Aesthetics for "Semi-Formal" Dance

[Tribal]

Oh, no one will be wearing a jacket there (especially not in Virginia weather!). Essentially, it's like a cross between business casual and clubbing. I'm just trying to sort out what is likely to be the right level of wear, as even the "10 Looks" seems to contemplate a more respectable lifestyle than that of the grad student.

Kilt, black dress sporran, and black vest seem to make sense, along with black shoes. The question at that point is what next. I think a shirt with French cuffs makes sense, but the color is my concern if the vest is black. Maybe dark blue or dark green with a silver tie, with socks matching the shirt? All black with a red tie? I don't want to look too much like it's an "outfit," but also don't need to look like a semi-Goth.

All responses so far have definitely been appreciated!

[McMurdo]

This is what I'd do as it is Semi Formal, I'd go for the jacket you like in a gray tweed, with horn buttons, it will be fine for the event and you will most likely get more wear from it than a black argyll with silver buttons. I just went downstairs and got these shots, notice I'm wearing the waistcoat with a white shirt a wool tie that picks up one of the secondary colours in the tartan, a black day wear sporran in one shot and a dress sporran in the other, along with that I've got on hose that pick up a secondary colour of the tartan, tartan flashes, and a sgian dubh. I've thrown the jacket over my shoulder, I always bring my jacket with me when I wear the matching waistcoat, you may want to do this but that is up to you and of course the weather you are dealing with. I hope this helps.

[Tribal]

I do like the look of the charcoal with the red. Maybe the HoS contemporary in charcoal with a gray-fur black dress sporran with a dark navy blue Ben Sherman shirt and a red ruche tie? I'm leaning toward charcoal socks, but if I could get them with Robertson tops that would be great.

Hopefully, of course, it looks okay and not overdone. The goal is to be able to substitute a white shirt and a more subdued tie and go to less-casual event in the future with the rest of the outfit remaining the same.

I've been looking online and can't find where one would order socks with tartan tops. Does anyone know? If that doesn't work I could just do charcoal with Robertson flashes, but again, I'm a big fan of the rust-and-iron look.

Thanks again to all!

[McMurdo]

I've been looking online and can't find where one would order socks with tartan tops. Does anyone know? If that doesn't work I could just do charcoal with Robertson flashes, but again, I'm a big fan of the rust-and-iron look.

Thanks again to all!

I think the Ben Sherman shirt would look good, not sure about the ruche tie, they are not really my cup of tea. I've tried them and well if you want to go ahead but I wouldn't. As for the hose take a look at the Scottish Tartan Museum. They have a line of specialty hose.

[fluter]

The goal is to be able to substitute a white shirt and a more subdued tie and go to less-casual event in the future with the rest of the outfit remaining the same.

I think I'd go with a white shirt and the red "power tie!"

I've been looking online and can't find where one would order socks with tartan tops. Does anyone know?

Depends on your location and time requirements... The hose Glen has on above may have come from the Scottish Tartans Museum or a highland retailer in his area.

We've seen some that were a custom hand knit, with charcoal grey legs and red and black tops.

A couple of our members have made custom tops that you can wear with solid color hose. Often these are done with a circular loom, in stripes. The same type thing could be hand knit, to any pattern you like. Any custom work probably requires lots of extra time, of course.

[McMurdo]

Ken
Those hose came from one of my local tartan shops, they had a 50% off sale and I hesitate to tell you just how little they cost, they are from Hawick and have become favourites of mine.

[davedove]

You know, it seems to me that everyone is getting too hung up on the "semi-formal". Yes, I know the classic definitions, but if the standard of this party is shirt and tie, then one shouldn't get too tied up with what they label it.

I will grant that the event was probably labeled out of ignorance of the traditional definitions and some education is needed. But it smacks of snootiness to me for someone to dress in a certain way, "because that's what the invitation said" even though you KNOW the standard of dress is different. Now, if you didn't know the common practice, then you have to go with whatever your understanding is of the definition.

That being said, if the weather permits, a jacket would be fine in this situation, although you would really need one cut for a kilt instead of a standard jacket.

[Chas]

You know, it seems to me that everyone is getting too hung up on the "semi-formal". Yes, I know the classic definitions, but if the standard of this party is shirt and tie, then one shouldn't get too tied up with what they label it.

I will grant that the event was probably labeled out of ignorance of the traditional definitions and some education is needed. But it smacks of snootiness to me for someone to dress in a certain way, "because that's what the invitation said" even though you KNOW the standard of dress is different. Now, if you didn't know the common practice, then you have to go with whatever your understanding is of the definition.

That being said, if the weather permits, a jacket would be fine in this situation, although you would really need one cut for a kilt instead of a standard jacket.

Sorry Dave, but I have to disagree with you on every point.

It is the host who sets the standard, not the guests. What would be the point of stating a dress code if the host did not expect it to be followed? If the guests choose to ignore or disregard the standard, through ignorance or disrespect for their host, that is another matter entirely.

If a club, team or society has a dress code for an event (club ties and cuff-links will be worn) and guests choose to wear the tie of a rival, they really cannot complain if they are denied entry or are asked to leave. This goes throughout society. Many sporting pastimes require the participant to have a 'licence' to take part. It shows a competence, knowledge and compliance with the rules. No compliance - no taking part. The rules for this event state semi-formal, not 'You choose'.

I go to black tie events at least once a month and white tie events at least once a year. I cannot conceive of not wearing the appropriate dress as stated on the invitation. It is not snootiness - it is politeness for one's host.

Regards

Chas

[davedove]

You misunderstood what I was saying Chas.

My graduate school has a "semi-formal" dance coming up in the fall, with their vision of semi-formal being slacks, dark/fashion collared shirt, and tie. Kind of like clubbing+, I guess.

Based on Tribal's post, it is my understanding that the host DID set the dress code, but didn't really understand the "standard" definition of semi-formal. In this case, "semi-formal" means shirt and tie for the event. Just as many people may say formal, when they really mean simply business jacket and tie (and yes that does happen).

Most people in general society don't have a clue what the different dress codes mean, other than formal should be dressier than casual. Do these people need to be educated on the levels of dress? Yeah, probably, but that's going to be a big job. Society in general is much more casual than it used to be.

All I'm saying is that one has to have an understanding of the host's desires, rather than cling tenaciously to a label. Otherwise, one could be wearing a tuxedo to an event where everyone else is in sport jacket and tie. By "snootiness" I mean the person who thinks, "Well, the invitation says formal, so I'm going to wear my tuxedo, even though I know the host really means jacket and tie."

In Tribal's case, shirt and tie would be most appropriate. A jacket could be worn, but isn't necessary.

[Chas]

My graduate school has a "semi-formal" dance coming up in the fall, with their vision of semi-formal being slacks, dark/fashion collared shirt, and tie. Kind of like clubbing+, I guess.

Dave, I think the answer is in the quote. It is a graduate school issuing the invitations. I would believe that they know what they are doing and would know the difference. The last two words, "I guess", are the most telling. This is Tribal's interpretation of their invitation. I would go with the invitation rather than anything else.

Regards

Chas