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After Six Evening For Him
(UK and Common Wealth)
In General
Formal or Semi-Formal?Formal ('White Tie') dress code is normally reserved for Opera, Ballet, Charity Balls, and Royal Events.
More commonly Semi-Formal ('Black Tie') is sufficient. |
| Day or Evening Dress?Within the more formal dress codes there is a different code for day and evening functions.
Be sure to use the correct dress code. |
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Hat
Top HatBlack.
Take it off when inside.
Optional. |
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Neck
TieWhite silk or satin pique bow tie.
Hand tied is best. |
| | Scarf |
Coat
CloakA loose over garment which covers the wearer and their evening dress from shoulders to ankles, normally fastening at the neck. There are no arms.
Wool, cashmere, velvet, satin, silk and fur are all common materials for evening cloaks.
Good quality linings and trimmings. |
| | Opera Coat |
Jacket
TailcoatBlack.
Also known as a Swallow Tail Coat.
The standard White Tie evening attire.
A tail coat has a horizontal cutaway design, waist length at the front and sides and knee length at the back. |
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Waist Coat
Top
Formal ShirtSingle cuffed and winged.
White.
True traditionalists have detachable collar and cuffs. |
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Bottom
Formal TrousersBlack.
Two satin seams on the outside leg.
No turn ups/cuffs. No belt loops (normally worn with braces). |
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Ankles
SocksBlack.
Knee length.
Silk (ribbed) |
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Footwear
Formal ShoesBlack.
Lace up.
No toe cap or decorative brogueing.
Patent leather in the evening, non-patent leather during the day. |
| Court Shoes / Opera ShoesPatent leather.
Silk (ribbed) bow.
Not seen very often. |
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Accessories
| Formal Gloves | Cufflinks| Preferably black or gold. |
| Studs| Preferably black or gold. |
| | Braces | | Handkerchief | BoutonniereWhite.
A flower for your jacket button hole. |
| | Cane |
Alternatives
Military Dress UniformA military mess uniform is suitable for a formal event.
You must be entitled to wear the uniform.
In the navy 'Mess Dress' is worn for formal events. |
| Traditional Dress| Traditional dress is always appropriate for formal events. |
| Scottish DressScottish dress is suitable for formal events, and is common in Scotland. However, you should be sure to have a claim upon a tartan before wearing it.
Scottish dress consists of a black jacket (Prince Charlie, Montrose, Sheriffmuir, Argyll, Regulation Doublets), black waistcoat, kilt or trews (a form of hightop trouser without side seams, and cut on the cross-grain), collarless dress shirt (see above), white bow tie or lace jabot, kilt hose, black Ghillie brogues, flashes and sporran. |
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