Dress Code question.

[Old Greenhorn]

Well we have discussed a number of bizarre things here on the forum that have widened my horizons, including multi page threads on socks, gloves, and all sorts of particular tools, so I thought the forum would be a good place to pose a question that is perplexing me this evening.
Tonight during dinner the (house) phone rang, which was strange because the house phone hasn't worked in 5 days and I hadn't even called to complain yet, enjoying the peace from telemarketers. Anyway, it was Bill, my part time boss. He called to invite my wife and I to the 'company holiday party'. This somewhat surprised me because A) I didn't know he had a 'company holiday party', 2) I am not a full time employee, I just contract to run his mill from time to time, and C) I didn't think I belonged there. But he was adamant that I did indeed belong as part of his team.  So when I got over the fact that I was part of 'a team', I accepted and he rattled off the details, time and place. I had to ask again about the place. He had picked the high end restaurant in town which I thought was odd. He knows the owners and does work for them (but he knows everybody and does work for them), but I figured he would pick the barbeque place where we have work lunches sometimes and he does a lot of work for them and buys meat from them. Anyway, as he picked the upscale place I jokingly remarked that I would have to find some clean fancy clothes' and wasn't sure what I should wear. He just said "Oh, the dress code is Canadian Formal" as he laughed and hung up. So I am standing there looking at the phone (still surprised that it worked) and wondering what 'Canadian formal' is.
So I came back to the dinner table and informed my wife about the conversation and a debate ensued about what the proper dress code was. At first I thought I knew, but now I'm not so sure.
I KNEW my friends here would have the answer, you always do, so I ask. What should I be wearing to this party?

[WV Sawmiller]

Tom,

   I have no idea. I am betting is very, very informal with something like "Socks, if worn, should be of a somewhat similar color".

    To mess will Bill you could wear a tux and have your wife wear a very fancy evening gown.

[Walnut Beast]

You definitely have me laughing about your story Greenhorn 😂. After you get the dress code figured out here your going to need to take your phone to figure out the fancy names of the menus items 😂

[chet]

 The first thing that popped up on a Google search was a guy wearing a plaid skirt thingy, and kneehigh socks     :D :D :D

[Old Greenhorn]

Well, I am hoping some of our members from the great north will chime in with more definitive answers. Maybe @stephen1 or @ehp or @sawguy21 or perhaps @Swampdonkey . I need some help. Skirts and kilts are definitely out, mine are all at the cleaners and they are for a different kind of party anyway. :D

[Andries]

I have been to formal dinner gatherings in Kenora, Ontario.
A Kenora dinner jacket is red and black plaid wool jacket.
Wool pants and suspenders, no kilts or man-skirts involved here. More like a cleaned up lumberjack going into town with the Missus.
Five day stubble is good, hob-nailed boots not so much.

[rusticretreater]

The Canadian Tuxedo

https://elvdenim.com/blogs/stories/canadian-tuxedo#:~:text=by%20Charlie%20Newman,to%20his%20double%20denim%20attire.

[SwampDonkey]

Plaid shirt, blue jeans and leather casual shoes. Best answer I have right now. ;D

[Stephen1]

I would have to agree to all of the above. Except the skirt  thingy as that's Scottish.
I would where my new plaid shirt, a new pair of jeans, and if it's below freezing I put on my goose down puffy jacket. It's winter so you are  allowed to wear winter boots. Sometimes I even wear my insulated rubber boots.....but my kids give me a warning beforehand not to wear them to a restaurant

[firefighter ontheside]

I love the Canadian tuxedo.  I haven't owned a denim jacket since the 80s though.  Maybe I need a new one.  Maybe this will guide you.


