men, yes, but that's never a bad thing. I probably wouldn't wear my Prince Charlie, or my lovat tweed jacket, but either one wouldn't be all that out of place.

[Father Bill]

I agree completely that if in doubt, you should ask the organizers.
BUT...there are very clear answers to the questions, "What does 'Formal' or 'Semi-Formal' mean?".

"Formal" means dinner jacket/black tie/tuxedo. "Semi-Formal" means jacket-and-tie/business dress/suit-or-blazer.

There we are, proving the point. Tuxedos (more properly called "dinner jackets") have never been "formal" in any lexicon I've ever seen. ...and that's the point. Since the words have ceased to mean the same thing to everyone, but rather different things to everyone... ASK!

[JohntheBiker]

I agree completely that if in doubt, you should ask the organizers.
BUT...there are very clear answers to the questions, "What does 'Formal' or 'Semi-Formal' mean?".

"Formal" means dinner jacket/black tie/tuxedo. "Semi-Formal" means jacket-and-tie/business dress/suit-or-blazer.

So if you are organizing an event, you need to know these conventions.

Of course, you are free to prescribe, or allow, any sort of dress or formality at your event. But this is what these terms mean, and I would argue that it is useful to us all that we keep these meanings.
Cheers,
John

In the Toronto area, this is probably a good description of expectations, with the caveat that it is not absolute and may well be different in different locations.

[Father Bill]

In the Toronto area, this is probably a good description of expectations, with the caveat that it is not absolute and may well be different in different locations.

Hi John. I'm going to demur again: it may be a good description in some social circles... but not in others even within the Greater Toronto Area, or in Toronto itself.

Again, the term is so fluid, that the only wise action is to ask.

[MacGowan]

I, too always struggle with these terms such as "semi-this or that". I would suggest wearing a tie would often put you into the "semi" category. Adding sweater or a vest, perhaps even sweater vest should fit the bill, if you are without a kilt jacket.

Liam, we think alike... I'm just going with a black dress shirt with Argyll vest, and my Smith Tartan tie.. If they don't think I'm dressed up enough.., tough garbonzos...

An old Oregon Multi-Millionaire named Gilchrist (of the town by the same name) never wore anything but plaid flannel shirts and bib overhauls. I don't believe he was ever barred from an event of any kind...