A button-down shirt is a very informal shirt choice, and is inappropriate with a suit. If you’re going for the fine threads, wear a non-button-collar shirt with or without a tie. Doubt me? Check with a good men’s shop, or even the fashion pages of a reputable mag (no, Maxim doesn’t count).

Button-downs are fine with jeans, chinos, or other informal deployments, and can rock a tie just fine in the blazer-and-pants mode, but with a suit you need spread or full collar even without a tie.

All that said, if you’re going to go suit-and-no-tie, I can almost see getting away with a NICE button down (oxfordcloth won’t cut it; go pima or some other smooth cotton), but it’s an iffy thing I’d reserve for wardrobe-limited moments (e.g., travel). The idea that a button down under a suit NEEDS a tie is just wacky; frankly, it makes you look like you don’t know how to dress.

If one wanted to be a real jackass, Noel could wear open-toe sandals to the party, along with his suit and tie. They made a boo-boo by not specifying sock type and footwear.

Or take it to the logical extreme by inquiring with the social committee about recommended undergarment types/fabrics (i.e. boxers vs. briefs, tank-top vs. t-shirt, v-neck vs. crew neck, silk vs. cotton, etc).

What a laugh!

At least it’s better than the notice I got for a recent dinner. Our team was gathering at corporate HQ, and we were told “It’ll be at [a nice place] so prepare to dress up a bit.” Unfortunately, that email went out on Monday afternoon, while all the people coming in from out of town were already on airplanes.

The disparity is odd considering that in most cases, the Social Committee at most workplaces is mostly (if not entirely) women.

Makes me sad that they don’t trust their co-workers to dress appropriately.