<p>Okay weird question… I just got invited/tapped into the secret society at my school. I was pretty shocked, and wasn’t expecting it as a freshmen, especially because I was oblivious to one even existing in my school.</p>
<p>My problem is the attire: semi-formal for a dinner. </p>
<p>I don’t think I have anything that would be considered semi-formal in my closet. I do not have a full suit yet, just a navy blazer.</p>
<p>As a freshmen, I did not think needing a full-suit would be needed so quickly in college.</p>
<p>Would I be grossly under dressed if I came to this meeting with a blazer, khakis, and a button-down with a tie?</p>
<p>Now wer know there’s a secret society at WFU… LOL</p>
<p>To respond to your question. Semi-formal is not a full suit… that’s full on formal So I think you would be good with your blazer and khakis… make sure your shoes match though :)</p>
<p>Actually, semi-formal does mean a business suit, while formal would be a tuxedo. However, in the college setting I think you’ll be fine with a blazer and tie.</p>
<p>Thinking that I might swap out the beige khakis for dark grey dress slacks with the blazer. Add a nice crisp white shirt and a tie … with the polished dress shoes.</p>
<p>“For men, semi-formal attire means wearing a full suit, with vest optional. A tie, either bow or straight, should be worn, and the shirt should be a simple button down. Suit fabric choices are primarily wool gabardine or cashmere. However, a wool blend will do. Linen or seersucker suits are not formal enough for semi-formal attire. Dress shoes like oxfords are worn. It is not necessary to wear a tuxedo, and one might be considered a bit overdressed for a semi-formal event showing up in a tux.”</p>
<p>Google answers</p>
<p>Someone in college probably should own a dress suit. There are many times it would be proper to wear one. A good dark suit can be found for around $400 on sale.</p>
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<li><p>barrons is right, but so is everyone else. I think in college “semi-formal” means a jacket and tie, button-down shirt, real shoes, and long pants that are not jeans or sweats. But your local standards should apply. Maybe in North Carolina people dress up more.</p></li>
<li><p>If you decide to buy a suit – which is not a bad idea, you WILL need one – you do not have to pay $400. You will get a better suit if you do, but discount places like Men’s Wearhouse can put you into something that looks OK (as long as you are young and fit) for about half that. And if you have the energy to look, thrift stores will work, too. Just plan on spending a few bucks for tailoring. And remember to buy appropriate shoes, too.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I’m in the middle. Invest in some dark gray slacks (don’t have to break the bank). Wear a solid color dress shirt (light blue or white) and a conservative tie. Wear those with your navy blazer and you’ll be fine. </p>
<p>P.S. Suggest that the next b’day gift be a suit. Shop online if you are REALLY confident of your sizing (manufacturers vary wildly on my size- 48L) . There are some great deals out there in cyberspace. I bought a Joseph Abboud suit recently for @ $200. I stole it. And it almost fits. lol. ;)</p>
<p>Thanks guys for your input. I did Google the answer, but I wasn’t sure if semi-formal can be dressed down a bit in a college environment, especially in situations like these. I’ll see if I can get some gray slacks ASAP, but I would just go with my khaki dress pants, if not. I’ll try to just wear very conservatively colored shirt/tie combination.</p>
<p>I really can’t invest in a suit yet, I am at Wake on a full-ride scholarship and come from a working-class background. Even a modestly priced suit would put a bit of financial strain on me at the moment.</p>
<p>Thanks again for all your input! It’ll be interesting how the dinner/meeting goes…</p>
<p>I tried to Google them, but very few things come up, unlike other societies like Z Society and Skulls and Bones…</p>
<p>Wow! I am so excited. CC weighs in on secret societies. A first I think.</p>
<p>We sent DS with suit and tux. Suit was worn for funeral (sad but GF’s grandma and not time to come home to get it so it was great that it was there and tux for musical performances. Also got worn.</p>
<p>The tux (Ralph Lauren I think) was only $60, and the suit was something similar at Sims. Size 32. </p>
<p>Have fun. Suggestions of simply investing in grey slacks a good one.</p>
So I think you would be good with your blazer and khakis… make sure your shoes match though :)</p>
Invest in some dark gray slacks (don’t have to break the bank). Wear a solid color dress shirt (light blue or white) and a conservative tie. Wear those with your navy blazer and you’ll be fine. </p>