Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with formal

Black tie in Los Angeles?

YoungAmerican — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:21:18 -0800

What's the best black-tie New Year's Eve (or other event) in LA? A friend and I work on a men's style video series, and we're planning an episode on black tie. With New Year's coming up, we though it would make a great opportunity to shoot a field piece - but then we remembered that we live in LA and couldn't think of a single black-tie event besides the Oscars.

Can anyone suggest an elegant black tie New Year's or other event happening in the first 2-3 months of 2010? One that might potentially be open to press with cameras?

(Yes, we thought of the Oscars, and the opera and symphony openings have passed.)

∃x∀y∃z[Qx∧(My→Pyx)∧Wz ∧Pzx] ∨ ∃x[Qx∧∀y(My→Pyx)∧∃z(Wz∧Pzx)]?

ed\26h — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:28:57 -0800

∃x∀y∃z[Qx∧(My→Pyx)∧Wz ∧Pzx] ∨ ∃x[Qx∧∀y(My→Pyx)∧∃z(Wz∧Pzx)] ? 1. ∃x∀y∃z[Qx∧(My→Pyx)∧Wz ∧Pzx]
2. ∃x[Qx∧∀y(My→Pyx)∧∃z(Wz∧Pzx)]

I’m fairly new to predicate logic. When writing it, I’m naturally drawn to getting all the quantifiers out of the way at the start of the relevant scope (as in 1), as opposed to embedding them within that scope (as in 2). As far as I can tell, 1 and 2 are logically equivalent, and so choosing between them is simply a matter of notational convention, readability, etc. I have some questions:

A: Am I right? Are 1 and 2 logically equivalent? If not, why not?
B: Is there any circumstance where doing things my way would cause a problem?
C: Any further advice/comments?

Thanks in advance!

PS: If needed, here is some further info:

Let’s say our universe/domain is: people and their qualities.
Qx: x is a quality.
Mx: x is a man.
Wx: x is a woman.
Pxy: x has quality y.

Assume I’m trying to say “There exists a person/quality that is a quality and found in every man and found in at least one woman.”

Looking for reasons to suit up in San Francisco

razorfrog — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:59:00 -0800

Suit up! 20 year old guy looking for inexpensive formal locations/events in the San Francisco Bay Area. I recently acquired a three-piece suit for various reasons (weddings, interviews, looking awesome, etc), and I'm looking for excuses to wear it in the SF Bay Area and have a good time. Any ideas for special events, locations, reasons in general to suit up?

I'm single, but could likely find an equally-formally-attired lady to drag along with me if need be. Ideas at the moment consist of ever-pricey musicals, the symphony, or the ballet. Of course formal events tend to be expensive, but ideally something that didn't cost an arm and a leg to get into would be great. Oh, and did I mention I'm not 21 for a few months? That complicates things usually.

Thanks!

Men's suit in Chicago

echo target — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:33:30 -0800

Looking for a men's suit in Chicago. I have an idea what I want, but I don't know where to look. Any pointers are appreciated. I haven't found quite what I'm hoping for at my local Men's Wearhouse, so I'm going to Chicago this weekend to look. I'd like to get a dark gray or charcoal two-button with flat-front pants. Peaked lapels would be kind of cool, but I won't insist on them. I'm afraid that pinstripes look a bit pretentious on a guy my age (late 20s), so I'd prefer a solid color. I'm tall & skinny and need a 36L, heavy on the L.

I'm hoping to spend $300-400 for an off-the-rack suit. If it's going to cost much more than that, I figure I could get a made-to-measure from Thick As Thieves (recommended elsewhere in MeFi) for the same money.

Have any favorite suit stores? Or anything else you think I should know?

you, you, you?

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:48:40 -0800

In a languages that uses both the formal and informal "you," is there any situation in which people using the informal "you" with each other would ever go back to regularly using the formal "you" with each other? Using French as the example: For instance, if two people got divorced and were on chilly terms with each other, would they stop being "tu" and go to "vous". Or, if between two people working together, one got promoted to a position of authority?

Please help me find a black floor length formal/evening skirt.

scazza — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:39:22 -0800

Please help me find a black floor length formal/evening skirt. I am in a performance where I am required to wear black, and I need a black floor length skirt, preferably a full skirt, size 6 or 8. It needs to be long, even extra long since I'm tall. I haven't been able to find anything that would fit me and looks appropriate for a formal, concert occasion. Really the only things that have at least the same idea are on goth sites or are for ballroom dancing.

I'm in NYC and am female.

Anyone have any ideas for formal wear sites that would have something like this (I've looked at Saks, Barrie Pace, Nordstroms, Macy's)?
Are there any performance related sites that sell clothing like this?

Please help me find what I'm looking for. Thank you!

Suits don't suit her

ubiquity — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:48:57 -0800

A friend needs to buy a suit for an interview, and she is having a terrible time finding something suitable. Where, in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, can she get an inexpensive yet fashionable, formal work wear ladies suit in black (size 16 or 18)? She has considered going down to the Men's Wearhouse and asking them to tailor a man's suit for here, but I have a feeling that wouldn't work unless she were fairly flat-chested, which she's not. But if anyone has any actual experience doing something like that, please report.

