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There are several reasons why my husband and I adore the BBC version of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. One, it's a superb adaptation - the closest one to the book both in terms of the story and in terms of casting. Two, it shows us a glimpse of an era when people had so much stuff to do around their houses (think about it - no electricity, no running water, no supermarkets, no Internet, no catalogs to order stuff from), that they actually took pleasure in their time off, when they had a chance to clean up, dress up and attend a country dance or a ball. Even families of limited means made sure that their sons and daughters knew how to dance and dress for such occasions. And while other aspects of everyday life in the early 19th century made it far from idyllic, I do find it sad that the great tradition of dressing up and getting together for dancing and conversation had all but vanished.

I received yet another proof of this sad reality as recently as last Sunday. My husband's organization held a 2007 award gala/2008 kick off at the Diana Wortham Theater in Asheville, North Carolina. The first version of the announcement for this event said "black tie". Then some people complained they did not own a tuxedo and did not have the time and/or the means to buy or rent one, and the announcement was downgraded to "black tie optional". When the event actually took place, more than half of all attendees took upon themselves the liberty to downgrade the dress code as far as "business casual" or just "casual".

People, people, people... "Black tie optional" merely releases you from wearing a tuxedo (or a formal ball/evening gown for women) - it is not a permission for you to wear jeans and polo shirts (for men) or sweaters and denim skirts (for women).

I know there are people out there who will roll their eyes and tell me they hate dressing up, because formal clothes are so uncomfortable and they just can't be bothered. Hogwash, folks! Not buying it! Would you show up looking like a slob at a job interview? I hope not. Then you must have one decent suit, decent shirt and decent tie stashed away somewhere. If you do not - go and get them, as well as a set of good dress socks and comfortable dress shoes (they do exist). It is an investment that will pay off in no time and will carry you through weddings, funerals, interviews, and formal functions.

The same applies to women - if you ever had to interview for a job, there has to be something

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