Comments on: Social Primer is a great site.

By: Jeff Naylor

Jeff Naylor — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:35:34 +0000

You are correct, sir. The stroller is the semi-formal version of the morning coat, essentially identical with the exception of the absence of the tails. I have a stroller that I wear on occasion. Last time I wore it was to Red Cross of Constantine, most of the fellows wear dinner jackets, but since the meeting was at 4PM I wore the stroller instead. 4PM is that gray area…

By: mp

mp — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:13:44 +0000

Br. Jeff, I have answered my own question – it is the stroller jacket, which is essentially the same cut as a dinner jacket, but in dark grey or charcoal, without satin lapels, and worn with necktie, and waiscoat, white shirt w/lay down collar, and .lighter grey striped or checked trouser, like would be worn with a morning coat.

My girlfriend has just informed me I am never allowed to wear it, as she cannot imagine being invited to a daytime semi-formal event that really means that.

Alas.

By: mp

mp — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:34:38 +0000

I think it means they’re afraid to make people think they’re being snooty, by assuming every man invited will either have a dinner suit, or will buy one/rent one for this occasion.

It’s one reason I liked being an officer in a Mass. Lodge – I had an excuse to buy a dinner suit, and wear it at least once a month – now I have one if I need it, and I don’t feel like wearing my Blues OR Mess Dress.

It raises a question in my mind however – I know cutaways/morning coats are the appropriate formal wear for day time, but what is the appropriate SEMI formal wear?

By: Jeff Naylor

Jeff Naylor — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:36:33 +0000

I agree with SP, there’s no such thing as “Black Tie Optional,” it just means that they want you to wear a dinner suit and they’re just afraid to say so.

My feeling about the matter is that I don’t pay attention to the “optional,” and wear black tie, which then means to be that my lady should probably be in a cocktail dress. The problem of course is that term means different things to different people. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with the Little Black Dress on those occasions.

Generally women have a better sense about these things than we do anyway.

By: mp

mp — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:26:29 +0000

Br.Jeff, having this discussion with my girlfriend, and I was talking about the sometimes used phrase “Black tie optional” …

What about women in such a situation?

I have seen varying suggestions, mostly going with – match your date.
What if a lady is going staggette?

I have also seen cocktail dress, evening dress, as well as evening gown, or even “dressy evening separates”.

I think one of the issues is that women’s fashion depends so much on, well, fashion.

She has even gone so far as to get a gown-like dress to wear when I am in black-tie (not optional) in my mess-dress uniform … she shudders to think what she would have to do should I go whole-hog and buy “evening mess” which is white tie and waistcoat (or vest, as the regulations say)

By: Jeff Naylor

Jeff Naylor — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:59:58 +0000

Right off the top of my head I can’t come up with an appropriate time TO wear one of those.

Of course, I don’t live in Texas, and I’m sure they’d have a different opinion of the matter.

By: Tom Accuosti

Tom Accuosti — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:58:08 +0000

So, I should not wear my Texas string tie with my polo shirt?