Going to a banquet need your opinion

[street]

I will be traveling to a small community for a community social event they are having. There will be people I went to school with and many folks in that area I know.

There is a banquet one evening and I really don't want to dress up real bad.

So, my question is would it be acceptable to wear a nice pair of outer shorts, nice T-shirt, nice shirt and shoes and socks? I can hard stand to put a pair of pants on in summer, unless I am at the ranch.

My wife said I look like a bum! Lol All nice cloths I can't see why it matters, my legs will under a table.

Okay, so what is your opinion? These people will be older and my age and younger attending this small town event.

 

[REWahoo]

Listen to your wife and wear some long pants and a collared shirt. Show a little respect to both those in attendance and to yourself.

 

[street]

Listen to your wife and wear some long pants and a collared shirt. Show a little respect to both those in attendance and to yourself.

Okay, looks like she maybe right. Thanks

 

[RetireeRobert]

There is a banquet one evening and I really don't want to dress up real bad.

So, my question is would it be acceptable to wear a nice pair of outer shorts, nice T-shirt, nice shirt and shoes and socks? I can hard stand to put a pair of pants on in summer, unless I am at the ranch.

My wife said I look like a bum! Lol All nice cloths I can't see why it matters, my legs will under a table.
.

Happy wife, happy life!

Find a nice lightweight thin cloth pair of slacks and wear those. And a lightweight short-sleeve shirt. I think a tie is unnecessary this day and age.

 

[street]

RetireeRobert, times have changed in how people dress these days but I will see if I have any dress slacks that fit. I guess she was right. I'm going alone, so she wouldn't have to be seen with the bum anyway. lol

 

[RetireeRobert]

I guess she was right. I'm going alone, so she wouldn't have to be seen with the bum anyway. lol

She would not be there physically. But her voice would be on your shoulder all evening, saying "you should have dressed a little nicer for these folks."

 

[Jerry1]

I would agree that some slacks and a collared shirt would be best and that is what I would wear, however, I think that you should do you. As long as everything is clean and not tattered, you should wear what you’re comfortable in. These are people you know. You don’t have anything to prove to them. They probably know you’re a causal dresser. You didn’t say, but if this thing is outdoors, then I’d feel even stronger about wearing the shorts.

Also, in your description, you said a T shirt AND a nice shirt. I assume that means a short sleeved collard shirt with a t-shirt underneath. That and a pair of shorts doesn’t sound bad at all. Especially if the weather is over something like 80 degrees.

Street should be Street. You seem like a complete gentleman on this forum and I can’t see you being anything but authentic and I’m sure everyone will accept that. Have a good time.

 

[youbet]

There is a banquet one evening

"Evening" is the key word street. If the banquet was during the day in the summer, some nice shorts and shirt would do it. But in the evening, we're likely talkin' about some dress slacks, a collared shirt, closed toe shoes with socks, etc. Sigh..........

This is one of those things that probably isn't worth fighting. Go with the common convention and focus on reconnecting with old friends, etc. Should be a good time!

 

[ivinsfan]

RetireeRobert, times have changed in how people dress these days but I will see if I have any dress slacks that fit. I guess she was right. I'm going alone, so she wouldn't have to be seen with the bum anyway. lol

Try goodwill or your local thrift store and you can re donate the offending long pants after the dinner..

 

[RetireeRobert]

Try goodwill or your local thrift store and you can re donate the offending long pants after the dinner..

Capitol idea!! I myself have a couple shirts in my wardrobe I got at the local Union Gospel Mission thrift store about 20 years ago. I still wear them. As I recall, they cost me about $1.50 each.

 

[RobbieB]

How about jeans and a shirt? I hate slacks too. Wore those when I was working.

 

[Bamaman]

When I started work, we wore sport coats and ties. Then we went to just shirt & ties except with casual Fridays when it was khaki pants and a golf shirt. Then we went to khaki pants and golf shirts as a uniform.

In retirement, it's jean shorts (Walmart) and two $6 T shirts from Dollar General--one Auburn, one Alabama. My Sunday wardrobe is back to khaki pants and golf shirt.

And in our retirement, we no longer even attend social occasions (like banquets) that are not church affiliated.

Post retirement, I no longer even own a suit. I told my wife to just put me in shorts and a sport coat at visitation.

 

[DrRoy]

You can get very light pants that will be cooler, and a golf shirt.

