If you have
been following my blog then you will probably have ready my post on ties and
you will know that I said I would talk about Black Tie and White Tie
differences. I will be dividing this
post up into two parts. Part one is the
difference between men’s Black Tie and White Tie and part two will be about women’s
dress. That is what today’s post in
going to be about. So, put on your ties and
tuxedos and let us get down to business!
First things
first; what is Black Tie and White Tie and when are they worn? White Tie is the most formal of evening dress
in the States, the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth Countries, and other
European countries. Other names for this
are “Full Dress”, “Tails”, and “Full
Evening Dress”. Black Tie is slightly
less formal, but still considered formal wear.
However, it is occasionally called semi-formal wear. It is also called the “suit and tie” that
people talk about. As for when they are
to be worn, both are only worn after 6 in the evening. They are evening wear after all. It would not make sense to wear it in the
middle of the day. White Tie is usually
worn at events such as formal weddings,
balls, state dinners, some graduation ceremonies, and when requested by the
host or hostess of the event. On the
other hand, Black Tie is worn at some weddings, operas, some dinner parties,
and some dances for school age children. Now that you know the differences in when to wear them we can move on to more important things.
Both are similar in that they both consist of a Black or Midnight Blue suit made from wool with silk lapels. The collar on the shirts both wing style and the shirts themselves are made from cotton. The waistcoats are not to be seen below the cutaway on the coat. When it comes to the trousers, both have the braids made from silk. Footwear is also the same; either a black court shoe or plain black oxfords. However, this is basically where the similarities end.
Since Black Tie events are more common, we will start with it and go from the top to the bottom. Obviously, as the name suggests one wears a black bow tie. You never, ever wear a necktie to a Black Tie event. It just looks bad and very out of place. You will look like you have no idea what is going. That may in fact be the case, but at least try to look like you at least know how to dress yourself. The dress shirt that is worn with this particular dress is usually called a "dress shirt", "formal shirt", or a "tuxedo shirt". These come in several styles, but almost always have some form of pleating. The waistcoat that is worn with Black Tie is called an evening waistcoat and it can be switched out for a cummerbund. Yes, it is cummerbund NOT cumberbun. You would not believe how many people I have come across asking if I know anything about "cumberbuns". It is ridiculous. Anyway, back to Black Tie. The trouser will only have one silk braid on the side, NOT two. I see a lot of people with two, Black Tie only has one silk braid. Here is an example of Black Tie attire.
When it comes to the accessories worn for Black Tie, if you must have colour, then it is only a single colour and is muted. No bright colours when you are wearing Black Tie! Absolutely not! DO NOT WEAR A TOP HAT WITH BLACK TIE ATTIRE!!! Just don't. If you are going to wear at hat then follow the guide. For warm seasons you wear a boater hat made of star and during cold seasons you wear a Homburg that is the same colour as your suit. A handkerchief is usually worn in the pocket on the breast. This handkerchief is either made of silk or cotton today, but the traditional one is made of linen. As the wearing of a handkerchief is slightly out of fashion, or if you are attending a less formal form of Black Tie, a Boutonnière is worn and will usually be a rose. You do not wear it if you are wearing a handkerchief. That is another big fashion no-no. Pocket watches are the desired timepiece if you must have one. However, time pieces that are out and visible are not desired. This is because if you are going to a formal event it is considered rude to be constantly checking the time. If you live in ridiculously cold places you may wear a matching overcoat, scarf, and white gloves. If you do not live in a cold climate I am not sure why you would even need these, but if you insist on having it just in case, make sure it matches!
Now on White Tie! White Tie events require a white bow tie in case it was not obvious enough and is made from cotton. Once again, no neckties. That is just trashy looking and you will probably not be allowed into the event at all if you wear one. The coat itself is made differently. It is called a "bodycoat" by the people that make them and will have more detail. Also, this is where you get the tails on the coat. The coat does not button! Do not even try to button it. Those six buttons are there for decorations and nothing else. The shirt that is to be worn will have no pleats on the front at all. It is plain and made of cotton. Also, the collar is detachable. No cummerbunds are to be worn at White Tie events. Instead there are special cotton waistcoats called a low-cut waistcoat that are made for White Tie dress. Make sure that your waistcoat covers your belt! That is very important. The trousers that are to be worn for White Tie have two silk braids going down the side. You can get away with only having one, but if people notice they might look at you strangely. So, to be on the safe side, make sure that your trousers have two braids. This is what White Tie looks like.
Accessories for White Tie are few, but the details in them are very important to get correct! Your buttons need to match. It does not matter if they are gold, silver, or have semi-precious or precious stones set in them. They need to match. That means shirt studs, cufflinks (if worn), and the buttons on the waistcoat. All of it. No exceptions! Another thing with no exceptions is that you must not wear a watch on your wrist. It does not matter what brand or how expensive it is. The standard time piece is a pocket watch. Yes, it is proper to wear a pocket watch to White Tie. Boutonnières are almost never worn and the standard is to wear a white handkerchief. If you have state decorations, those go on your pocket instead. Top hats are the standard hat for White Tie and white gloves are to be worn when dancing and at other times except for dining. You do not want to get your gloves dirty. Not only are they a pain to clean because they are so delicate, but it just looks bad. If you must wear a coat it should be a Chesterfield coat. If you want to go for a cloak instead, you wear a opera cloak or an Inverness cloak. Yes, an Inverness cloak. That's right. In the old movies and drawings Sherlock Holmes is wearing a cloak that is worn with White Tie attire. How classy! Scarves that are worn sometimes are made of silk and if you want to have cane, you may.
