Clothes

WHITE TIE

White Tie

WHITE TIE

White tie is the most formal dress code for evening wear. To be considered dressed in white tie attire one must wear either a tuxedo with tails or a ball gown.

Tailcoat

Tailcoat - Black with silk-satin lapels tapered sharply at the front rear vent.

Trousers

Trousers - Same material as jacket; side braid matches lapel face.

Shirt-Waistcoat-Tie

Shirt - White winged collar double (aka French) cuffs.

Waistcoat - White, heavy silk or cotton pique. V- or U-shaped, single or double breasted.

Tie - White pique bow.

Jewelry-Pocket Square-Gloves

Jewelry - Onyx or pearl cufflinks and studs, NO gold (excluding wedding bands), NO wristwatch.

Pocket Square - White silk pocket square or handkerchief; long silk scarf.

Gloves - White leather or cloth carried in the left hand.

Ball Gown

Ball gown - Full-skirted gown reaching the floor (think bell shape) and tight bodice.

Undergarment

Undergarment - Crinoline, hoop or bustle underneath the dress may be used to maintain the dress' shape.

Gloves

Gloves - Should be worn at opera length (end after the elbow) and removed when eating.

Outer Garment-Handbag

Outer Garment - Stole, cape (shorter garment), cloak (longer garment), or opera coat (a floor-length loose-fitting coat).

Handbag - Clutch style or small evening bag.

Black Tie

BLACK TIE

BLACK TIE

When invited to a black tie event one must wear a tuxedo or a floor length gown.

Jacket

Traditional black wool; with no vent. Tux cuts and styles change.

Shirt-Waistcoat

Shirt - Traditional-white, turndown collar with French cuffs.

Waistcoat - The cummerbund should be silk and match the jacket facings.

Tie-Jewelry-Accessories

Tie - Traditional-bow tie; Modern-four-hand (school boy) tie.

Jewelry - Onyx, pearl, gold, etc., cufflinks or studs, and wristwatch.

Accessories - White silk pocket square.

Socks-Shoes

Socks - Black silk.

Shoes - Black shoes patent or polished leather oxfords.

Gown

The gown should be floor length.

Shoes

Traditionally a formal gown should conceal shoes.

Jewelry

Presently, necklaces are not worn with most gowns, as the gown acts as the focal point.

Hand Bag

Clutch - Strapless purse carried in the hand.

BLACK
TIE
OPTIONAL

Optinal

BLACK TIE OPTIONAL

Use of the word "optional" indicates that one may wear a tuxedo, a dark suit or a military uniform. Gowns can be floor or tea length. Cocktail attire may also be worn.

Tuxedo

Tuxedo - If you choose to wear a tux, it should not have tails.

Suit

Dark colored suit worn with a tie.

Uniform

Uniforms worn by military, police and fire personnel may be used in lieu of a tuxedo for black tie affairs.

Little Black Dress

The dress, a black one-piece garment, is an important mainstay of any woman's wardrobe. It is perfect for wearing to most functions.

Tea Length

A tea length dress hem line falls between the knee and ankle, usually stoping mid-calf.

Cocktail Attire

Little black dress, beaded dress, or dressy separates.

THE
SUIT

Suit

THE SUIT

The suit is one of the most versatile pieces of any wardrobe. Wear it with a tie for a business meeting. Lose the tie, unbutton the top button and you have an outfit perfect for a cocktail party. Replace the shirt with a polo for a smart casual look. However you wear it, the key to any suit is the correct fit.

Shoulders

The suit shoulder should end at the body’s shoulder.

Buttons

The top button of a two-button suit or middle button of a three-button suit should always be buttoned. The last button of a three-button suit should be lower than your belly button.

Jacket Fit

A flat hand should slip easily into the suit under the lapels (when the top and middle buttons are fastened). If your fist fits in the same area without pulling the button, the suit is too big.

Jacket Length

When placing your arms at your sides, the knuckles should be even with the bottom of your jacket.

Cuffs

Shirt cuffs should be visible between a quarter and a half-inch.

Break

A break refers to how the bottom leg of a pant is positioned and falls. Breaks are a matter of personal style and the shoes being worn.

Tie - Pocket Square

A tie and pocket square should not directly match. Complementary coordinating colors, patterns, and textures should be used when wearing a tie and pocket square.