What Does Casual Mean
Cut-off time for Brahn Boots.
Rowan-Martin routine:
Dan: You have brown shoes. Nobody should wear brown shoes after 5.
Dick: After five I usually don't wear anything. After three if they're doubles.
Rowan-Martin routine:
Dan: You have brown shoes. Nobody should wear brown shoes after 5.
Dick: After five I usually don't wear anything. After three if they're doubles.
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Dan: You have brown shoes. Nobody should wear brown shoes after 5.
Cunning Artificer
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Debretts is too stuffy. Designer jeans are ok. One wears them to the Conservative Association Supper Club evenings - taking the lead from our MP. Casual jacket is of course, required.
Nor should brown boots be worn any closer to London than Windsor.
I remember, from CESR, that etiquette dictates that the guest's comfort should be the priority, and guests if any doubt should dress down. Remember that most people in the UK these days have no idea what real etiquette is, and treat the whole thing as a points-scoring exercise, so it's best to dress slightly up.
Airborne Artist has the safest policy, I reckon.
Canada casual (as far as I have observed): shoulders to thighs covered (attractive members of either sex exempted in summer), leave hunt kills outside, clean dogs allowed.
I remember, from CESR, that etiquette dictates that the guest's comfort should be the priority, and guests if any doubt should dress down. Remember that most people in the UK these days have no idea what real etiquette is, and treat the whole thing as a points-scoring exercise, so it's best to dress slightly up.
Airborne Artist has the safest policy, I reckon.
Canada casual (as far as I have observed): shoulders to thighs covered (attractive members of either sex exempted in summer), leave hunt kills outside, clean dogs allowed.
There appears to be a new dress description for certain functions, described as 'business casual'....
WTF is that? Most ignorant civilians look like $hite in a collar and tie these days, as they are seemingly unable to knot a tie correctly.... This can be a problem; when I was at school we were forbidden to adopt the 'Windsor' knot (even though the abdication was at least 30 years in the past) and were only permitted to use the simple knot; however, RAFC insisted upon the Windsor so as a Flight Cadet I had to unlearn about 12 years of tie wearing experience overnight....
Mind you, some years ago the boss* of a certain VC10 squadron sent out some invites for 'informal drinks' at his MQ. Being something of a grammar school oik, he had the temerity to state on the stiffies he'd sent that 'lounge suits' should be worn, presuming that ignorance amongst his guests would equal his own lack of breeding...
This was manna from heaven for one chap (a Fg Off), who promptly turned up in some garish purple crushed velvet 1970s abortion with loon pants and enormous lapels, complete with flowered shirt and matching kipper tie - his wife refused to talk to him for several days afterwards!
Standards must be slipping if Debrett's has felt obliged to advise its readers to 'avoid sportswear and wear smart shoes, never trainers'. Good grief!
Surely the term 'designer jeans' is an oxymoron?
*who might have been infamous for his trip to Phnom Penh in earlier years....
WTF is that? Most ignorant civilians look like $hite in a collar and tie these days, as they are seemingly unable to knot a tie correctly.... This can be a problem; when I was at school we were forbidden to adopt the 'Windsor' knot (even though the abdication was at least 30 years in the past) and were only permitted to use the simple knot; however, RAFC insisted upon the Windsor so as a Flight Cadet I had to unlearn about 12 years of tie wearing experience overnight....
Mind you, some years ago the boss* of a certain VC10 squadron sent out some invites for 'informal drinks' at his MQ. Being something of a grammar school oik, he had the temerity to state on the stiffies he'd sent that 'lounge suits' should be worn, presuming that ignorance amongst his guests would equal his own lack of breeding...
This was manna from heaven for one chap (a Fg Off), who promptly turned up in some garish purple crushed velvet 1970s abortion with loon pants and enormous lapels, complete with flowered shirt and matching kipper tie - his wife refused to talk to him for several days afterwards! Standards must be slipping if Debrett's has felt obliged to advise its readers to 'avoid sportswear and wear smart shoes, never trainers'. Good grief!
