Once my husband and I were invited to a Masquerade ball. The invitation specified white tie so we showed up in tails with a white tie and a white and gold floor length gown. We were surprised to find nearly every level of dress! One gentleman was congratulating himself on dressing up so much that he actually had a tie on…. Tweed with a madras check shirt, there were even cowboy boots and tennis shoes on display! Pretty much everyone had followed was bringing some version of a mask. We impressed everyone with the effort we made and really enjoyed ourselves… but it certainly wasn’t a white tie event, not even formal. Moral of the story…. Maybe we should have read the company/general taste of the area. Though again maybe we set expectations a little higher for the next event!
If one doesn't wear white tie when it's not called for, when ever will one wear white tie? I'm no royal or Austrian, so I wear white tie when I feel the occasion fits rather than when the occasion demands it. Much more fun that way.
I don't know where this was, but I've NEVER seen true white tie in America (outside of a small number of high state functions). So, when in doubt, assume Americans will slouch! ;)
I love the historical evolution of semi-formal. I definitely think that deferring to the host/invitation will really help in distinguishing the precise level of formality that is expected for the event.
Dress codes were invented with the express purpose of making clear well defined descriptions/explanations of what you are expected to wear. If the term “semi-formal” has become unclear with conflicting definitions, then the term no longer serves its purpose.
Well said and it does apply in the US too semi-formal is black tie, even if formal is sadly somewhere between rare to unheard of in the US. I attended two weddings in the last year and neither of them made the slightest mention of dress codes on the invites, I had to ask to insure I dressed appropriately.@@MrDanielWP
@@MrDanielWP which is a shame that this channel now seems to have given up on keeping the traditions alive. I learned from GG that semi-formal is black tie only a few years back and now they list it explicitely as an example for what semi-formal is not.
@15:06 Definitely digging the micro-houndstooth sports jacket with the patch pockets. Great look. (NOTE: In this day and age, most of the population would think that outfit is semi-formal) I also enjoy the reminder that darker colors tend to evening wear, while lighter colors more for day wear.
The heat factor definitely influences formality, principally when it comes to ties and waistcoats. I was at a wedding a couple of months ago - wearing a tie, waistcoat, etc. - and as the dancing progressed my fiancée looked at me starting to sweat and said "let's lose the tie so you don't suffocate." Letting the neck breathe is the first step towards relief, so in the absence of tradition/business demand, go figure the new status quo of formality is going without the necktie in hotter climates. @MrBloopt
Agreed, sir! The same goes for ballet for me. The only exceptions for me are matinees, in which I'll wear morning dress (obviously), or certain casual opera events, like recitals or small parties, in which I'll usually wear black tie or a dark suit. I've recently taken up going to an opera house in the Rockies (Central City in Colorado) during the summer. It's during the daytime, hot out, and in what's essentially a Western mining town, so I'm skipping the formalwear there. Any opera or ballet performance at my local, urban opera house, meanwhile, is white tie or morning dress-obligatory!
I live in a small city, so if I attended my local symphony in top hat and tails I'd be far too overdressed. A suit would do fine. But if I were attending a proper opera in the city, for the opening day, it's a perfect opportunity to wear white tie.
I’m going to a musical this weekend and suggested for our group to wear black tie. Sometimes you have to make the event meet your level of dress instead of dressing down like everyone else. ❤️🔥🔥
People around here call "formal" anything that involves wearing at least a dress shirt, and even then, it''s even more like wearing any kind of shirt whatsoever, it's always been a bit of a let down for me considering how much a enjoy wearing suits.
While watching this I keep thinking about what I would want to achieve with a semi formal attire. I think I'd want to come across as approachable, warm and inviting while still dressing formal. Like Rafael at 3:46 wearing a dark magenta jacket. Or Kyle at 4:03 with a lighter gray-brown.
I feel like there's no ambiguity at all when it comes to Men's "dress code". The ambiguity comes in the form of the female persuasion for me. Maybe someone could start a "Ladies' Digest" sister channel and take on that challenge.
In Scandinavia this dress code is common at lodge meetings unless the occasion or degree is special in which case it is full white tie. So at lodge there will be a lot of charcoal, dark blue or even black suits ( though i prefer leaving black for tuxedoes etc ). These darker hues also emphasizes the regalia of the degree ( sashes, aprons or what have you ) since there are no distracting colours competing with the symbolism. Usually the ties and pocket squares are also of a more subdued colour.
