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"Smart Casual" 10-year High School Reunion: POAL

TheFoo

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My 10-year high school reunion is next month. The stipulated dress is "smart casual." I don't think I have any casual clothes that count as "smart". Also, from my understanding "smart casual" is more of a prescriptive uniform than a level of formality, as it really just means to wear an untucked shirt and a pair of jeans. Beyond my personal distaste for not tucking in shirts, I don't have any shirts that would look right untucked to begin with.

The short of it is that I'm going to wear a navy suit. My wife is going to wear a short dress, so at least we'll stick out together (most of the women will show up in jeans, I'm guessing). I don't want to wear an odd jacket because they seem much more day-oriented, and this event is going to be in the evening at a downtown bar/lounge.

Now for the tough questions: should I wear a white shirt or a blue shirt? What tie? I briefly considered not wearing one, but I refuse to dress Obama. Needless to say, I've already decided what I'm going to wear, but I thought I'd put it to the forum anyway.

Mostly, I'm curious about what you would do and what your take is on my approach. The thought of going out to buy clothes that are more appropriate for a "smart casual" event is ludicrous to me. Also, for the love of god, we're all on the cusp of 30. It shouldn't be so weird to wear a jacket and tie for a special occasion. However, I imagine some will consider it rude that I didn't strictly comply with the dress code, or will think I look ridiculous.

What will be the fallout? Not that it changes anything.
 

pebblegrain

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You really shouldn't wear a suit when 99% will be in jeans.

Can't you just wear a dark odd jacket?

You really don't have jeans? I thought you had some 5EP or something...
 

TheFoo

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My 45rpms are dead. Anyway, I normally would wear them with an OCBD, with a sweater on top if cold. That doesn't count as "smart casual". I don't do anything remotely streetwear.
 

aj_del

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So, the suit and tie are already decided, you just need us to decided between white and blue shirt ?

BTW, where is the poal ?
 

pebblegrain

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Smart casual in my experience is purely code-speak for "hey douchebag guys, just don't wear white NB sneakers, okay???"
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by aj_del
So, the suit and tie are already decided, you just need us to decided between white and blue shirt ?

BTW, where is the poal ?


I just put it up a moment ago.

Well, I already decided on the shirt. But, yes, I did ask.
 

gorgekko

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Man, my high school reunion was about 100 feet away from the bar I was drinking in that weekend. I couldn't even be bothered to go.

That said, wear whatever you want. Do you really care about these people?
 

Manton

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Didn't you have a thread about this recently in which you said you weren't going? My memory isn't what it used to be.
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by Manton
Didn't you have a thread about this recently in which you said you weren't going? My memory isn't what it used to be.

Maybe I did. I don't know. No sleep.
 

mdao63

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Interesting. In Asia smart casual is trousers + LS shirt. In Hawaii you can get by in short sleeve. You seem to have figured out who you are already (only 10 years out of HS). So be you. Be the suit. Blue shirt.
 

bellyhungry

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Unless you became very famous, married a super hot wife, or made enough money that you can retire tomorrow, don't go to HS reunion.
 

Ace_Face

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I've always erred on the side of overdressing, but a suit to a 10 year reunion seems like overkill and as inappropriate as pallbearers wearing sweatshirts and jeans (which I actually witnessed last week). You are all still in your twenties, wear a pair of dark jeans or casual trousers, dark sweater over a subtle checked shirt. Otherwise everyone will think you are there trying to show how successful you have become.
 

luftvier

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Oh, ye of Esquire fame actually cares what the laymen from High School think?
 

WhateverYouLike

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Originally Posted by bellyhungry
Unless you became very famous, married a super hot wife, or made enough money that you can retire tomorrow, don't go to HS reunion.

Runner up Esquire's BDRM, nugga. Fall back.
 

JohnnyLaw

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Originally Posted by mafoofan
My 45rpms are dead. Anyway, I normally would wear them with an OCBD, with a sweater on top if cold. That doesn't count as "smart casual". I don't do anything remotely streetwear.

That isn't smart casual? Sounds ideal for the occasion to me.

There's no shortage of great denim in NYC and indigo + cordovan longwings is an excellent look.
 

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