white tie
Ultimate evening dress
White tie is the most formal dress code for evening events, requiring men to wear a black tailcoat, white bow tie, white waistcoat, and formal trousers.
For women, it means full-length gowns.
White tie events include state dinners and the most prestigious balls: The invitation specified white tie.
Less formal than white tie is black tie.
Cutaway evening jacket
- evening gownWoman's floor-length formal dress
- ballgownFormal full-length dress
- waistcoatSleeveless torso garment
- wing collarStanding band with folded corners
studs · cufflinks · patent leather · opera gloves · top hat · pocket square · dress shoes · full dress
Following strict protocol
- invitationRequest to attend
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
- dress codeStandards for acceptable attire
evening dress · strict · traditional · required · optional · downgrade · relaxed · appropriate
Formal diplomatic reception meal
- galaFestive formal occasion
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- operaTheatrical art combining song
- awards ceremonyEvent presenting formal recognition
diplomatic reception · debutante ball · inaugural ball · banquet · fundraiser · coronation · investiture · commencement
Venue for formal dances
- opera houseVenue for staged singing
- embassyOfficial diplomatic residence abroad
- palaceMonarch's official residence
- mansionLarge, stately home
concert hall · state room · banquet hall · country club · hotel ballroom · chandelier · red carpet · marble
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- high societyThe social elite
- socialiteProminent figure in fashionable circles
- debutanteFormally introduced young woman
elite · diplomat · ambassador · royalty · philanthropist · patron · blueblood · heiress
tailcoat
Cutaway evening jacket
- evening gownWoman's floor-length formal dress
- ballgownFormal full-length dress
- waistcoatSleeveless torso garment
wing collar · studs · cufflinks · patent leather · opera gloves · top hat · pocket square · dress shoes · full dress · silk stockings
formal
Following strict protocol
- invitationRequest to attend
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
dress code · evening dress · strict · traditional · required · optional · downgrade · relaxed · appropriate · specified
state dinner
Formal diplomatic reception meal
awards ceremony · diplomatic reception · debutante ball · inaugural ball · banquet · fundraiser · coronation · investiture · commencement
ballroom
Venue for formal dances
- opera houseVenue for staged singing
- embassyOfficial diplomatic residence abroad
- palaceMonarch's official residence
mansion · concert hall · state room · banquet hall · country club · hotel ballroom · chandelier · red carpet · marble · gilded
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- high societyThe social elite
- socialiteProminent figure in fashionable circles
debutante · elite · diplomat · ambassador · royalty · philanthropist · patron · blueblood · heiress · gentry
- dress codedress code, uniform policy, business casual, formal, business formal
- dress codesbusiness casual, business formal, smart casual, formal attire, formal
- fashion stylescasual wear, bohemian, formal wear, preppy, romantic
- formal attiretuxedo, evening gown, ball gown, prom dress, formal gown
- formal weartuxedo, tux, evening gown, ball gown, formal suit
- formalwearball gown, tuxedo, evening gown, formal gown, tux
white tiecasual
Relaxed and informal
informal · street clothes · dressed down · everyday wear · casual attire
white tiebackyard barbecue
Outdoor meal with grilling
house party · potluck · block party · kegger · dive bar
tie, white, whitewash, whiten, whites, whiter, whiteout, whitened, whitest