Prince Phillip and President George W. Bush in white tie, in company of Queen Elizabeth II and Laura Bush, during the Queen's 2007 U.S. visit.

White tie worn by a mentalist in a mind-reading performance, 1900

White tie (evening dress, full evening dress in the U.K.) is the most formal dress code. In the United Kingdom, civilian day court dress in the Royal court is similar to white tie. Yet, white tie has replaced it in formal state occasions, e.g. ambassadors at the State Opening of Parliament. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... HRH The Duke of Edinburgh His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (Philip Mountbatten, formerly Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark), styled HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (born 10 June 1921), is the consort of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... Elizabeth II in an official portrait as Queen of Canada (on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002, wearing the Sovereigns badges of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) (born 21 April 1926), styled HM The... Laura Lane Welch Bush (born November 4, 1946) is the current First Lady of the United States and the wife of the forty-third and current President of the United States George W. Bush. ... In parapsychology, a Mentalist, as opposed to a psychic, is defined as someone who is believed not only to be able to read information mentally, but also to alter that information. ... Clothing has various sociological functions, including: conspicuous consumption stating or claiming identity establishing, maintaining and defying sociological group norms Thus wearing specific types of clothing or the manner of wearing clothing can convey messages about class, income, belief and attitude. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards and make it more accessible to a general audience, this article may require cleanup. ... In the United Kingdom, the State Opening of Parliament is an annual event held usually in October or November that marks the commencement of a session of Parliament. ...

The semi-formal counterparts of white tie are black tie and morning dress. (cf. Formal wear definitions) This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Morning dress is a particular category of mens formal dress. ... Formal wear (more often in the United States) or formal dress (in the United Kingdom) is a general fashion term used to describe clothing suitable for formal events, including weddings, debutante cotillions, etc. ...

Elements

Formal evening dress is strictly regulated, and properly comprising:

• Black tailcoat with silk (ribbed or satin) facings, sharply cut-away at the front
• Black trousers with a single stripe of satin or braid in the US or two stripes in Europe; trousers are fish-tail back, thus worn with braces (suspenders) as opposed to a belt.
• White stiff-fronted cotton piqué shirt
• White stiff-winged collar
• White bow tie (usually cotton pique)
• White low-cut waistcoat (usually cotton piqué, matching the bow tie and shirt)
• Black silk stockings
• Black patent leather pumps or shoes

The front of the coat is cut as if it were double-breasted, but is never buttoned. It is, in fact, cut so that it cannot be closed. The front cut-away is squared, in contrast to a morning coat, which has a diagonally-angled cut-away. Bandleader Vincent Lopez in white tie, early 1920s Evening dress (also known as full evening dress) or white tie is the most formal dress code that exists for civilians today. ... For other uses of this word, see Silk (disambiguation). ... Satin used in bedding Structure of silk satin Look up Satin in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Business shirt In American English, shirt can refer to almost any upper-body garment other than coats and bras (the term top is sometimes used in ladieswear). ... William Shakespeare in a sheer linen collar of the early 17th century, a direct ancestor of the modern shirt collar. ... One option to tie a bowtie The bowtie is a mens fashion accessory, popularly worn with other formal attire, such as suits. ... A traditional waistcoat, to be worn with a two-piece suit or separate jacket and trousers A waistcoat (sometimes called a vest in Canada and the US) is a sleeveless upper-body garment worn over a dress shirt and necktie (if applicable) and below a coat as a part of... A stocking is a close-fitting, variously elastic garment covering the foot and lower part of the leg, but usually not intended to conceal the leg. ... Patent leather is leather that has been given a high gloss, shiny finish. ... A pump can mean many different types of shoe depending on the person using the word and where they are located. ... Two men wearing formal morning dress at a wedding in 1929. ...

Additionally, it is common to wear medals, sashes, and other decorations with white tie dress, especially if the man has some military, political, or royal background. A Medal can mean three things: a wearable medal awarded by a government for services to a country (such as Armed force service); strictly speaking this only refers to a medal of coin-like appearance, but informally the word also refers to an Order (decoration); a table medal awarded by...

At some state and heraldic occasions in Britain, black buckled pumps, knee-breeches and silk stockings are worn instead of trousers.^{[citation needed]} This is particularly necessary where the garter of the Order of the Garter is intended to be worn. Originally an item of clothing, there are now several related meanings: Garter (clothing), the item of clothing Order of the Garter, a senior British order of chivalry List of female members of the mediaeval Order of the Garter List of Knights and Ladies of the Garter from 1348 Garter snake... The insignia of a knight of the Order of the Garter. ...