Designer jeans are ok.
*who might have been infamous for his trip to Phnom Penh in earlier years....
Last edited by BEagle; 29th Sep 2012 at 20:42.
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Harrumph --- dropping standards what? --- in my day --- disgusting what they deem acceptable nowadays --- no wonder the Empire fell --- was a time when everybody knew what was expected and strove to achieve it ---
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
During the day I was in RAF smart-cas uniform, ie scruffy lightweight trousers and a dirty cheap, short-sleeved, open-necked shirt. They were in jacket, tie and white shirt.
That evening we met in their 3* hotel in our village. I was wearing jacket and tie as one should in a smart hotel. They were wearing smart-cas uniform, ie scruffy lightweight trousers and a dirty cheap, short-sleeved, open-necked shirt.
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WTF is that? Most ignorant civilians look like $hite in a collar and tie these days, as they are seemingly unable to knot a tie correctly
Look at the staff directory and I am the only one with a tie.
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This was manna from heaven for one chap (a Fg Off), who promptly turned up in some garish purple crushed velvet 1970s abortion with loon pants and enormous lapels, complete with flowered shirt and matching kipper tie
DF
As an infrequent user of the Club I'm not au fait with the current rules. However, if we are to return to dress codes over specifying forms (acceptable and unacceptable) then why not something less formal for Running Horse and more formal for Cowdray?
Also, recalling the officers' mess scene from Lawrence, surely gentlemen would keep their opinion of someone else's dress to themselves.
Batco
As an infrequent user of the Club I'm not au fait with the current rules. However, if we are to return to dress codes over specifying forms (acceptable and unacceptable) then why not something less formal for Running Horse and more formal for Cowdray?
Also, recalling the officers' mess scene from Lawrence, surely gentlemen would keep their opinion of someone else's dress to themselves.
Batco
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Thank you all for your advice
Well, good morning Gentlemen.
I must thank you all for the invaluable advice that you provided yesterday.
I did as AA, Courtney and Damian Suggested. I wore lederhosen, the gimp mask and clogs. I was unable to obtain a whippet, but was able to get hold of the neighbours goat. My partner "Miss Midnight the Bondage Queen" was dressed in thigh length black rubber boots, a very natty, extremely close fitting one piece rubber cat suit (in black) and a turqoise/ gold Venetian masquerade mask. With no pockets Miss Midnight thought that the chain and collar around my neck would admirably meet any possible requirements (I.e. it isn't a tie, but at the same time is sufficiently like a tie).
We were fashionably late for the event, that specifically stated "Please be on time". This was not down to any desire on our behalf to make an entrance, more due to the taxi driver turning up, seeing Miss Midnight, goat, and self on the footway waiting. The taxi driver slowed down, saw us, did a jaw drop, and accelerated away at a high rate off knots. I am guessing that he must have had a more urgent task. Unfortunately whilst admiring my natty dress sense he drove in to the back of a van.
We ended up having to ask our neighbour, who has a nervous tic and laugh, if she would be kind enough to offer her services. She did.
Upon arrival at the location for the event Miss Midnight, goat and self vacated the now somewhat smelly car. I don't think the goat can be blamed entirely. There were two doormen, both with bulging armpits. One, upon seeing us, reached out for the wall behind him. Unfortunately there was no wall, so he fell over.
We were eventually allowed in, sans goat. On entering the champagne reception area a waitress dropped her tray of Krug champagne; the string quartet in the corner stopped playing with a twang of a cello string; and silence fell very quickly upon the guests. There were a number of big, burly chaps dressed in dark blazers, dark glasses and wearing hearing aids who all reached for their armpits. It was interesting to see the effect on the guests. Not a few of the male guests looked me up and down in an admiring way, whilst the majority of woman just looked faint, sick, or both.
Thanks for the advice chaps. Not a single woman was dressed in something that cost less than £3,000. The men, all, wore jackets. Some wore ties, the majority did not.
