white tie and tails
Peak male formality
White tie and tails is the most formal evening dress code for men, consisting of a white bow tie, white waistcoat, and a tailcoat—a jacket with long tails at the back.
The outfit includes a wing-collar shirt and black trousers with satin stripes.
Reserved for state dinners, formal balls, and opera premieres: The invitation specified white tie and tails.
Cutaway evening jacket
- evening dressFormal women's garment
- ballgownFormal full-length dress
- opera glovesLengthy formal arm coverings
- cravatNeck scarf, tucked in
cummerbund · patent leather shoes · top hat · wing collar · studs · dress shirt · boutonniere · formal shoes
Formal diplomatic reception meal
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- debutante ballFormal introduction to society
- galaFestive formal occasion
- diplomatic receptionFormal event hosting foreign officials
coronation · awards ceremony · inaugural ball · papal audience · royal wedding · charity ball
Extended composition for orchestra
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
opera · recital · concerto · overture · soloist · orchestra pit · concert hall · Fred Astaire
Elegance of manner
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- formalityStrict observance of convention
prestige · grandeur · opulence · exclusivity · distinction · decorum · protocol · etiquette
tailcoat
Cutaway evening jacket
- evening dressFormal women's garment
- ballgownFormal full-length dress
- opera glovesLengthy formal arm coverings
cravat · cummerbund · patent leather shoes · top hat · wing collar · studs · dress shirt · boutonniere · formal shoes · pocket watch
state dinner
Formal diplomatic reception meal
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- debutante ballFormal introduction to society
- galaFestive formal occasion
diplomatic reception · coronation · awards ceremony · inaugural ball · papal audience · royal wedding · charity ball
symphony
Extended composition for orchestra
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- philharmonicLarge orchestra organization
maestro · opera · recital · concerto · overture · soloist · orchestra pit · concert hall · Fred Astaire · ballroom dancing
refinement
Elegance of manner
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
formality · prestige · grandeur · opulence · exclusivity · distinction · decorum · protocol · etiquette · propriety
white tie and tailscasual wear
Informal, comfortable clothing
streetwear · sweatpants · athleisure · pajamas · loungewear
white tie and tailsoveralls
Trousers with bib front
rags · hand-me-downs · dungarees · coveralls · off-the-rack
white, tails, tail, whiten, whiteness, whitish, whiter, whitest, tied