To clarify: I was having a pop at the fashion of wearing of long black ties instead of bow ties when wearing formal evening attire.

As for attending a function in the wrong 'order of dress' that is a different issue. In general I think if you are not prepared to dress as your host asked you to you should not attend the function.

If I was told that I should not wear a kilt to a black tie affair I would not accept the invitation.

Although I had a bit of a rant about this I don't think its that important and needs to be kept in perspective but many of you on the wrong side of the pond may be unaware of the following cautuionary tale.

You will be aware that our current Dear Leader, Mr Bean look and act-alike, Dr Gordon Brown (unfortunately a Scot) was previously for 11 years the Chancellor (finance minister). In that capacity he had to attend the the annual Mansion House Dinner in the City and deliver a speech.

Mansion House Dinners are white tie affair. Bean a typical bully decided to stamp his socialist mark by wearing a suit and using his position to snub his hosts.

A pointless piece of posturing by a pointless clown. But like all bullies he is essentially a coward. Part of his duties as Prime Minister require him to attend white tie functions with the Queen: Guess what? Mr Bean turns up in white tie.