How formal is formal?

[AngelFan]

I’m going to be on the Pride next month for a family get-together. I have one relative that doesn’t own a sports jacket, much less a suit. He is wondering if slacks, a dress shirt, and a tie (no jacket) is acceptable in the dining room on formal nights.

 

[Cruzman]

Although the recommended dress is jacket and tie on formal night, no one is ever turned away for violating the recommended dress code. Your relative will be fine with just a shirt and tie.

 

[Cruizer]

AngelFan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I’m going to be on the Pride next month for a
> family get-together. I have one relative that
> doesn’t own a sports jacket, much less a suit. He
> is wondering if slacks, a dress shirt, and a tie
> (no jacket) is acceptable in the dining room on
> formal nights.

On the Pride this will not be a problem. Go, have fun and don't worry about it.

I was on the Pride in May 2004 and a nice shirt, tie, nice pants and shoes is not going to be anywhere near the most casual dress for formal evening on the Pride.

 

[lainie]

You'll see a lot if variation. Tuxes, suits, sport coats and ties, shirts and ties, ladies in pants suits, dresses, skirts and blouses, all the way up to long, formal gowns with sequins. They are pretty flexible about what they allow into the dining rooms.

 

[serene56]

Formal night is as formal as YOU want it to be.

I love formal night--but only one stands out in my mind-- its of a family that came into the dining room on formal nights all decked out in tee shirts imprinted with the tux design..

An effort was made. I dont think I ever paid much attention to what people around me was wearing except this once.

a shirt and tie will not call attention to himself.

 

[BlueChef]

All above ok.....BUT, surely he could borrow a sports jacket from another relative or friend? It's so nice for everyone to try to follow the dress code on formal nights. (Also, the photo they take might be taken into consideration?) Everyone dressed appropriately except this one guy? He'd feel pretty badly, I think.

 

[AngelFan]

Thanks, all, for the advise. Personally, I agree with you, BC. However, for him, getting a coat is not the problem; wearing it is the problem. If he was allowed, I think he’d wear a tee-shirt on formal night. In fact, he offered to wear his “best†tee-shirt! He knows everyone will be dressed up to some degree, and knows the rest of us at the table will be formal, but he doesn’t care. He has grudgingly agreed to a tie, so I just wanted to make sure he wouldn’t be asked to leave.