White tie

White tie is the most formal Western evening dress code, typically requiring a black tailcoat, white bow tie, and formal gown. It is worn at select ceremonial and state occasions.

Tailcoat: A formal men's jacket with tails at the back, worn for evening dress and certain ceremonies. Its cut is the defining outer garment of men's white-tie attire.
State banquet: A formal meal hosted by a head of state for visiting dignitaries. White tie may be specified for the most ceremonial state dinners.
Victorian era: The period of Queen Victoria's reign in Britain, from 1837 to 1901. White tie took shape as elite evening dress during this period.
Morning dress: Formal daytime dress traditionally including a morning coat and waistcoat. It is the daytime counterpart to white tie's evening formality.
White bow tie: A bow tie made of white fabric, traditionally worn with a formal evening tailcoat. It gives the dress code its name and distinguishes it from black tie.
Diplomatic protocol: The rules and conventions governing official relations and ceremonies between states. Protocol can determine when guests are expected to wear white tie.
Edwardian era: The period associated with Edward VII's reign, from 1901 to 1910. White tie remained the standard for the most formal social evenings.
Lounge suit: A matching jacket and trousers worn as a standard business or social suit. It is substantially less formal than white tie.
Waistcoat: A sleeveless garment worn over a shirt and beneath a jacket. A low-cut white waistcoat is traditionally worn beneath the tailcoat.
Royal court: The household and institutional setting surrounding a monarch and their official activities. Court ceremonies helped preserve white tie as ceremonial dress.

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