dress codes

glenstan

I would have thought if someone had gone to the trouble of stating what to wear , that the occasion was one to be remembered.

sp1987

Maybe it is only you who have been given a dress code, stemming from previous times you may have caused embarrassment by turning up looking like a victor meldrew who had been dragged through oxfam by a dozen mad goats.

Go, don't go. Why ask the internet??

Norma_Desmond

As others have pointed out, if this 'do' is a bit Hyacinth Bucket suburban, then the hosts do rather sound like social climbers.

But hey, it's their choice to stipulate the dress code and no-one HAS to go.

The smartest garden party I ever went to was held by a titled 'old money' family and the invitations didn't even mention dress; the elderly male host wore crumpled Bermuda shorts, a straw boater with a big hole in it AND flip-flops.

Pure class! :T

Imp

1) Specifying a dress code makes it easier for the guests to choose what to wear, so putting it on the invitation is courteous of the host.

2) If everyone bar one person turns up following a particular dress code (specified or implied) then the only person who feels uncomfortable is the person who hasn't conformed; it's human nature.

Edited to add:

Imagine a picnic, one where the women wore pretty dresses and the men wore smart trousers and a jacket. It would be a completely different picnic to one where the same people all turned up in jeans and T-shirt. What you wear does affect you.

missmontana

I went to a party last night, the dress code was black tie and posh frocks, it was wonderful seeing everyone dressed up having made an effort.

mazinmouse

On a practical note - the combination of shorts and mozzies has never been a pleasant one, in my experience, even with careful application of repellants!