Shirts, waistcoats and bow ties are now usually made of cotton marcella, although plain linen shirts and white or off-white silk ties and waistcoats are sometimes worn. Shirt studs and cufflinks should be silver or white. A white handkerchief and flower may be worn. At occasions of state, and in the presence of royalty, state decorations are worn by those who have been awarded them: miniature medals plus up to four breast stars, a narrow neck riband and a broad riband (sash). If a Knight of the Garter wears breeches, he wears his garter under his left knee. Ladies of the Garter wear theirs above their left elbow. For other uses, see Cotton (disambiguation). ... Torn linen cloth, recovered from the Dead Sea Linen is a material made from the fibers of the flax plant. ... A medal is a small metal object, usually engraved with insignia, that is awarded to a person for athletic, military, scientific, academic or some other kind of achievement. ...

In recent times, some wearers have the coat and waistcoat cut so that the waistcoat shows below the coat -- see President Bush in the photo, as compared to Prince Phillip, and the mentalist. Traditionally, this was frowned upon.[1]

Outdoors a black silk top hat may be worn, with an opera cloak or overcoat. White gloves, scarf and cane are optional extras. Duke Ellington wearing a top hat. ... Evening cloak or manteau, from Costume Parisien, 1823 A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat—it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable...

Variations

Military mess dress or hunt uniform may also be seen at a white tie event. Three Canadian officers in shawl or rolled collar jacket and waistcoat style mess dress or mess kit. ...

National Dress

National costume may also be worn to white tie functions[2]. Faroese folk dance club with some members in national costumes National costume, also known as national dress, regional costume or folk dress, expresses an identity through costume which usually relates to a geographic area, but can also indicate social, marital and/or religious status. ...

Scottish Highland dress

As a specific example of national dress, Scottish Highland dress may also be worn at white tie events. Lowland-Highland divide Highland Sign with welcome in English and Gaelic The Scottish Highlands (A Ghàidhealtachd in Gaelic) include the rugged and mountainous regions of Scotland north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault. ...

The traditional white tie version of Highland dress consists of:

• Black formal kilt jacket - the Prince Charlie coatee, Montrose doublet, Sheriffmuir doublet, Kenmore doublet or regulation doublet is suitable
• Black barathea (or velvet, with a velvet doublet) or white piqué waistcoat; no waistcoat is worn with the Kenmore doublet
• Kilt
• White piqué shirt with white studs and cufflinks
• White piqué bow tie with the coatee or regulation doublet; white lace jabot with the other doublets
• Black Ghillie brogues; black buckle brogues ("Mary Janes") may be worn with the Montrose, Sheriffmuir, or Kenmore doublet
• Tartan or red and white, red and black or blue and white diced kilt hose
• Flashes
• Sporran - formal type with a silver-mounted cantle-top and fur pouch or a full fur and animal mask type

See also: Scottish apparel A kilt in the Black Watch tartan A kilt is a traditional garment of modern Scottish and Celtic culture typically worn by men. ... Brogues This article is about the shoe. ... For the artificial athletic track surface, see tartan track. ... Semi dress black leather sporran A Sporran is a pouch made of leather or fur that is worn on a chain around the waist on the front of a kilt. ... The term Scottish apparel describes the traditional dress of Scotland. ...

Female equivalent

Although female dress is not as formally codified as that of men, where white tie is prescribed, women are generally expected to wear full-length dresses, such as ball gowns. Depending on the formality of the event, bare shoulders may or may not be acceptable. Shawls and long gloves are common accessories. At the most formal balls, ball gowns are often required to be white. Ball gowns of the 1860s A Ball gown is the most formal female attire for social occasions. ...

Where state decorations are worn, it will usually be appropriate for married women to wear tiaras. This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Appropriate occasions

Like black tie, evening dress is generally worn only after 6 p.m. (see note 1 for an exception). Occasions include:

• State dinners (e.g. dinners with visiting heads of state)
• Some Commemoration balls and May balls at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the June Ball of University College Durham and the Caledonian Society Alnwick Ball of the University of Durham
• Hunt balls
• Carnival Balls
• Some balls during the London Season
• the Lord Mayor of London's Mansion House Banquet (although Gordon Brown famously ignored the dress code whilst he was Chancellor of the Exchequer.)^[1]

