Silly question about dress codes

[mommydama]

commonreader especially...but anyone else is welcome to throw in their opinion too, of course.

Brad and I were just having an intense discussion about the definition of "smart casual". The dress code for the Capitol tour and reception tomorrow is labeled "smart casual". This is not a code we are very familiar with yet. So what does it mean? Can I wear a simple, summery, brown solid colored dress? I wore it to my cousin's wedding, but I dressed it up with jewelry and the wedding was VERY casual as wedding's go. The groomsmen didn't even wear ties, just sport coats and khakis. Anyway, the real discussion was about what that means for Brad. Does he need to wear a long sleeved, button down shirt? A tie? It is SOOOO hot right now, could he get away with a nice short sleeved, collared shirt? Just wondering....

Comments

[mercyorbemoaned.livejournal.com]

He's a soldier, he's supposed to preserve civilization.

ah, I found it

[mercyorbemoaned.livejournal.com]

We had a delightful lunch at the Spitfire Café with Pvt. Cheeseman of the Home Guard in full uniform, who talked about the notion that it is too uncomfortable to dress formally in hot weather being purely psychological. If it is part of what one Simply Does, the one simply does it and thinks no more about it.

I have always felt the same myself. After all, if bongos (as they probably soon will) considered it in order to walk the streets naked, they would be assuring us that they could not possibly submit to the mediaeval rigour of wearing any clothes at all in this hot weather. However, since they have not yet reached that stage they invariably wear some clothes (using the term "clothes" in the loosest possible sense) and consider it no great hardship.

I absolutely agree with this. I rarely wear short sleeves but when I do I don't notice that I am any cooler at all.

Re: ah, I found it

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! Well, I'll admit that HE was leaning toward the long sleeve shirt and tie. *I* was the one wanting him to wear short sleeves. I get really, really tired of hearing him complain about how hot he is. And I don't know what that person is talking about...Brad has ALWAYS complained about dress uniforms being too hot and uncomfortable. Even in the winter!! Maybe he just likes to complain.

PRESERVE civilization? He has to get some first...

Re: ah, I found it

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

That was really mean. I shouldn't have said that. He is quite civilized when he chooses to be.

So can I wear my brown dress or not? It is empire waist (but nicely fitted/clingy), jersey knit, v-neck wrap style top. I don't know what to call the sleeves...there are not really any sleeves. Sort of cap sleaves? Not exactly sleeveless, but not much in the sleeve department. I just like how I FEEL in that dress and I don't get to wear it very often.

Re: ah, I found it

[mercyorbemoaned.livejournal.com]

Dude, if it's "smart casual" there will be women in khaki shorts, that dress will be more than fine.

Re: ah, I found it

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know. But I don't want to be one of the women in khaki shorts. I'm trying to be CIVILIZED! Heh.

(As I said below, I have no fashion sense. I wear what I like and what I feel good in, and the fine distinctions in dress codes have always eluded me)

Re: ah, I found it

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

On the one hand, I agree with you, since I have long, thick, dark hair and people always say "You must be so hot with all that hair all over you!", but I've never known it any other way.

On the other hand, my son who has sensory integration disorder and refused to wear anything but long pants and long sleeves for years down here in Southernmost Florida, sweat all the time. Badly. And was generally red faced and miserable in a way that his siblings were not, and he ceased to be once we did therapies with him that helped him feel more secure with short sleeves and pants. It's hard for me to imagine that his mind, which wanted that full coverage of skin so badly to guard against textures, would also manifest it's own discomfort in the temperatures.

But, I'm not trying to start a war in Dama's journal. I've actually read that quote somewhere before.

Re: ah, I found it

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I don't really understand that comment at all. I feel cooler a LOT cooler in shorter sleeaves when the weather is warm. But I never claimed to be all that civilized. I have no fashion sense whatsoever.


I remember all those pictures of Aaron in his long sleaved striped shirt....he is such an interesting little man.

[mimima.livejournal.com]

I would think so.