 

[Old Greenhorn]

Well, I have to be honest, I did not know this was 'a thing'. I had thought it was a humorous yet friendly dig at our fine neighbors to the North in that proud frozen land. I did not check google because if I want real answers I come to the FF, not google, which often sends me back here anyway. :D
So I have been truly enlightened indeed. I was unaware there was such a thing as a Canadian Tuxedo (really) which was designed by Levi Strauss in 1951 for Bing Crosby after he was denied entrance to an upscale Canadian Hotel for being poorly dressed. This tux is still a thing.
Thanks you all for removing the veil of mystery from my eyes and yet again expanding my social horizons. Now I have to go through the closet.

[B.C.C. Lapp]

Old Greenhorn I know what your talking about. I don't bother with "dress" clothes much either.   
So if you don't have a Canadian tux, just wear your cleanest unstained work clothes you have.   I always figure people can take me as I am or leave me be.  And I'm lucky that Mrs. Lapp feels pretty much the same way.    But, having said that there are certain situations where that approach simple wont due. Even I can understand that.   When those very rare times come around I just don't go.  Those things normally happen at places I really don't want to visit any way.
If you do go have a good time.   

[Old Greenhorn]

Well I do have some dress clothes left from my pre-retirement days, but I avoid wearing them. The most formal I have dressed in recent years is for a singular annual event where I have to look presentable to the general public who doesn't know me. Even at that, it includes newish jeans.



 

I have a matching jacket for the vest, but it was warm that afternoon and I was working.
(I am the guy on the left, you can guess who my friend on the right is (Hint, he has at least 3 Grammy's))

Anyway, at least I have a good idea what will pass as acceptable for this event. We don't get out much. ;D :D

[Resonator]

I only had 2 Grammy's... and 2 Gramper's too. ;D

[gspren]

  For me dressed up means a shirt with buttons. Once upon a time I would have added jeans without holes in the knees but now that seems to be allowed or even desired.

[Tom King]

I vote the Johnny Cash version-scroll down the page:

https://hespokestyle.com/canadian-tuxedo-trend/

[sawguy21]

I am enjoying this! :D If it involves more than a clean pair of dress slacks and a golf shirt I don't go. My button down long sleeve shirts (few) don't fit anymore as they have all shrunk.

[GAB]

I am enjoying this! :D If it involves more than a clean pair of dress slacks and a golf shirt I don't go. My button down long sleeve shirts (few) don't fit anymore as they have all shrunk.

If it's like me the problem is the refrigerator and not the dryer.
GAB

[GAB]

Tom:
Thanks for all the chuckles and the education on this post.
Me thinks that if you wear the same as you did at Jake's get together you should be ok.
GAB

[Andries]

GAB: nail on the head! It could be called Project Formal, but just with a little more plaid.
I'm not thinking that Bing Crosby in a denim suit jacket is ever going to be thought of as "Canadian Formal".
That's just hanging the wrong label on a thing.
That's 'protest fashion', just because he was miffed that a hotel in Vancouver dared hold him to a dress code. Pfffft!
Sure, we recognize celebrities and make exceptions, but they need to be at the level of Shaina Twain or Celine Dione.
Here's the Kenora version of a Dinner Jacket.

[Andries]

Canadian Informal.

[Andries]

Canadian Formal.

[doc henderson]

maybe get an old-fashioned chimney sweep outfit.  then the prank is on him.  I say get cleaned up and go.  I stopped wearing shirt and tie to even funerals or weddings, as most guest are in blue jeans or overalls.   I have been to funerals of patients and all the poll bearers were in nice overalls and a long sleeve shirt.

[Stephen1]

I was just cleaning out my closet and drawers, I found my suit that I last wore at my daughters wedding .10 years ago? I had to throw the pants out as they had what looked like the moth holes. Well I kept the jacket as I figure they can bury me in it! 8)

[hedgerow]

I don't get dressed up to much. My mom always told me to visit the sick and bury the dead and dress up when you do it. I still wear a suit to wedding and funerals. Before my wife retired I would wear a pair of dress pants, shirt and tie to her company's Christmas party. I even leave my overalls at home to run to town to get supplies. Doesn't hurt to put on some nice jeans and a shirt for the season to run to town.