Help with black tie event accessories for the style impaired

pitseleh — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:45:13 -0800

I have to attend a black tie gala on Saturday. Help with accessories, please! I have a form-fitting, knee length, black cocktail dress to wear, but from what I've heard about last year's event, I'm concerned the dress may not be formal enough. It's sleeveless, with one-inch straps on the shoulders and a somewhat low neckline. It has ruching on the front and back, but otherwise is very simple. You can see a picture of it here.

I have two questions: (1) What kind of shoes and jewelry should I wear to dress it up, while keeping it fun? (2) What can I do to keep warm, since it's supposed to be far below freezing that night? If it helps, I'm 29 and the event is a law firm party.

When is formal offensive?

kaseijin — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:05:26 -0800

In a discussion with a co-worker today, it was mentioned that I seemed too "formal," and that another, unnamed co-worker, had brought it up and said that they found this formality offensive. The co-worker to whom I was speaking seemed a bit embarrassed to have let this slip, and would not elaborate further.

I'm at a loss... I may not exactly be the life of the party, since I tend to clam up a good bit around folks I don't know really well...but I still do my best to be warm and friendly to all. I don't dress formally....I mean, take today for instance: sneakers, a t-shirt layered over a thermal, and an old pair of jeans with a hole in the knee (we have a relaxed office). After work, I even stick around sometimes for a beer or two.

What could they mean by formal, and how on earth could I be causing offense? I have to admit, this makes me a bit uncomfortable.

Formal Christmas Attire

sir_rubixalot — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:57:24 -0800

So I am looking for ideas as to what to wear to this year's company Christmas party. The theme is Naughty is Nice. I am not looking for anything too naughty, but more along the lines of something formal but outlandish. Any place that I could rent something for one night in the San Francisco area would be perfect. I have a couple of ideas, suit with a tophat/cane, maybe a leisure suit, anything that would turn heads. Oh yes, I am a guy and I am not too into the assless leather chaps/gag ball/leather thong.

Are tails too much for an evening bat mitzvah party?

djb — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:22:01 -0800

Tails or too long for a tux? I'm attending a bat mitzvah party at 7:30 tonight (past sunset). Dress code is Black Tie. I rented a tux without knowing that the coat had tails. I have the option to swap it for a non-tails coat, but one that will be a 36L (vs 36R on the one I have, which fits well) with the sleeves taken in. Advice?

Where can I get an amazing retro dress?

k8t — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 05:56:22 -0800

My university is having a prom / formal dance for grad students. (woot) Where can I (and my friends) get AWESOME retro ironic dresses? We'll check out the local thrift shops, but any websites that you know of that sell vintage '80s dresses for cheap? Link to event.

Do I have a suit? Up next, can I tie my tie?

GleepGlop — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 13:39:52 -0800

My 'suit' consists of a jacket and pants that are different colours although they are complimentary. Is this not really a suit, but rather just a jacket and slacks? Is there any situation such as an office setting where this wouldn't fly? What happened was originally I had a suit where everything was the same colour but then I grew out of the pants so I got new ones but they are greenish brown where the jacket is brownish grey.

Marines are notoriously strict about dress codes.

ChasFile — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:28:25 -0800

Where can I rent a tuxedo for Friday night (just over 48 hours from now) in New York City?

What do I wear to my evening wedding?

xenoworx — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 11:42:48 -0800

I'm a Brit getting married in San Francisco in September (outdoors). My fiancee will have her wedding dress, of course, but what should I wear? I'm not a fan of the traditional American Tuxedo-look - I'm not going to a ball. Where I come from, it's the traditional morning suit/top hat, but the event will be after 5pm so technically that's out and we're back to black tie. A lounge suit is out - It's not a business meeting
A white suit is definitely out - I'm not a pimp
A friend suggested white tie, but I'd look like an orchestra conductor (or about to be knighted by Her Majesty, some chance).
A nice dinner jacket/single stripe trouser with a straight tie in a pale blue or grey silk (and matching waistcoat) is the best I've found so far, but I'm still not totally happy with it.

Argh, I'm getting frustrated at my sartorial helplessness!

Software for writing poetry?

pracowity — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 08:43:05 -0800

Has anyone seen software for writing formal poetry? You would specify a poetic form and it would fill in the blanks and make suggestions as much as possible. For example, you select villanelle and it gives you a layout like this (snatched from wikipedia because I'm lazy):

Refrain 1 (a)
Verse 1 (b)
Refrain 2 (a)

Verse 2 (a)
Verse 3 (b)
Refrain 1 (a)

Verse 4 (a)
Verse 5 (b)
Refrain 2 (a)

Verse 6 (a)
Verse 7 (b)
Refrain 1 (a)

Verse 8 (a)
Verse 9 (b)
Refrain 2 (a)

Verse 10 (a)
Verse 11 (b)
Refrain 1 (a)
Refrain 2 (a)

And because some lines are, according to the form, necessarily duplicates of others, you would be able to edit line 1, for example, but not lines 6, 12, or 18, which would be identical to line 1 in a villanelle (and automatically filled in by the software).

