*shrugs*
I've been to quite a lot of very formal events and the only time I've ever seen white tie requested is at my college ball. Just because someone is wearing a white bowtie doesn't mean they're dressed in white tie.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 25 Jan 2011, 16:19, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

I am aware that it doesn't just refer to the tie
I'm mainly being stubborn here, but if you don't want it called a tuxedo then you can't argue with me.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 25 Jan 2011, 16:23, Reply)

I don't understand
what we're arguing about :(

White tie is not a tuxedo. You said a formal event was white-tie which it isn't. Formal = black tie in common parlance.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 25 Jan 2011, 16:25, Reply)

I was saying that black tie wasn't formal when these things were more common
but now is, as you say, in common parlance.

Likewise, a tuxedo is now synonymous with black tie (correctness is irrelevant)

if you say no to tuxedo, then really you should say no to black tie being formal.

you with me?
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 25 Jan 2011, 16:28, Reply)

Nope
because black tie is not synonomous with a tuxedo. It really isn't.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 25 Jan 2011, 16:31, Reply)

not with you or I
but it would be with many people. Because people are stupid.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 25 Jan 2011, 16:35, Reply)

I think I'll stick to my belief on this one
tuxedos are wrong. Plus we shouldn't argue over the formal thing. Your invitation generally requests black tie or white tie as required, and sometimes formal can simply mean suit for men, cocktail dress for women. Smart/casual is the real fucker
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 25 Jan 2011, 16:39, Reply)

that is very true
we have reached an accord
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 25 Jan 2011, 16:40, Reply)

piece of piss for men.
means "wear a jacket and shoes"

Jeans are fine for smart/casual as long as coupled with a shirt.

Can't women just wear anything then?
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Tue 25 Jan 2011, 16:45, Reply)