The situation is similar in the United States, though for many formal occasions (such as weddings and the Academy Awards, for example) the white-tie-and-tail suit was replaced by the standard black-tie tuxedo, after the 1950s. The white-tie had sometimes informally been known as the "soup-and-fish" suit, because it was worn for formal many-course meals which began with soup, then fish, before meat dishes. [3][4]. In America white-tie is still occasionally seen at: State dinners in different countries follow different rules and are governed by different protocols. ... For the comedy film of the same name, see Head of State (film). ... A Commemoration ball or Commem. ... The bridge over the River Cam at Clare College during its 2005 May Ball. ... The University of Oxford (informally Oxford University), located in the city of Oxford, England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. ... The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University), located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and has a reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. ... University College, commonly known as Castle, is a college of the University of Durham in England. ... Durham University is a university in England. ... The social season or Season has historically referred to the annual period when it is customary for members of the social and political elite of society to hold debutante balls, dinner parties, and large charity events, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. ... For others with the same or similar names, see Gordon Brown (disambiguation). ... The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister responsible for all economic and financial matters. ... Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and U.S. President Ronald Reagan wearing black tie with wives in Quebec, Canada, March 18, 1985. ...

• Balls and cotillions
• Weddings
• Artistic premiers or the opening of an art season in large cities, such as the opera or ballet. The swallow-tail coat with long tails has become almost a cliché for concert pianists of the classical school.

In Austria and elsewhere in Continental Europe there are many balls where white tie is worn; a notable example is the Vienna Opera Ball. In Finland, Norway, Sweden as well as The Netherlands many academic traditions still require white tie. In Norway and Sweden many weddings are white tie as is the Nobel Prize ceremony and dinner occasions with the royal family. A ball is a formal dance. ... For other uses, see Cotillion (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Wedding (disambiguation). ... Continental Europe, also referred to as mainland Europe or simply the Continent, is the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands and, at times, peninsulas. ... The Vienna Opera Ball (Wiener Opernball in German) is an annual Austrian society event which takes place in the building of the Vienna State Opera on the Thursday preceding Ash Wednesday. ... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain... The Nobel Prize (Swedish: ) was established in Alfred Nobels will in 1895, and it was first awarded in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace in 1901. ...

In Japan for school graduation ceremonies, white tie is reserved for the "special dignitaries" such as the school principal and the teachers of the graduating students.

Conductors, classical pianists, and members of an orchestra or symphony playing classical music often are dressed in white tie, as well as many college level choirs, and the occasional barbershop quartet. A conductor conducting at a ceremony A conductors score and batons Conducting is the act of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. ... For other uses, see Orchestra (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Classical music is a broad, somewhat imprecise term, referring to music produced in, or rooted in the traditions of, European art, ecclesiastical and concert music, encompassing a broad period from roughly 1000 to the present day. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Barbershop harmony is a style of unaccompanied vocal music characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture. ...

Related forms of dress

White ties were historically worn by clerics and in the professions that formerly were filled by priests and minor clerics. In various forms they are still worn as part of:

• Clerical dress (by persons in Holy Orders)
• Clerical dress (by clerks etc. in Parliament)
• Court dress (in courts of law)
• Court dress (in the Royal court)
• Academic dress (in the older universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and St Andrews)
• The form of school dress known as 'Stick Ups' is used to recognize senior pupils of note at Eton College

White ties are not usually worn with military mess dress, where black ties are most often worn even with the most formal variants. In the Royal Navy, mess dress (as opposed to mess undress) requires a white waistcoat but a black tie. Catholic deacon candidates prostrate before the altar of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles during a 2004 diaconate ordination liturgy In a general sense, the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. ... The House of Representatives Chamber of the Parliament of Australia in Canberra. ... Court dress comprises two forms of dress: dress prescribed for Royal courts; and dress prescribed for courts of law. ... A trial at the Old Bailey in London as drawn by Thomas Rowlandson and Augustus Pugin for Ackermanns Microcosm of London (1808-11). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards and make it more accessible to a general audience, this article may require cleanup. ... An Oxford University DPhil in full academic dress. ... The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford in England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. ... The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University), located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and has a reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. ... St Marys College Bute Medical School St Leonards College[5][6] Affiliations 1994 Group Website http://www. ... The Kings College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor, commonly known as Eton College or just Eton, is a public school (privately funded and independent) for boys, founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. It is located in Eton, near Windsor in England, north of Windsor Castle, and... Three Canadian officers in shawl or rolled collar jacket and waistcoat style mess dress or mess kit. ... This article is about the navy of the United Kingdom. ...

References

1. ^ Moore, Matthew. "Gordon Brown gives in to Lord Mayor's dress code", Telegraph, 2007-11-13. Retrieved on 2007-12-27. 

Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 317th day of the year (318th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (362nd in leap years). ...

External links

• Definition of white tie
• Formal working dress of Attendants of the German Parliament
• Living Gentlemanly (the details of wearing White tie)