To black tie or not to black tie

[Jauntyone]

I see your point, 59Lark. Styles change and evolve--which is fortunate for otherwise we'd all still be wearing togas! Each generation in recent history has become more casual than the last. No-one can change the trend.
I would hope, though, that the current trend for truely outrageous clothing would at least, as compensation, foster a greater degree of tolerance towards those of us who like dressing in a more old-fashioned way. We might particularly hope that our own loved-ones would be tolerant of a bit of sartorial whimsy if done in good taste and with the right attitude.

 

[lairddouglas]

to Tie or not To Tie in Noir

I say posting this after Christmas that you should have dressed in a Dinner Suit.

Although a gentleman always shows deference toward the host I feel all to often now people underdress too much.

I personally wear a velvet dinner jacket for Thanksgiving, Christmas & Easter. My brother always complains about me being overdressed ... alas it is more comfortable for me then his prefered mode of sweatshirt and jeans.

I also have been known to dress up for work on holidays .. typically have to work the major holidays and feel it cheers up my co-workers and myself when I wear my formal wear.

 

[anglophile]

I have been asked to update this thread.
I went with the sportcoat and tie, even though I still say my family wouldn't care.

Went black tie New Years eve.

 

[avedwards]

A bit late for Christmas, but my opinion on black tie outside its normal realm.

I once wore a tuxedo for an informal prize giving event and my friends liked it, although I did stick out a lot. My advice: for parties with friends (be they formal or not), wear black tie but act relaxed to show that you are not stuck up. For family occaisions, unless everyone else is dressing the same (or at least with some formality such as a suit), don' wear a tuxedo.

Above all, when wearing a tuxedo out of its normal context, act relaxed (like Humphrey Bogart) and look as though you wear these clothes every day of your life.