White tie
The most formal dress code there is: tailcoat, white vest and white bow tie. What it means, and how we fit you for it.
White tie is the most formal dress code there is. It's rare, and when an invitation asks for it, there's no substitute.
What to wear
- A black tailcoat, short in front and long at the back, worn open.
- Trousers to match, with a double stripe of satin down the side.
- A white wing-collar shirt with a stiff front, and studs.
- A white vest, low-cut, that doesn't show below the front of the coat.
- A white bow tie.
- Black patent shoes.
White tie or black tie?
Black tie is a tuxedo with a black bow tie. White tie is the step above it: tails, a white vest and a white bow tie. If the invitation says "white tie", a tuxedo isn't the same.
How it should fit
The vest and the shirt front are the hard part. The vest must cover the waistband, and stay hidden under the front of the coat. The sleeves show a little shirt cuff, like any suit.
Rent or buy
We have tails, to rent or to buy, and we fit them in our shop like any tux. Rent them for one night. If white tie comes up every year, owning them makes sense.
Bring the invitation. We'll fit you for the tails and put the whole look together.
Style tips.
- The vest should never show below the front of the coat.
- The bow tie is white, not black.
- The coat is worn open: it's cut not to close.
- Rent the tails or buy them. We fit them in our shop.
Colours.
Black
White
Silver
White tie is rare. When the invitation says it, it means it.
Questions.
- What does white tie mean?
- The most formal dress code: a black tailcoat, matching trousers with a double stripe, a white wing-collar shirt, a white vest and a white bow tie.
- Is white tie the same as black tie?
- No. Black tie is a tuxedo and a black bow tie. White tie is one step higher: a tailcoat, a white vest and a white bow tie.
- Can I wear a tuxedo to a white tie event?
- Not really. White tie means tails. If you're unsure, ask the hosts.
- Can I rent tails at San Marko?
- Yes. We rent and sell tailcoats, and fit them in our shop.
- What shoes go with white tie?
- Black patent leather, or a plain black shoe with a high shine.
Advice from the San Marko fitting room, 718 Central Park Ave, Yonkers, NY. Family-run since the early 1970s.
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