Cheap formal wear?

[Graywolf]

You should always dress appropriate for the occasion in my opinion. If that means a rental or a conversion, then sobeit. However, one should never criticise another regardless of their dress. One must always assume that circumstances, whatever thye might be, prohibited the individual from getting the "appropriate attire" and accept them with grace and courtesy. Good manners is not only dressing appropriately but conducting oneself appropriately for the occasion. I have been to many formal functions once, because someone appropriately attired acted like a boor.

[ChromeScholar]

I have been to many formal functions once, because someone appropriately attired acted like a boor.

I heard that!

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . my conversion jacket is more than acceptable to all but the clothing snobs, and them I don't care about.

Right on! "Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter."

[ChromeScholar]

That's pretty much how I see it.

[fluter]

I was actually aware to what you were referring.

I was pretty sure that you were! Having dropped that "teaser" for the group, I felt it only fair to explain.

[Alan H]

A white dinner jacket. Wow. Our band leader for the 1920's-style society orchestra always wore one when we played while people were eating. After dinner he put on a black tuxedo jacket....same trousers. The guy made a very good living and had no children, the band was more of an out-of-control hobby than an actual profession for him, and he always wore very nice clothes to gigs.

However, I think that may be the ONLY time in my 50 years on the planet that I've seen anyone wear a white dinner jacket, in person.

BTW, there's a significant difference between a really cheap canvas waiters, or parking attendants jacket...

like this:

http://www.caysondesigns.com/products10.html

or even this:
http://blazerdepot.com/pages/formal/eton_3btn.html

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And this:
http://www.glendinnings.com.au/index...tml&lang=en-gb

...in either black or white...made in polyester vicose and costing about $100 without all the Uniform options

or this article, which is informative:

http://www.uniformmarket.com/magazin...6/webster.html

[cavscout]

I agree Alan. Waiter and Bellman uniforms are based on military uniforms just as marching band uniforms are. Why? I have no idea.

Since you mention a white jacket, I think a White Jacket on black kilt al Humphrey Bogart ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGXEwI1S11A ) would look awesome, I just can't justify the investment.

[fluter]

A white dinner jacket. Wow. Our band leader for the 1920's-style society orchestra always wore one when we played while people were eating. After dinner he put on a black tuxedo jacket....same trousers. The guy made a very good living and had no children, the band was more of an out-of-control hobby than an actual profession for him, and he always wore very nice clothes to gigs.

However, I think that may be the ONLY time in my 50 years on the planet that I've seen anyone wear a white dinner jacket, in person.

Chef or others with direct knowledge, please correct me...

FWIW, in the UK a tux jacket is also a "dinner jacket." I believe that the white jacket at dinner/black one afterward was the custom.

I'm looking at a picture of myself (in a concert) in white dinner jacket. I still have a pink one; which I use (locally) as a threat, in the event that discussions of formal wear get out of hand.

[Panache]

... my conversion jacket is more than acceptable to all but the clothing snobs, and them I don't care about.

Ah herein lies the key to the whole thing. Are you defining "clothing snobs" as people who closely examine your garments and determine that they aren't made in Scotland or the right manufacturer and scoff at your attire? Or are these "clothing snobs" the ones who have a well developed fashion sense?

Here on XMTS I have seen some really splendid jacket conversions and some awkward ones. Likewise I have nodded with approval at some very clever and creative inexpensive formalwear outfits whilst shuddering at others.

Does this make me a "clothing snob"?

I have seen pictures here and noted people showing off some pretty expensive outfits that were poorly coordinated and worn.

Does this make me a "clothing snob"?

What about Matt Newsome or Hamish?

These are two gentlemen whose advice on attire I take to heart and I can't imagine them ever insulting someone who was poorly turned out, yet they wouldn't fail to note an ill fitting rumpled kilt, a poorly converted jacket, or a badly coordinated ensemble.

Ultimately if the kilt looks good, and the jacket looks good, and the whole outfit works together and is appropriate to the occassion it really doesn't matter an iota where the outfit came from.

Cheers

Jamie

[macwilkin]

Ah herein lies the key to the whole thing. Are you defining "clothing snobs" as people who closely examine your garments and determine that they aren't made in Scotland or the right manufacturer and scoff at your attire? Or are these "clothing snobs" the ones who have a well developed fashion sense?

Here on XMTS I have seen some really splendid jacket conversions and some awkward ones. Likewise I have nodded with approval at some very clever and creative inexpensive formalwear outfits whilst shuddering at others.

Does this make me a "clothing snob"?

I have seen pictures here and noted people showing off some pretty expensive outfits that were poorly coordinated and worn.

Does this make me a "clothing snob"?

What about Matt Newsome or Hamish?

These are two gentlemen whose advice on attire I take to heart and I can't imagine them ever insulting someone who was poorly turned out, yet they wouldn't fail to note an ill fitting rumpled kilt, a poorly converted jacket, or a badly coordinated ensemble.

Ultimately if the kilt looks good, and the jacket looks good, and the whole outfit works together and is appropriate to the occassion it really doesn't matter an iota where the outfit came from.

Cheers

Jamie

WELL SAID, JAMIE!

Todd