Nice info! Difficult to pin down. But if you consider each part of your wardrobe on a spectrum of denim informal to full out white tie and tails formal. Say shoes from leather sneaks, through loafers, derbies, cap toe oxfords to whole cuts, and then shirts from white, through solid colors, patterns then chambray and polos. Then suit/coat fabrics/patterns. I know...assign each level a number. So a 7-color suit, with a 4-shoe and 9-shirt. Okay, I'm overthinking this...which is part of the conundrum of semi-formal after all.
The classical definition of semi-formal is a dinner jacket with black tie. Formal is full dress tuxedo (tails) and white tie. Casual is sport coat with tie.
I've heard it said that traditionally pinstriped suits, also chalk stripes etc should only be worn for day events and not in the evening. Likewise checked suits were also daywear but more for sporting occasions like a day at the races. At 10:43 you mention light coloured suits but I would also suggest that light grey, or "dove grey" suits, morning grey etc can be worn for daytime events such as a guest at a wedding. My grandfather wore one to my parents' wedding
I think this is Nathan's best video so far. He seems so much more at ease in this video. Well done! But would somebody (or 2 or 3 people) please tackle Kyle and get him to wear clothing that fits! EVERYTHING he wears appears way too tight on him. Kyle's physique is much more impressive than Sven's, but Sven's clothes fit him so much better that his silhouette looks better than Kyle's.
Around here, very few people know the definitions of *any* of these terms. On multiple occasions, I have reached out to a host to clarify what *they* wish the dress code to be.
I recently received a wedding invitation with the dress code being semi formal. It was mostly an outdoor event in hot weather and decided to phone the bride for clarification - it turns out her idea of semi formal is actually smart casual. Are the young redefining the code?
In the US, everything is so casual that anything not a T-shirt and jeans is considered “formal” for the vast majority of the public. Just wearing a sport coat or a tie passes for form these days.
Hey gentlemen im from The Great Country Of New Zealand and im 13 can u do a video on boarding school and how to wear an school blazer etc. i really love your guys videos keep up the great work God Bless You❤
Thanks for uncovering this topic so comprehensively. I always felt confused by the dress code, even though I have yet to encounter it. I did notice, that a lot of ties shown in this video were not tied with a dimple, but rather flat. Are you changing your opinion on the topic or was that just a coincidence?
While we certainly appreciate the look of a good tie dimple, and encourage men to learn how to tie one (using the video linked below), we also believe there's room for a more nonchalantly tied tie if one desires a bit of sprezzatura. Thanks for watching! -Preston www.gentlemansgazette.com/tie-dimple-how-to-guide/?
Hmmm... While I wouldn't want to doubt or criticise your expertise and accept you know far more than me I was hoping for a video on my favoured dress style of more relaxed smartness. So without a tie or possibly some boots rather than shoes, all while wearing a jacket. Or me wearing a suit more casually (check some of the tieless photos of the Saville Row Tailor Oswald Boateng). Maybe what I'm talking about is smart-casual or semi formal, semi casual and a different video??
I'd beg to differ in the formality scale: Smart Casual - no tie required Semi-Formal - Tie required but not necessarily a suit. Formal - Appropriate Suit and Tie Black Tie - Appropriate Suit and Black Bow Tie Morning Suit - as per White Tie - as per Cultural/Regional variations may apply, in Texas I'm sure your best cowboy boots could be worn to a black tie event. I'd say what you were wearing falls firmly into the 'Smart Casual' category.
I've always understood it as smart casual - no suit or tie required business casual - suit or tie business - suit and tie semi-formal - conservative dark suit and tie or black tie formal - white tie or morning dress
Would you consider semi-formal ware to be the same as what used to be called Sunday best. Would semi-formal in the classic sense be appropriate for a tea party or tea dance? The more dressy the dress code is, the more you get to wear the suits, jackets, ties, pocket squares and cufflinks that are owned, but also mostly forgotten about. I’ve seen jeans and flannel shirts worn at a wedding and at the opera. Neither was accompanied by a tie or a jacket of any sort.
Thank you for yet another great video. Constructive criticism: One man is shown walking, incorrectly wearing his brown double-breasted suit with the bottom button, buttoned. The jacket needs some tailoring, as there's puckering on the right shoulder at the seam.
It is not incorrect in itself to button the bottom button on a DB suit, as it is a traditional British way of wearing it. But I completely agree that the jacket is way too tight.
