There's no real definition of being fashionably late, save one example of a Spongebob Squarepants episode where he was to meet someone at 8:00 p.m, but he says he was always fashionable late, and arrived at 8:01 p.m. Go with your gut instinct. You have to really know the host to do it. I'd suggest a timeline from 5-10 minutes late, but no later.

How late fashionably late is depends on a number of variables, including - current fashions - your culture and what is acceptable in it - the culture of the country in which you live and what is acceptable in it (if different) - the culture of the person or people being met - the type of engagement - the location of meeting - the time of day - how generally fashionable you are - your excuse, if given. For example, if you are extremely fashionable (say, a fashion model), you are meeting someone in Milan for a drink and it is 1am, and the other person is Italian and the meeting is in a bar, you are expected to arrive at least 4 hours late. Extra fashion points if you claim you were late because you 'met someone cute'. However, if you are generally not a very fashionable person, it is the late 1980s, you are meeting for a job interview as an engineer and you are in, say, Denver, then it is probably fashionable to arrive an hour early. Also, it could be said that in the latter example you are probably so unfashionable that you don't really care about the dictations of fashion anyway.

According to my sources, fashionably late is arriving 10-15 minutes late. Of course, there are some things it isn't appropriate to be late for such as weddings, funerals, and other events that have a firm start time. The theater (not movie) comes to mind, ushers sometimes close the doors and bar late arrivals from entering until they can escort them to their seats.

Late enough to arrive when the party is in full swing, rather than at that period when people are staring awkwardly at their feet. Even better, right at the inflection point when the transition from the latter state to the former is taking place, early enough that you're noticed by everyone and can take credit for the "chemistry" of the party, dahling.

Frankly, I have never understood the concept of "fashionably late" and don't agree with it in practice. If everyone invited to a social gathering waited a "fasionable" period of time before arriving, the event would not begin until they arrived. The hosts could be sitting around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the "fashionable" to arrive. If an event begins at a specified time, I try to arrive close to that time, barring getting lost on the way and arriving late. "Fashionably late" may also be rude, if someone really does expect you at the arranged time.

7 minutes.

It depends on the event and local culture. Smart hosts of sit-down 'dinners' in the U.S. plan the dinner to start 30 minutes after the announced time. This allows for a period of greeting and relaxing while awaiting any late arrivals. Therefore, If invited to dinner, you should in no case be more than 30 minutes late because most dinners cannot be kept waiting--when the food is ready, dinner must start. On the other hand, if it's a 'party' where any food is going to be casually served (finger food, buffet, etc.) then how late you may be depends on just how "fashionable" you yourself happen to be, especially in relation to the person throwing the party. In other words, Nicole Kidman can come to _my_ party as late as she likes--I'm just thrilled that she comes at all. But if it's her party and in the highly unlikely event I get an invitation, she probably won't care what time I come or even if I come at all. And the challenge for me will be to avoid being one of those bores who comes early and leaves late... So, if the party is from 8:00 until 'whenever' and this is a big party with many people attending,then there would be nothing rude about coming at 9:00 or later. And, if you are a popular person who is invited to every party in town, then your attendance may be limited to 'making an appearance.' You may come late and leave early. There would be nothing rude in arriving at 10:00 an leaving at 11:00 even though the party is in full swing and will likely go until 1:00 or 2:00 AM. Perhaps more important then how late you come is making sure you don't come early or even right on time. Coming _before_ the appointed time is down-right rude and coming right on time is best avoided, too, if for no other reason than it makes you appear un-fashionable. (It's like saying 'this is my first party invitation in months so I didn't want to be late!) Here in Japan, however, guests will arrive anywhere from 10 minutes early to exactly on time (and almost never late) so if you attend an event in Japan, there is no 'fashion' in being late. You're just late and that's rude. :-)

30 minutes seems about right...

It depends on what you are being late for. It is never fashionable and always rude to be late for an appointment or a commitment where people are waiting for you. It shows a lack of respect for other people's time and effort.

My friend and I will meet for lunch every once in a while, and we usually meet at a restaurant of her choice. She is always late, which causes me to stand embarrassingly by myself until she decides to show up. She's usually 45 minutes late. I think it's rude and disrespectful. I even decided to show up 20 minutes late myself for a lunch meeting, but she was still late. I have stopped meeting her for lunch because of her being "fashionably late." It may be fashionable for her; but for me, I feel like I've been stood up. And the people around me look at me with pity on their faces. To be "fashionably late" is to be without social grace, and I'll pass on the lunch.

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I think there is no such thing. There are only selfish, charismatic, careless POPULAR people and patient, caring forgiving people. I think it's fashionable to be on time and call if you are to be late. Then I am not fashion guru;-)

It is never fashionable to be rude. Show up on time. Other peoples time is important too.

No more than 10 minutes.

Haha! Me and my friend were joking about this earlier. I always turn up about 3 or 4 minutes after we are supposed to meet, mind sound like nothing but after years of being friends it makes her laugh, its what I consider to be fashionably late. Anymore and it gets a bit rude...