White tie is also known as ‘ full evening dress’, ‘ full dress’, ‘evening dress’ or, informally, as ‘tails’. White tie is the most formal of dress codes and is not common today.

Today, white tie is worn in the evening at certain royal ceremonies and state dinners, as well as at Weddings, Reeling, Hunt, and University Balls.

It is no longer seen at the theatre or opera, and opera cloaks and silk top hats, along with canes and white gloves, are now only seen on stage.

White Tie:
– A black single-breasted tailcoat in black wool with silk peaked lapels. The coat is shorter at the front than a morning coat.
– Black trousers with a natural taper and one or two lines of braid down the outside leg.
– A white shirt with a starched wing collar and double cuffs.
– Cufflinks and studs. The shirt will usually be closed with studs rather than buttons. These may be plain white or decorative.
– A low-cut, white marcella evening waistcoat (double or singlebreasted).
– A thin, white hand-tied marcella bow tie.
– Highly polished or patent black lace-up shoes, worn with black laces (traditionally ribbon) and black socks.
– In winter, a black overcoat and white silk scarf may be worn.