Invitation to a Special Event?
White Tie, Black Tie
& Morning Wear
Scroll Down
We have a wide selection of vintage and new stock to hire or to buy.
As well as accessories to complete your outfit.
Our expert staff with over 30 years experience are on hand to make sure you get the perfect fit. Our stock is kept on site so you can try what you hire.
White Tie
Black Tie
Morning Wear
The White tie dress code is also known as ‘ full evening dress’, ‘evening dress’ or informally, as ‘tails’.
This is worn in the evening at balls and certain royal ceremonies. White tie may also be specified for formal evening weddings and for some charity balls. It is also the dress code for some Highland balls for those men not entitled to wear the kilt.
‘White tie’ will always be stated on the invitation itself.
White Tie Dress Code For Men;
-
Black single-breasted tailcoat in black wool (barathea) or wool mix with silk peaked lapels, often grosgrain (worn unbuttoned).
-
Black dinner trousers with a natural taper and a line of braid down the outside leg.
-
A white marcella shirt with a wing collar and ideally double cuffs.
-
Cufflinks and studs. The shirt will usually be closed with studs rather than buttons. These may be plain white or decorative. If you are wearing a double cuffed shirt you will need to wear cufflinks.
-
A white marcella evening waistcoat which fastens with studs.
-
White marcella bow tie, either ready tied or self tie.
.
-
Highly polished or patent black lace-up shoes, worn with black laces and black socks.
-
In winter, a black overcoat and white silk scarf may be worn. A top hat and cane can be added too.
Black tie dress code is the most frequently encountered formal evening wear.
It may also be described as ‘dinner jackets’, ‘DJs’ or in America, as ‘tuxedos’.
It is worn for dinners (both public and private), parties and balls, as well as some Season events such as Glyndebourne.
Black Tie Dress Code For Men;
-
A black wool (barathea) or wool mix dinner jacket, single-breasted or double-breasted, silk peaked lapels (or a shawl collar) and covered buttons. White dinner jackets were traditionally worn in hot climates but not usually in Britain, even in the summer.
-
Dinner trousers are black with a natural taper, and a single row of braid down each outside leg.
-
A white evening shirt either a wing or a flat collar. This can be worn with cufflinks and studs. A plain silk shirt with buttons may be worn but any kind of ruffles or frills should be avoided. Alternatively, a fly-fronted shirt, where the buttons are concealed, is acceptable.
-
A black hand-tied bow tie or a self tied bow tie. The size of the bow tie should be proportionate to the size of the wearer. A coloured bow tie maybe worn also.
-
Black highly polished or patent lace-up shoes and black socks.
-
Cummerbunds are not considered essential but may be worn. Also waistcoats may be worn although they are not seen very often. They would always be considered a smart option. A waistcoat and cummerbund are never worn together.
-
A white handkerchief in the left breast pocket is a classic detail.
-
A variations on Black Tie is to wear a velvet smoking jacket, usually navy blue, burgundy or dark green, with a black bow tie and dinner jacket trousers.
Morning dress is also known as ‘ formal day dress’. The jacket is always referred to as a ‘morning coat’.
Morning dress is traditional for men at weddings, formal memorial services, some official functions and formal daytime events in the presence of The Queen and some Season locations, such as the Royal Enclosure at Ascot.
Morning Dress Code For Men;
-
A Black morning coat. Single-breasted with peaked lapels, curved front edges sloping back into tails.
-
Grey and black striped Trouser.
-
A white shirt with a turned-down collar. Either single cuff or double-cuffs with cufflinks.
-
A double or single-breasted Waistcoat. These are usually buff or grey in colour. Double-breasted waistcoats may have a lapel, either shawl or peak, and are worn fully buttoned. Singlebreasted waistcoats either have a step collar or no collar, and the lowest button is always left undone.
-
Ties are preferred to cravats. A smart woven silk tie is acceptable in your choice of colour.
-
Highly polished (not patent) black lace-up shoe or a smart slip-on shoe.
-
A grey or black top hat is worn with morning dress for racing but at most other events it is carried rather than worn and is not necessary.
-
A handkerchief may be worn in the left breast pocket with an understated buttonhole.