Cary Grant and Fred Astaire have been seen with the bottom button of their double-breasted suit coat undone. King Charles typically wears his with both buttons done, but there is an image of him in an 8x3 double-breasted blazer with every button undone. I would say that if King Charles wears both buttons fastened, it's alright, as is the alternatives. Even the Duke of Windsor wore his double-breasted suits with only the bottom(!) button fastened.
Formal to the average person these days would mean a conservative dark business suit, white shirt and a solid dark coloured tie. If you put semi formal then most people would be thinking of wearing things like suits with no ties and coloured shirts, lightered coloured suits or sports coats with odd trousers/chinos.
I personally would have defined semi-formal as black or midnight blue suit (without satin lapel facings and galons) + long tie + dark dress shoes. All of the other options I see here strike me as the upper end of business casual. But then again, I'm nearly 60 years old, so what do I know, right?
Oh well... living in a country where Cocktail/Semi-Formal are the dressiest Dress Codes used, I like wearing Black-Tie anytime Semi-Formal is requested, except of course, when it's a wedding, just to not dress over the Groom.
I need to get a jacket and trousers in both grey and brown. Should I buy just trousers and sports coats or buy two suits and use them as separates as well?
Hello, I'm going to my first homecoming, and I our dress is semi-formal. However, I wanted to wear a black jean jacket with patches on it. Is that acceptable?
My lifelong understanding (and the code to which I still hold myself) is that semi-formal is black tie (white or black dinner jackets, morning suits, etc.), while formal is strictly white tie and tails. There are, sadly, far too few occasions for which formal attire is required any longer and, seemingly day by day, fewer events for which semi-formal is specified. Nothing brings down an otherwise elegant environment quite so much as being surrounded by the underdressed, except for the presence of children. I'll continue to mourn the ongoing devolution of sartorial standards (and, unfortunately, every other sort) while nearly always being the best-dressed person in the room.
Raphael has always said that a pocket square should never harmonise with a tie/bowtie. Whilst it may seem like the simplest way to coordinate your attire, matching your tie to your pocket square is breaking all style rules. The purpose of the pocket square is to complement the rest of your ensemble with a design that offers a contrast, in order to accentuate the look.
"Raphael has always said that a pocket square should never harmonise with a tie/bowtie" Noe, he said it should never MATCH or be the same. It should definitely "harmonize" (as opposed to clash with) your tie.
I enjoy your video but think you are “preaching to the choir”. The people that watch you video already know how to dress and people that wear jeans, tee shirts and trainers to the opera don’t.
Outside of hosting your own event, it is the only place left that's open to the public to wear white tie. Any other event, you need to either be somebody, or be a part of something.
@@darthdiamo6902 True, with a small exception of ballroom dance. As a ballroom dancer myself, I greatly enjoy going to formal social dances - say, New Year's Eve dances, Mardi Gras balls, and other types of events. One doesn't even need to be an expert to go to those sorts of ballroom dancing things. Some competitions actually require white tie in the world of ballroom dance, too. I also would note that I consider any sort of formal ball or gala "white tie optional." (And for me, optional means obligatory.) For example, there's a 1940s-themed Christmas ball here in Denver, and I wear white tie to that. I also wore white tie to the Opera Colorado black tie gala - but maybe that's the same as opera.
@@themoderndandy713 I forgot about ballroom dance. One of the hardest parts of men's wear is the info gathering: Brands, Events, Style rules, etc. It seems that these types of ballroom dance/gala primarily takes place during Christmas/New Year's season, and in big cities/state capitals. I'll try and find some events near me, but as stated, search engines can be, Less-than-useful, so unless you're, in-the-know, I feel it hard to find. Do you have any tips for when it comes to trying to find these events?
@@themoderndandy713 , Where I live (Houston) tends to be on the casual side of attire. However, New Year's Eve dances (especially if ballroom is in the music mix) are one of the few places where people dress up. The last one I went to (2021-2022) there were four men wearing creative black tie. I went in a semi-formal kilt ensemble, so I didn't feel underdressed. On the other hand, I wasn't wearing my dressiest kilt, because my wife wanted me to wear the one that complemented her blue dress. Oh well. There will be other years.
I almost understood what he said.Thank goodness, I am a common man that has no need for this type of attire. Love the role playing to get to dress up though.
I find most wedding invitations are not this specific and it's almost impossible to know where on the scale to really go, but always err on the side of overdressed, right?
There's usually that awkward conversation where either somebody is TOO casual in a polo shirt but nobody wants to point it out or the one where the bride says something like, "OMG, you didn't NEED to get SO dressed up!"