That is it. In terms of men's Black Tie and White Tie these are the basics. Just remember to always wear what the dress code calls for! If it says White Tie do not wear Black Tie and vice versa. Some hosts or hostesses might want certain accent colours and some will not want accent colours to be worn by guests at all. If you have any doubts, check with the host or hostess. They will always be able to clear things up for you. They know what they want and since it is their event, they make the rules. You may go your entire life and not go to either a Black Tie or White Tie affair. You may go to several in a year. It just depends. However, many of my friends that are guys have at least the attire for a Black Tie event. They have told me that it is always good to have it on hand and to make sure that it fits because you never know when you might need it.
I hope this has helped you guys out! Until next time!
Both are similar in that they both consist of a Black or Midnight Blue suit made from wool with silk lapels. The collar on the shirts both wing style and the shirts themselves are made from cotton. The waistcoats are not to be seen below the cutaway on the coat. When it comes to the trousers, both have the braids made from silk. Footwear is also the same; either a black court shoe or plain black oxfords. However, this is basically where the similarities end.
Since Black Tie events are more common, we will start with it and go from the top to the bottom. Obviously, as the name suggests one wears a black bow tie. You never, ever wear a necktie to a Black Tie event. It just looks bad and very out of place. You will look like you have no idea what is going. That may in fact be the case, but at least try to look like you at least know how to dress yourself. The dress shirt that is worn with this particular dress is usually called a "dress shirt", "formal shirt", or a "tuxedo shirt". These come in several styles, but almost always have some form of pleating. The waistcoat that is worn with Black Tie is called an evening waistcoat and it can be switched out for a cummerbund. Yes, it is cummerbund NOT cumberbun. You would not believe how many people I have come across asking if I know anything about "cumberbuns". It is ridiculous. Anyway, back to Black Tie. The trouser will only have one silk braid on the side, NOT two. I see a lot of people with two, Black Tie only has one silk braid. Here is an example of Black Tie attire.
When it comes to the accessories worn for Black Tie, if you must have colour, then it is only a single colour and is muted. No bright colours when you are wearing Black Tie! Absolutely not! DO NOT WEAR A TOP HAT WITH BLACK TIE ATTIRE!!! Just don't. If you are going to wear at hat then follow the guide. For warm seasons you wear a boater hat made of star and during cold seasons you wear a Homburg that is the same colour as your suit. A handkerchief is usually worn in the pocket on the breast. This handkerchief is either made of silk or cotton today, but the traditional one is made of linen. As the wearing of a handkerchief is slightly out of fashion, or if you are attending a less formal form of Black Tie, a Boutonnière is worn and will usually be a rose. You do not wear it if you are wearing a handkerchief. That is another big fashion no-no. Pocket watches are the desired timepiece if you must have one. However, time pieces that are out and visible are not desired. This is because if you are going to a formal event it is considered rude to be constantly checking the time. If you live in ridiculously cold places you may wear a matching overcoat, scarf, and white gloves. If you do not live in a cold climate I am not sure why you would even need these, but if you insist on having it just in case, make sure it matches!
Now on White Tie! White Tie events require a white bow tie in case it was not obvious enough and is made from cotton. Once again, no neckties. That is just trashy looking and you will probably not be allowed into the event at all if you wear one. The coat itself is made differently. It is called a "bodycoat" by the people that make them and will have more detail. Also, this is where you get the tails on the coat. The coat does not button! Do not even try to button it. Those six buttons are there for decorations and nothing else. The shirt that is to be worn will have no pleats on the front at all. It is plain and made of cotton. Also, the collar is detachable. No cummerbunds are to be worn at White Tie events. Instead there are special cotton waistcoats called a low-cut waistcoat that are made for White Tie dress. Make sure that your waistcoat covers your belt! That is very important. The trousers that are to be worn for White Tie have two silk braids going down the side. You can get away with only having one, but if people notice they might look at you strangely. So, to be on the safe side, make sure that your trousers have two braids. This is what White Tie looks like.
Accessories for White Tie are few, but the details in them are very important to get correct! Your buttons need to match. It does not matter if they are gold, silver, or have semi-precious or precious stones set in them. They need to match. That means shirt studs, cufflinks (if worn), and the buttons on the waistcoat. All of it. No exceptions! Another thing with no exceptions is that you must not wear a watch on your wrist. It does not matter what brand or how expensive it is. The standard time piece is a pocket watch. Yes, it is proper to wear a pocket watch to White Tie. Boutonnières are almost never worn and the standard is to wear a white handkerchief. If you have state decorations, those go on your pocket instead. Top hats are the standard hat for White Tie and white gloves are to be worn when dancing and at other times except for dining. You do not want to get your gloves dirty. Not only are they a pain to clean because they are so delicate, but it just looks bad. If you must wear a coat it should be a Chesterfield coat. If you want to go for a cloak instead, you wear a opera cloak or an Inverness cloak. Yes, an Inverness cloak. That's right. In the old movies and drawings Sherlock Holmes is wearing a cloak that is worn with White Tie attire. How classy! Scarves that are worn sometimes are made of silk and if you want to have cane, you may.
That is it. In terms of men's Black Tie and White Tie these are the basics. Just remember to always wear what the dress code calls for! If it says White Tie do not wear Black Tie and vice versa. Some hosts or hostesses might want certain accent colours and some will not want accent colours to be worn by guests at all. If you have any doubts, check with the host or hostess. They will always be able to clear things up for you. They know what they want and since it is their event, they make the rules. You may go your entire life and not go to either a Black Tie or White Tie affair. You may go to several in a year. It just depends. However, many of my friends that are guys have at least the attire for a Black Tie event. They have told me that it is always good to have it on hand and to make sure that it fits because you never know when you might need it.
I hope this has helped you guys out! Until next time!
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