What to wear question.....

[MissManda]

So, we are going to a high school JV and varsity football awards banquet. This will be our first time attending a function like this. The invitation states semi-formal attire. The menu is pork BBQ, baked beans, potato salad.

So, I'm trying to figure out what to wear. Would it be okay for the guys to wear polo shirts and kahkis. Or should they wear a shirt and tie or even a suit? Don't want to be over/under dressed.

 

[sunshine1178]

So, we are going to a high school JV and varsity football awards banquet. This will be our first time attending a function like this. The invitation states semi-formal attire. The menu is pork BBQ, baked beans, potato salad.

So, I'm trying to figure out what to wear. Would it be okay for the guys to wear polo shirts and kahkis. Or should they wear a shirt and tie or even a suit? Don't want to be over/under dressed.

That's an interesting juxtaposition. I'd call someone who attended last year for their opinion/experience. Otherwise, check the yearbook for pictures or call the coach. They can't really expect teenagers to eat beans in sports coats?!

 

[powellrj]

I am thinking they are asking you to go nicer than jeans and tshirts. I think what you are thinking is what others would be thinking too, unless people normally dress up in your area. It would be fine where we live.

 

[okeydokey]

If I received an invitation that said semi formal, I would go with a button up shirt and a tie. Probable not a jacket.

Business casual would be khakis and a polo.

 

[dimimi]

I would ask someone who went last year. Every sporting banquet we have gone to, the athletes wore ties. No one wore jeans. Once we went when the invitation said "no jeans" but casual....everyone had a tie....so even though my son had nice pants and a collar shirt on, he felt out of place.

 

[bedogged]

So, we are going to a high school JV and varsity football awards banquet. This will be our first time attending a function like this. The invitation states semi-formal attire. The menu is pork BBQ, baked beans, potato salad.

So, I'm trying to figure out what to wear. Would it be okay for the guys to wear polo shirts and kahkis. Or should they wear a shirt and tie or even a suit? Don't want to be over/under dressed.

Normally I would say tie and sport coat or suit, but the menu is really throwing me off. They are serving a very casual menu for a semi-formal affair. It almost sounds like you are invited to a picnic?

 

[Katy Belle]

Ask someone who has gone before! Our first year in this town we overdressed for everything...then we got to the band banquet, and my DS was one of a very few without a tie! The girls really dress up for it! The best way to know, is to just ask someone.

 

[minkydog]

Semi-formal attire to a BBQ? Is this "Gone With The Wind"?

I can't imagine trying to eat BBQ in a cocktail dress or suit. My DHs sister served a spaghetti buffet at her wedding. What a mess! Every single person had at least one bit of tomato sauce on them, and the kids were absolutely covered.

 

[MissManda]

Thanks for the input everyone.

According to him, all of his friends say that they are all wearing polo shirts. I personally don't find that to be "semi formal". I think suit/tie or at a minimum shirt/tie.

Its sort of a weird set up though..semi formal attire, picnic style (and might I add messy) menu, and its being held at a local night club (given its on a Tuesday night which is an off night for the night club). So, I'm not sure what to think.

I definitely can see the varsity kids wearing their very best that night, just based on how they look and carry themselves during the season and its their night to shine. The JV kids (which he is) are a bit more "rag tag" and so I think it might be a mixed bag for them.

He still has to RSVP and so I asked him to clarify what they mean. I guess we'll find out. (I plan on looking good no matter what!!).

 

[Poohforyou]

Around here semi formal for boys would be long pants and a collared shirt. The boys I know from elementary to high school live in basketball shorts and t-shirts. They might add a hoodie if well below freezing.

 

[scrapquitler]

So, we are going to a high school JV and varsity football awards banquet. This will be our first time attending a function like this. The invitation states semi-formal attire. The menu is pork BBQ, baked beans, potato salad.

So, I'm trying to figure out what to wear. Would it be okay for the guys to wear polo shirts and kahkis. Or should they wear a shirt and tie or even a suit? Don't want to be over/under dressed.

I would say that the kids on the team should be wearing pants (Not jeans), a collared shirt and a tie. No jacket needed. For the parents, more or less the same for Dad (a polo shirt would probably be fine) and for Mom black pants and nice sweater/blouse or simple skirt/top plenty adequate. Just no jeans and t-shirts.

 

[Anastasi]

I would ask someone who went last year. Every sporting banquet we have gone to, the athletes wore ties. No one wore jeans. Once we went when the invitation said "no jeans" but casual....everyone had a tie....so even though my son had nice pants and a collar shirt on, he felt out of place.

This. Even though our banquet is in our school cafeteria with spaghetti, our football players always wear shirts, ties and dress pants. Parents are in dresses or nice pants, fancier shirt, basically what you would wear to a nice dinner party.

One football player wore shorts and a t-shirt. When they were introducing the players, when introducing 'shorts,' the coach actually made a comment that 'Shorts' obviously didn't get the e-mail.

Your player should also know the dress code.

 

[aprilgail2]

So, we are going to a high school JV and varsity football awards banquet. This will be our first time attending a function like this. The invitation states semi-formal attire. The menu is pork BBQ, baked beans, potato salad.

.

ROFL- I don't think I have ever seen "banquet" and " pork BBQ, baked beans, potato salad" used for the same affair! Seriously, that is like a jeans and tshirt menu for a what should be a semi formal type affair!

 

[lizabu]

Semi formal usually means a dress shirt and dress pants for men and a cocktail dress for women.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

So, we are going to a high school JV and varsity football awards banquet. This will be our first time attending a function like this. The invitation states semi-formal attire. The menu is pork BBQ, baked beans, potato salad. So, I'm trying to figure out what to wear. Would it be okay for the guys to wear polo shirts and kahkis. Or should they wear a shirt and tie or even a suit? Don't want to be over/under dressed.

My son is a freshman and they had their own banquet. Theirs was casual. The boys wore shorts, buffet dinner.

That being said, the JV / Varsity banquet is a whole other ballgame. Theirs is at a grand ballroom at a local hotel.
It is definetly understood the boys are to wear suits and ties.

I would clarify with someone who went last year. I would ask another parent and not leave it up to my son.