Dear Editor,

I recently received an invitation to be among the many who would be at the National Indoor Sports Centre to salute the member of our 2016 Olympic team on Saturday, October 15.

I was somewhat excited thinking that, finally, I get to meet some of these valiant young men and women in the flesh.

But, as I read down the invitation, I became somewhat bemused at the place where it mentioned “dress code”. It said “red carpet”.

Well, my first thought was: “I have no red carper to wear.” You see, the only carpets in my house are all gold and brown. So I declined the invitation. I didn’t think anybody would miss me anyway.

But seriously, though, haven’t we gone a little overboard with this? When did “red carpet” become a dress code?

If I remember correctly, “red carpet” came into the lexicon (fashion-wise) as a prop for movie stars usually going to a high-profile premiere. But when did we start wearing it?

If you want me to come to your event appropriately dressed, then tell me how to dress — casual, business/lounge suit, or black tie. I am sure the purists and the nouveau riche have a few others.

Stephen Harrison

St Mary

stepharrison28@gmail.com