White Tie Events
White tie events are the most formal occasions of all. When your invitation indicates white tie as the dress code, you should know then that it's strictly formal. These type of events are the most formal, and are usually the most important social functions, too. People actually consider it a big thing. And you definitely should not mess with this one.
You have to comply. Dressing up rightly as the occasion requires show respect to the host or hostess for that matter. But to be able to do this you should know well what exactly to wear.
White tie is a dress code and has nothing to do with white necktie or even to a white colored suit. The best distinction of is the tail coat suit. It's black of course, just like a tux, but its front side is cut short (waist length) and has 2 "tails."
For men, white tie means wearing a tailcoat. This coat or jacket is short or waist-length in the front but has two tails in the back that should reach to the knees. It may also be called a swallowtail coat because of the "wings" on the back of the jacket.
There are some things to be considered when choosing the right pants for this type of event. The pants color should be black and may have a satin strip down on the outer aspect of the legs. The materials to be chosen should be of the highest quality. The finest wool or wool/silk blends are the best choice for this.
A tux front, or better known as a dickie, is usually worn with a white shirt. It may be attached to the collar of the tux, which can be tucked into into a cummerbund. Attached also to the white wing shirt is a white wing collar.
Like all the other details of a white tie event wardrobe, socks to be worn should only be of fine quality. Although one can pretty much get away with less fancy socks, one can still wear a pair of good quality silk socks if totally completing the real white tie event look is of utmost consideration.
As for shoes, they should only be made of patent leather. Noting beats a really nice, shiny and clean pair of leather shoes for a formal event like the white tie.
If there is a need to wear an overcoat, an opera coat is the best choice. And if a hat has to be worn, a top hat is the best choice.
Note though that there are exceptions to men's dress code for a white tie event. Men who are from the military, those who are ministers, and also those who need to wear state costumes are exempted from this white tie rule and can arrive in their finest uniform or state costumes.
