Dress Codes
Clothing rules
Have you got an invitation and aren't quite sure what exactly to put on to comply with the requested dress code? We've created a dress code page which is meant to serve as a guide which tells you how to dress appropriately to formal events.
As a manufacturer of festive formal wear we'd like to familiarise you with the festive dress codes. In particular, dress codes are important in the field of formal wear. Dress codes are not just a plea but a serious request - even a rule - as to how a man has to dress to an invitation. We recommend to comply with the guidelines unless otherwise agreed upon with the host. Especially royal weddings call for DRESS CODES like a morning coat as a wedding suit. Enjoy our festive dress codes relating to BLACK TIE, WHITE TIE and MORNING COAT.
Different dress codes
BLACK TIE
Did you receive an invitation which says dress code BLACK TIE? This is the official request to wear your dinner suit. However, it is not the tie that is meant but a black bowtie which is the appropriate accessory to go with the dinner suit. Dinner suits were first worn in the English smoking rooms at the end of the last century. By the way, in America the dinner suit is called tuxedo. The elegant dinner suit: The black, single-breasted dinner jacket with shawl collar is the right choice for social events after 6pm - also in double-breasted or fashionable variants and new colours. Young dinner suit versions are trending. These days many grooms choose a dinner suit as wedding suit, also before 6pm, the rules have relaxed a little bit.
What do the ladies wear with dress code BLACK TIE? A festive evening dress (shorter or long but not mini), shoes with heels if possible. open shoes without stockings are allowed.
WHITE TIE
By WHITE TIE - or "cravate blanche" in French - you don't mean a tie but a white piqué bowtie which is the appropriate accessory to go with evening tails. How to dress for invitations saying "White Tie": Civilians wear an evening tailcoat, soldiers may appear in their dress uniform. National dresses as well as received awards are also allowed at events with this very formal dress code. Nowadays, there are not too many events left where evening tails have to be worn but still there are a few occasions where the king of formal wear is the appropriate attire like opera balls, nobel prize awards, state banquets as well as important royal wedding balls. As a rule of thumb you wear an evening tailcoat after 3pm or even better after dark. Before 3 pm and before dark you wear a morning coat which is sort of tailcoat during the daytime.
WHITE TIE dress code for ladies: very formal long gown, shoes with heels if possible, open shoes without stockings are allowed.
Morning coat
Did you receive an invitation that says dress code: CUTAWAY / MORNING COAT? This is the official request to wear a morning coat. The morning coat is, so to say, the evening tailsuit and most formal attire during the daytime. In Britain the "cutaway" is called morning coat. This name perfectly defines the time of the day when to wear this formal garment. The German term "Cut" derives from its curved edge. which looks like being cut away. Furthermore the morning coat is a classic wedding outfit, especially at royal weddings. It is also worn at state funerals, state receptions in the daytime or award ceremonies. It is the equivalent of the tailsuit during the daytime, so to speak. The rule of thumb is to wear it in the daytime until 3 pm or until dusk - afterwards at the evening event the evening tailsuit should be worn.
What should the ladies wear to comply with the dress code morning coat? A short dress with coordinated jacket or coat or an appropriate ladies suit. Shoes: elegant, at funeral services nylon stockings are indispensable.
SUMMER PARTY
Have you got an invitation that says dress code TUXEDO jacket or is this an invitation to a very formal garden party? Then this is the official request to wear a classic cream-coloured tuxedo jacket. What precisely is the tuxedo jacket? The white tuxedo is a classic of formal wear for all social formal functions during daytime, special garden parties or cruises. It is sort of dinner suit / BLACK TIE attire for daytime or summer functions. The white tuxedo is worn with a white wing-collar dress shirt and black classic dinner trousers. This attire is not appropriate for weddings. After your fancy: black, white or coloured bowtie matching the pocket square and cummerbund. Our tip for you: in bordeaux red.
What do the ladies wear with dress code WHITE TUXEDO? A festive summer dress, suitable for daytime events (shorter or long but not mini), shoes with heels if possible, open shoes without stockings are allowed.
BLACK TIE - at one glance
Dinner suit with shawl collar and trousers with satin stripe, usually in black, meanwhile also in dark blue or other subdued colours
Dress shirt in white (wing collar) with light or black decorative buttons
Black bowtie with matching cummerbund (alternatively with a black waistcoat)
Patent leather shoes, either smooth or structured
If the dress code is strict you better choose the white tuxedo jacket as dinner suit of the day before 6 pm or at parties in the open air
WHITE TIE - at one glance
Black evening tail jacket either in a basic or slim fit with matching trousers made of the same fabric with double braiding at sides
White dress shirt with piqué front with matching white low-cut piqué waistcoat and white piqué bowtie
Classic black patent leather shoes
Crowning achievement: black collapsible top hat (French: chapeau claque)
Morning Coat - at one glance
Morning coat jacket in black, grey or blue (depending on the season and occasion)
Striped trousers in black or grey - also modern plain variants matching the jacket
Silver tie or cravat with matching waistcoat. Brits especially like coloured versions.
Black leather lace-up shoes (no patent leather shoes)
White shark collar shirt
Crowning achievement: grey felt top hat
Summerly - at one glance
Cream-coloured dinner jacket with shawl collar or peak lapel
Black dinner trousers
Accessories in a colour you like. We recommend cummerbund, bowtie and pocket square in bordeaux red or black
Black leather lace-up shoes (patent leather shoes are very nice)
White dinner shirt
Matching cufflinks with a shirt with festive double cuffs