Wearing a PC in the Daytime??

[M_Beorn]

I was going to ask about White Tie events and what that constituted them, but decided to google it and started reading up on Wikipedia about both black and white tie dress.

According to Wikipedia (take that for what it worth), White Tie is the most formal of dress and Black Tie is actually considered Semi-Formal. It is interesting that they list western dress and Scottish Highland dress styles for both. I'll post the links rather than to cut and paste segments of the article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_tie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tie

[Jock Scot]

White tie, black tie, formal, informal I was always told and I have followed that advice for 60 odd years, that it was a guest's duty to discreetly find out what the dress requirements are for a particular event, if one was unsure.I was also always told that if a particular situation was really in doubt under dressing was far better than the alternative. Further more, I was also told that if one could not beg, borrow, hire or buy(in my time I have done all of these) the correct attire one should politely decline the invitation. None of this is rocket science. Is it?

[Panache]

None of this is rocket science. Is it?

Jock,

Most Americans, especially on the West Coast, on the whole are not familiar with the conventions of formal attire. Weddings are one of the few times that it is worn and even then the garments are more likely chosen based on the wishes of the bridal couple based on what they like the looks of instead of the conventions of formal wear. So event organisers may not have a clear idea of what the dress code is.

I think a great deal of our membership are both interested and a bit surprised to learn that there are a lot of conventions to formal wear that are considered standard outside the US.

The articles M_Beorn linked were very interesting and I had to smile to see that kilts and highland wear are so readily adaptable to formal events.

Show me a pair of pants that can be worn with hiking boots and a sweater in the morning for a walk, with a jacket and tie for an afternoon wedding, with a Prince Charlie coatee for a black tie dinner, and a doublet for white tie ball all in the same 24 hour period?

Bravo for the kilt!

Cheers

Jamie

[davedove]

Most Americans, especially on the West Coast, on the whole are not familiar with the conventions of formal attire. Weddings are one of the few times that it is worn and even then the garments are more likely chosen based on the wishes of the bridal couple based on what they like the looks of instead of the conventions of formal wear. So event organisers may not have a clear idea of what the dress code is.

I think a great deal of our membership are both interested and a bit surprised to learn that there are a lot of conventions to formal wear that are considered standard outside the US.

I think Jamie has hit on the meat of the matter. A lot of people, especially here in the States, don't know there are any conventions. They just have a general concept of "getting dressed up." Most don't know there is any difference between white tie and black tie, let alone what those differences are.

As Jamie said, the wedding party will chose their attire based on what they think looks good, or in many cases, what the bride likes, not what time of day it is. Guests will just attend in a jacket and tie (if you're lucky).

[Jock Scot]

Dave and Jamie,I really see what you are getting at and of course you are right. However,might I respectfully ask, why is this question asked in the traditional kilt section if a traditional answer is not required?

[Panache]

However,might I respectfully ask, why is this question asked in the traditional kilt section if a traditional answer is not required?

Because Freelancer, the original poster, wanted to better understand these very conventions of highland formal wear. I assume he is reading what has been posted regarding the subject and has gleaned a better understanding of them.

Now it is up to him to decide how to use this information.

Cheers

Jamie

[Jock Scot]

Because Freelancer, the original poster, wanted to better understand these very conventions of highland formal wear. I assume he is reading what has been posted regarding the subject and has gleaned a better understanding of them.

Now it is up to him to decide how to use this information.

Cheers

Jamie

Yes, that is fine for Freelancer, but this whole thread does raise the question of what traditional means. Are we to use yours and Dave's reasoning of what traditional is,in other words the "interested of the USA", but we will ignore the advice given? Or, the traditional Scots idea of what is traditional? Do we go as far as great kilts? Personally ,I think not,but there may be some out there that think otherwise.The final thought,and it has to be faced,are we talking about the non Scots hijacking a traditional Scots kilt(no one else is seriously claiming to have developed it)and then choosing to ignore the conventions that go with it? I am sorry to say that yours and Dave's honest replies suggest that is where we are heading.