Absolutely right. But as you note earlier many folks use the term incorrectly, so it is often exceedingly difficult to be confident about the host's intentions and expectations. Sometimes it is best to just call host to confirm.
I think this is very sound advice, L-field. You should be fine either way. If you go the navy blazer route, I'd opt for gray trousers over tan, and the darker the better in this case. It has been observed, correctly in my view, that charcoal gray trousers are aesthetically sub-optimal when paired with a navy blazer, but such a pairing is certainly sartorially appropriate and would be closest to a suit in terms of formality.
Nothing wrong with that. I have encountered assertions that bow ties are less formal than four-in-hands, but I think those assertions are mistaken and belied by black tie practices.
Honestly? You could do a BD, but I would feel like I was pushing it with a BD and a navy blazer. The bow tie might actually salvage that -- makes it clear that those are choices, not compromises.
Just kidding around, really. In the same spirit as above, I only have two non-button down shirts at the moment. One is a tuxedo shirt, the other is a point collar w/french cuffs that I wear when I meet pro bono clients. I wear OCBD's to work every day.
Well, in that case, maybe I will go with the french cuffs.
I agree with this. The "rule" is dark business suit. While pinstripe might not be optimal, it is certainly within the rule and acceptable. And while gray trousers and a navy blazer (with tie and non BD-collar dress shirt) might be technically outside the rule, it would not be considered egregiously so even by those of us who know and care about the rules.
