We've all been there. You've received an invitation in the post, and excitedly open it only to find that the sender has invited you to a party where the dress code is "Glamour with a twist". Seriously? Is that a dinner jacket with a water-squirting bow tie? Creative dress codes really help no one, and if you do receive an invitation detailing such, the best thing to do is rsvp for clarification! Most invitations will stick to the more tried, tested, and definable men's dress codes set out below, and as long as you follow our advice, you've never any reason to show up looking like the odd one out.
White Tie
White tie represents the pinnacle of formal dress codes, a rarefied realm most will never encounter. Yet, for the fortunate few attending a state banquet, royal ceremony, or similar occasion, adherence to its exacting sartorial standards is paramount. White tie permits no deviations beyond the personal flourishes of a pocket square, cufflinks, or boutonnière—every other element is rigidly prescribed.
The jacket, unique to white tie, is not interchangeable with a morning coat despite shared tails. It must be a black, double-breasted tailcoat with four to six buttons, adorned with silk facings and peak lapels, extending to the back of the knees. Trousers, typically worn with suspenders, should feature a satin stripe along each outer leg, maintaining a sleek, formal line. The shirt - a non-negotiable white marcella cotton with a detachable wing collar - grounds the ensemble in tradition. The waistcoat, equally unyielding, must be white, with three or four buttons, and precisely tailored: long enough to conceal the trouser waistband, yet short enough to sit above the tailcoat’s front hem. A white bow tie and patent black Oxfords complete the look. Optional accessories—white scarf, gloves, pocket square, or black top hat - offer discreet avenues for individuality, left to the wearer’s discretion.
Black Tie
