to object to this type of invitation?

It's changing times ja. There is no dignity anymore.

I think some people have a "surely this doesn't mean me" kind of attitude though JaneA. Where rules are meant for everyone else.

Kitty sadly, many people today seem to have no idea of how to behave, let alone dress.

Yesterday we went to DD’s graduation at one of our local universities.

Before the ceremony started, we were welcomed by one of the pro-Vice Chancellors who asked us to applaud only when asked to do so, after a batch of about 15 graduates had received their certificates.

He specifically asked that applause was limited to clapping and that we shouldn’t whistle, or call out.

Guess what?

After about 10 minutes, someone whistled and cheered. Sadly, this seemed to encourage others to follow suit and by the end you would have thought we were on a TV talent show, not at a University Academic Congregation.

I’m sorry to say that it did slightly spoil what should have been a dignified occasion.

Interestingly, most people were dressed up to the nines, not a ‘smart casual’ in sight!

No objections from me either. I have seen what some parents think is alright for concerts, sports days etc. Beach wear! We also had a dress code for staff. No flip-flops, boob tubes or tShirts with slogans. One must keep up some standards ??

It’s smart casual, which usually includes smart jeans etc. It’s obviously based on what the school knows of it’s parents. We attended our daughter’s award night last night and there was no dress code but everyone wore smart casual. Surely everyone has a smart casual outfit they can wear? It’s not black tie?

Perhaps the letter is not directed at people who may “underdress” but the opposite. Perhaps some parents have turned up dressed to the nines as if it was a Royal Garden Party and made other parents feel embarrassed and the school have been aware. I think a dress code is a great guide and the assumption that is is about people being overly casual is only part of the story. Congratulations to your DGS.

I’m in the “this is a good idea” camp. It doesn’t cost anything to be smart / casual, can just mean clean jeans and an open necked shirt, and it shows the children who will be smart that their efforts are appreciated. It gives the parents the message that dressing as if they are going to the beach or clubbing is not appropriate for such an occasion.

No problem with the dress code sentence at all. Seems quite reasonable. Smart/casual is neither prescriptive or expensive.

Even if you do not have smart clothes, to take the best clothes you have give them a good wash and iron, even a touch of starch and wear them with confidence they will look as if you made the effort.

I would take that as a positive. They probably want to avoid people turning up either over-dressed or under-dressed and feeling like they stand out like a sore thumb

Hetty58.
Re your first post on this subject, I’m really surprised to read your second post about the job interview.
I would have expected you to applaud the candidate for her choice of job interview attire. Just comes across as a bit hypocritical to me.

No objection from me. When teaching, all the staff changed for school concerts, parties and parent evenings. On a lighter note, as the pupils were arriving for just such an occasion, one of my pupils ran into the classroom, then stopped short, saying to me, " I like your . . . . . . face!" I was wearing make up, but he didn't realise that. He just knew that something was different. It was my smart casual face!

It was roasting on board though Septimia, not cold at all. I only ventured onto the deck briefly just as we passed under the Tyne bridges which was brilliant. Other than that I just tried to hide away in the corner, looking completely out of place.

I think that it's good to let guests know that they don't have to go to the expense of finding smart/formal outfits for the occasion. In the past speech day/ prize giving etc were very formal occasions - I take this invitation as reassurance that this is no longer the case. I am surprised how many other respondents on here assume that everyone apart from themselves needs to be told to smarten up - it seems to me that the patronising attitude and offensive assumptions are in their minds, not the schools

Sadly, the school hall only has room for each child and 2 parents - so guess who is babysitting his sister!!

His other granny suggested she might go in place of dd. That didn't go down too well!

I prefer a dress code as I hate to be over or underdressed.

I'm not sure it's any of the school's business what parents wear at school prize-givings. On the other hand I can understand why a school might make this dress code request. Smart casual is fairly broad (vague), which must allow for wide interpretations.

Gilly - I bet you were a darn sight warmer than they were! Any sensible onlookers (well, me, anyway) would have considered that you'd dressed appropriately.

In a way, it's making sure that the event is special and that the children's efforts get the respect they deserve.

When you get individual people turning up for weddings or funerals (not themed events, which are a different matter) in football shirts and jeans, some guidance is perhaps needed.

These days it is very difficult to know what to wear at various functions, so I would be pleased and not hurt by a dress code in an invitation.

Congratulations on the clever young man.

I rarely go out anywhere special and last month my cousin offered me and my sister 2 spare tickets she had to a charity night on behalf of the RNLI . It was a river trip. I knew my sister had been on a few so I asked her what sort of thing I should wear. BIG MISTAKE ! she told me …. "no-one dresses up. Its all jeans, jumpers etc. and a thick warm coat as its freezing"

So there's me in my jeans, boots, jumper (with tee shirt under), padded coat etc. and everyone else was dressed up to the nines including my bloody sister ! I met 2 girls I used to go to grammar school with who were always way out of my league anyway, but looking like the clip I did, I felt like a piece of shit on their high heeled sandals.

It wasn't funny really !

I see no problem with it at all. It gives a sense of occasion to the event which is so important for the students.

I’m always grateful for a nod towards what’s expected from us in the clothes department. Being a veteran of numerous ceremonies I’ve loved seeing proud grannies in their hats smiled at laid back dads in smart chinos and a crisp shirt. I now know exactly what to wear but that’s because I’ve been to more than one ceremony.

I agree with most other posts who support the dress code but for the opposite reason. I would guess that a lot of parents might expect to dress up for a prize giving (my father would have definitely worn a suit). This 'smart casual' suggestion is to allow parents to be a little less formal.

Oh dear things are getting a bit heated over this. I assume the school was merely making a suggestion and there will not be bouncers on the door to prevent those who are improperly dressed from entering.

I quite like dress codes - when I read them! I once went to a company do in a posh chiffon dress and should have read the dress code was office wear. I felt a proper 'nana.