For rhymes, it could use color and the like to remind you of which lines your current line must be made to rhyme, and it could use a rhyming dictionary to make suggestions based on what you've written so far.

Our limos have no destination!

roomwithaview — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 14:10:28 -0800

As the chair of my fraternity's Fall-Formal Committee, I hold the distinct pleasure of locating a venue for this semester's night of dressy revelry. I'd love to find a nice lodge or similar, more intimate digs where we can hire our own bartender, do our own DJing, etc. Does such a place exist in or around Baltimore? The reason I specify a lodge is because we've been less than pleased with the locations we chose in the past, namely hotel ballrooms and the like.

The ideal location would have to hold about 30-40 brothers and their dates. It really can't be too far outside the confines of Baltimore City, or transportation would get costly. We'd prefer someplace classier, though our budget isn't exactly limitless.

I'd welcome any suggestions of possible venues, or just general advice with regards to this sort of thing. Thanks!

My, my, my music hits me...so hard!

kaseijin — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 20:13:49 -0800

How, in the name of all that is good and holy, exactly do I wear a hakama? The first time I laid eyes on this Japanese formal garment in the flesh, my mind boggled -- here, splayed out in front of me, was a bewildering abundance of spare cloth, pleats, and curiously long straps.

I can step into the thing okay....and I can discern which side is "front" and which "back"...

But how do I make it look right? How do I tie all the straps? Do I tie them above or below my (men's) obi? What sort of knots do I use?

When I try to wear this thing, I feel as though even the most polite Japanese would have the damnedest time keeping a straight face in my presence.

I need to figure this thing out, and I don't want to resort to ordering some book online, sight unseen, and waiting for it to ship.

Please help me not look like (more of) a fool! Mefites, I beseech thee!

Oh, what to wear!

ciaron — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 14:27:55 -0800

Invitation to a ball. Which dress option would you choose? The invitation specifies "Formal Attire / National Dress / Suit". I'm unclear about "Formal Attire" first of all - does that mean tuxedo / dinner jacket? It's at this place, which looks swanky but I don't know it. I'm Irish, so a convincing national dress seems out of the question. If I go for a suit, is a light colour inappropriate for an evening ball?

Can any of our more sartorially aware colleagues help me?
[I'm male, if I didn't make that clear]

Deception

sonofsamiam — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 13:00:26 -0800

Does anyone have any pointers on formally modelling deception/self-deception? I would be interested in any work from the perspectives of game theory, formal logics, evolutionary theory/costly signalling, or anything along those lines. Any tangentially related links would be appreciated.

I Am The Very Model of a Modern Major General

awesomebrad — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 23:42:38 -0800

What is the correct form of address for a retired vice admiral in the United Stated Navy? I need to send a letter (well, and e-mail, but I'm writing it as if a letter) to a retired vice admiral. I'm not sure how to open it, and am consequently procrastinating. My initial thought would be "Dear Vice Admiral," but I honestly have no idea. It's possible that there is no special form of address since he's retired. Thanks in advance everyone.

Need a tux in London

tiamat — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 16:13:27 -0800

I need to find a place to rent a tuxedo this week in London. Sub-questions follow... I've up in the N3 area near Finchley Central (Northern Line), but travel down to Charing Cross M-F so that area is good too. Recommendations further away are welcome, but I'd prefer something close, obviously.

I need it for next Saturday night, when I'll be going up to Cambridge for a Canadian Club dinner. (I'm Canadian, see?)

Sub-Questions
1) Should I expect to be able to pick it up Saturday and return it Sunday, or Saturday-Monday or Friday-Monday?

2) How much should I expect to pay, on average? I don't want them to 'see me coming'.

3) Can I realistically learn how to tie a bow tie in one go, or should I get a clip on?

4) I don't have proper shoes, can I rent those too?

5) What else does one who's never worn one of these things need to know?

6) Can I wear a tux on the train without ruining it/the look of it? Should I plan on having to carry it and change somewhere in Cambridge?

Kindly answer my question about the word "kindly"

Saucy Intruder — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 11:13:03 -0800

Do you use "please" or "kindly" to soften a formal imperative? And if you say "kindly," why?

Men's Formal Attire

snsranch — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 18:55:44 -0800

Formal Attire: Wedding. Groom and ringbearers (7 and 8 year old boys) wearing charcoal grey wool blend suits (three button). What shirts and ties are there for us? I'm thinking "Oscar Night" and early 60's James Bond eloquence and aplomb. But locally and googly only find "current fashion". Big colorful ties, etc.

1. Can you help me find photos of currently existing styles that fit our need?

2. Where can I get such things. I've been googling for weeks and I'm at a loss.

Well dressed Mefites, I need your help.

I would like to be more polite

ORthey — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 09:01:41 -0800

In (some) languages, why is the conditional so frequently related to politeness? In the languages I've studied to some degree (English, Spanish, French, Russian), the most common way to be polite is to use the conditional. "I would like," "quisiera," "j'aimerais," "Ya buy khotyel," etc. I'm wondering if anyone knows why this is? it's not, at least for me, intuitive. Are there other languages that do it drastically differently?