It ended up being rather an entertaining evening. The guests did seem to enjoy the part when Miss Midnight whipped me in time to music from the live musicians. Did I mention that Miss Midnight had brought her whip along?
Will Miss Midnight and self ever be invited back to such charity events do you think?
Oh yes, if any one sees a white goat with black leather bootees, a Zorro mask and lipstick please will you be kind enough to let me know. My neighbour wants it returned.
I must thank you all for the invaluable advice that you provided yesterday.
I did as AA, Courtney and Damian Suggested. I wore lederhosen, the gimp mask and clogs. I was unable to obtain a whippet, but was able to get hold of the neighbours goat. My partner "Miss Midnight the Bondage Queen" was dressed in thigh length black rubber boots, a very natty, extremely close fitting one piece rubber cat suit (in black) and a turqoise/ gold Venetian masquerade mask. With no pockets Miss Midnight thought that the chain and collar around my neck would admirably meet any possible requirements (I.e. it isn't a tie, but at the same time is sufficiently like a tie).
We were fashionably late for the event, that specifically stated "Please be on time". This was not down to any desire on our behalf to make an entrance, more due to the taxi driver turning up, seeing Miss Midnight, goat, and self on the footway waiting. The taxi driver slowed down, saw us, did a jaw drop, and accelerated away at a high rate off knots. I am guessing that he must have had a more urgent task. Unfortunately whilst admiring my natty dress sense he drove in to the back of a van.
We ended up having to ask our neighbour, who has a nervous tic and laugh, if she would be kind enough to offer her services. She did.
Upon arrival at the location for the event Miss Midnight, goat and self vacated the now somewhat smelly car. I don't think the goat can be blamed entirely. There were two doormen, both with bulging armpits. One, upon seeing us, reached out for the wall behind him. Unfortunately there was no wall, so he fell over.
We were eventually allowed in, sans goat. On entering the champagne reception area a waitress dropped her tray of Krug champagne; the string quartet in the corner stopped playing with a twang of a cello string; and silence fell very quickly upon the guests. There were a number of big, burly chaps dressed in dark blazers, dark glasses and wearing hearing aids who all reached for their armpits. It was interesting to see the effect on the guests. Not a few of the male guests looked me up and down in an admiring way, whilst the majority of woman just looked faint, sick, or both.
Thanks for the advice chaps. Not a single woman was dressed in something that cost less than £3,000. The men, all, wore jackets. Some wore ties, the majority did not.
It ended up being rather an entertaining evening. The guests did seem to enjoy the part when Miss Midnight whipped me in time to music from the live musicians. Did I mention that Miss Midnight had brought her whip along?
Will Miss Midnight and self ever be invited back to such charity events do you think?
Oh yes, if any one sees a white goat with black leather bootees, a Zorro mask and lipstick please will you be kind enough to let me know. My neighbour wants it returned.
Last edited by hval; 30th Sep 2012 at 08:15. Reason: Asterisks.
PN
Thankyou. I'll bear that in mind next time Mrs Batco and I visit UK. The next conundrum is what to wear to theatre. We have tickets in what is advertised as the 'dress circle'.
Batco
Thankyou. I'll bear that in mind next time Mrs Batco and I visit UK. The next conundrum is what to wear to theatre. We have tickets in what is advertised as the 'dress circle'.
Batco
Well, done, hval, for maintaining standards. I must confess to one slightly nervous moment whilst reading your excellent acccount when it occured to me that we might have been at the same bash. I was relieved when you told us that no one else had your taste in dress - must have been different parties.
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Courtney Mil
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Well, done, hval, for maintaining standards. I must confess to one slightly nervous moment whilst reading your excellent acccount when it occured to me that we might have been at the same bash. I was relieved when you told us that no one else had your taste in dress - must have been different parties.
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Well, done, hval, for maintaining standards. I must confess to one slightly nervous moment whilst reading your excellent acccount when it occured to me that we might have been at the same bash. I was relieved when you told us that no one else had your taste in dress - must have been different parties.
.
Last edited by NutLoose; 30th Sep 2012 at 15:06.