Dear Diane,
I was invited to an event that didn’t specify the dress code clearly. What is the true definition of “White Tie”?
Thanks, CG
Dear CG.,
Here is the definition of White Tie Etiquette for both men and women. I hope your event is not tonight! You may need time to purchase or rent your attire.
Women’s White Tie Attire
-Floor length evening gown
-Long gloves
-Tasteful jewelry
-Dressy shoes – preferably with a heel
-A stole or wrap for cold winter evenings
Men’s White Tie Attire
-Black tailcoat (a man’s formal evening coat – slit at the back to form the illusion of a tail – shorter in front),
-Same colored slacks with a single satin stripe (US), or double stripe in the United Kingdom
-White piqué wing-collared shirt
-White vest and white bow tie
-Braces (suspenders)
-White (or gray) gloves
-Black patent shoes – no leather loafers
-Matching colored (black) dress socks
Best,
Diane
You may also like Business Attire Etiquette. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.
