The London Lounge

I live 20 mi north of NYC.
Town to me is anyplace I wouldn't feel self conscious wearing a suit and hat.
Country is anywhere I'd feel okay about going unshaven for 2 days.
In between, where I live, is suburbia.

I own no firearms, so that's not a good yardstick for me.

At a typical event these days you could probably get away with white tie even if the invite says black. If "creative formal," of course, anything goes, from full whack to white d/j and Bermudas.

At an extra stuffy event - say at a proper club or around older folks - you might be seen as a show-off.