We all have a general sense of what “formal” means — but I’ve noticed it’s far more dependent on culture and location than we might think. Living in the Middle East, the contrast with Western standards is quite clear. For example, in many Western countries, a tuxedo is strictly tied to black-tie events. In Egypt, though, we don’t really have that same structure. The tux is mostly reserved for the groom at weddings — and even then, it’s sometimes treated more flexibly depending on the setting (photos vs. the main event, etc.). Another interesting contrast is with Saudi Arabia. There, the traditional thobe is considered formal wear, while a full suit can come across as more foreign or low level employee. In Egypt, it’s almost the opposite — the suit aligns with what we see as formal, while the thobe feels more traditional and not always suitable in certain formal or professional environments. It’s fascinating how something considered proper in one place can feel out of place just a short distance away. Have you noticed similar differences in other cultures or countries?

Put this together for a quick bank run and heading straight back home — nothing special, just something easy that still feels put together. - Navy & Burgundy Striped Polo Shirt - Beige Chino Cargo - White Low-Top Sneakers

I brought a shirt to change into this morning, so - technically - this isn't last night's outfit. But it's close enough... For those of you lucky enough to not live in a State-controlled-alcohol State, the concept of spending the night in a parking lot just to be able to hold a spot in line to purchase alcohol may seem a bit foreign. However, that's exactly what I did last night. I'm currently sipping a glass of bubbly while waiting on my wife to finish putting on her makeup and meet me downtown for brunch...

@Antonio Centeno Happy Birthday!

The trousers are new - to me, anyway, they are from a charity shop - what do you think?