 

[street]

You people are fantastic! I value all of your direction and that is why I posted my dilemma. I know I will get an honest answers and direction.

I will see what I have that will work in my arsenal, and get a nay or yay from the boss. Lol

 

[Aerides]

Yeah, evening + banquet means pants and shirt with a button and collars. No jeans, no shorts, no t-shirts, no sneakers. Don't even have to drag the wife into this.

I have never felt uncomfortable if I've attended something slightly over dressed, but if I'm more casual that most attendees it doesn't feel good. No doubt, somewhere online you can find pics of past events with this group - use those as your guide.

 

[NW-Bound]

... No doubt, somewhere online you can find pics of past events with this group - use those as your guide.

+1

Go with the flow. You don't want to stand out.

 

[street]

^ you folks are are right. The one thing I do not want to be is to stand out like a sore thumb.

 

[EastWest Gal]

My niece was kind enough to put in dress code for her wedding, so that people didn't come ready for hiking or feel like they needed to put on a suit or dress and nylons (yuck!). Could you possibly ask the people putting on the banquet what their expectation is for dress?

I agree with others that long pants such as Dockers or khakis and a golf/polo shirt would be reasonably comfortable and not out of place.

 

[HawkeyeNFO]

Are you that person that wears pajamas at the airport?

 

[Amethyst]

In my opinion, he can wear new-looking athetic shoes. Many men don't even own dress shoes, and they can be expensive to buy new. In addition, since these are old friends, he will probably see other men wearing athletic shoes because of foot issues, diabetes, etc.

Personally I love to dress up, and so does Mr. A. - but we are seeing a wide variety of dressing these days, even at the theater (when there was theater!) and in church.

Yeah, evening + banquet means pants and shirt with a button and collars. No jeans, no shorts, no t-shirts, no sneakers. Don't even have to drag the wife into this.

.

 

[38Chevy454]

Have to agree with the rest, some long pants and a regular shirt that buttons up. Pants could be jeans if they are nice and the event is more casual, otherwise just some dockers type pants. Nothing more fancy required. The short can be a casual short sleeve type, especially if the event has any outside portion.


I am with Street though, if I could get away with it I would be on the extreme casual side of dressing. At this point in my life I am not working to impress anybody with fancy clothes, accept me how I am. I have never been one to enjoy getting dressed up.

 

[NW-Bound]

My niece was kind enough to put in dress code for her wedding, so that people didn't come ready for hiking or feel like they needed to put on a suit or dress and nylons (yuck!). Could you possibly ask the people putting on the banquet what their expectation is for dress?

I agree with others that long pants such as Dockers or khakis and a golf/polo shirt would be reasonably comfortable and not out of place.

My daughter did not specify the dress code for her wedding. Everybody showed up in formal attire: men in suits, women in evening dresses. I even bought my own tux for the occasion. Have not had a chance to use it since.

PS. The black-tie attire is called semi-formal. For real formal, you need a white-tie attire. The latter is too much for me. I don't see myself ever want to wear that, or even need or want to go to an event requiring that.

 

[Amethyst]

True formal is hardly ever seen. Maybe at a state dinner! To be honest, I don't even find true formal all that attractive. Tuxes never fit right. Women wear overly-constructed gowns with aging boobs half-exposed, over-constructed hair full of spray, etc.

Semi-formal I like, because it is a chance to wear something really flattering and break out the good jewelry. Also, pantyhose never bothered me. I like seeing my legs in 'em. Fortunately, this will not likely be an issue for street.

PS. The black-tie attire is called semi-formal. For real formal, you need a white-tie attire. .

 

[NW-Bound]

I still remember my first ever cruise. For the formal dinner, I put on my suit, and thought that I was doing good.

As soon as I left the cabin and approached the common area, I felt underdressed. Many men were dressed up in tux! Dang!

In the most recent cruise a few years ago it was less formal, and I did not feel out of place with just a dinner jacket. Even though I have my own tux now, it's better to travel light and not have to bring along so many clothes.

 

[Chuckanut]

Dress casual can be quite nice. I don't believe in a lot of formality, but being severely under-dressed sends a message. Sort of like showing up to help a friend paint his house in $700 worth of designer duds. You might even stash a tie in the glove compartment just in case. Maybe one of those Western Bolo ties and a ten gallon hat. Just make sure you actually know something about Ranching. Big Hat, No Cattle is not the way you want to be described.