White tie for men
White tie is the most formal dress code: a black tailcoat with matching trousers, a white wing-collar shirt, a white piqué waistcoat and a white bow tie, with black patent shoes. A tuxedo isn’t enough.
Dress the Part doesn’t build white tie outfits yet. White tie is rarer and more formal than black tie, and most men rent the full outfit from a formalwear specialist.
What to wear
Full evening dress
- JacketBlack tailcoat, cut short at the front with tails at the back
- TrousersMatching high-waisted trousers with two silk side stripes, worn with suspenders
- ShirtWhite shirt with a stiff piqué front and a wing collar
- NeckwearWhite piqué bow tie
- ShoesBlack patent oxfords or opera pumps
- ExtrasWhite piqué waistcoat, shirt studs and cufflinks, white pocket square
Accessories
Shirt studs and cufflinks, a white pocket square and black silk socks. Traditional extras include white gloves, a white scarf and a pocket watch; a wristwatch is traditionally left off.
Day or evening
White tie is evening wear only. The daytime equivalent is morning dress, with a morning coat, which is rare outside royal and very formal daytime weddings.
By venue
White tie appears at state dinners, royal and diplomatic events, some opera and debutante balls, and the most formal galas. The venue is almost always indoors and grand.
Wedding, party or work
For a white tie wedding or gala, rent from a formalwear specialist unless you expect to attend several. Fit matters: the waistcoat shouldn’t show below the front of the coat.
Skip these
- A tuxedo or black bow tie (that’s black tie)
- A waistcoat that shows below the front of the tailcoat
- A belt (white tie trousers use suspenders)
- A wristwatch, traditionally
Common questions
Can I wear a tuxedo to a white tie event?
No. White tie means a tailcoat, white waistcoat and white bow tie. A tuxedo is black tie, a full step below.
Where can I rent white tie?
Formalwear specialists and some tuxedo rental shops carry tailcoats. Book early, since stock is limited and the fit matters.
What’s the difference between white tie and black tie?
Black tie is a tuxedo with a black bow tie. White tie is a tailcoat with a white piqué waistcoat, a white bow tie and a wing-collar shirt.
Is white tie the same as morning dress?
No. Morning dress is the formal daytime version, with a morning coat. White tie is for the evening.
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