White Tie Guide

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White Tie Guide
Complete Book Of Etiquette

“Tailored to fit, “white tie” can give any man a special dignity and distinction as do no other clothes.”

Complete Book of Etiquette
Downton Abbey Jack Ross in Splendid white tie outfit
Downton Abbey Jack Ross in a splendid white tie outfit

Sartorial Superlative with Strict Standards

White Tie requires full dress which, as its name implies, is the highest order of male civilian attire. With a patrician pedigree dating back to the English Regency its rules are as rigid as its clothes are resplendent.

Table of Contents
  1. Sartorial Superlative with Strict Standards

The dress code is also extremely rare these days as it is associated with only the most ceremonious of occasions. Therefore should you find yourself fortunate enough to receive a White Tie invitation it is vital you pay attention to detail as this will likely be your sole opportunity to get it right.

While the less formal Black Tie code provides leeway to channel a variety of looks from 1930s movie stars to modern day superspies, White Tie is a virtual uniform that brooks little deviation. When executed sloppily it is no more than a magician’s costume. When carried out skillfully, its adroit balance of militaristic authority and refined elegance elevates the most ordinary of men to Royals and Rockefellers.

White Tie Tailcoat Outfit with Silk Top Hat Sven Raphael Schneider
White Tie is the pinnacle of sartorial excellence and is best achieved with superlative accessories, like those offered by Fort Belvedere
Small White Marcella Pique Single End Bow Tie - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

White Marcella Pique Single End Bow Tie

White Initial Pocket Square - Hand-Embroidered in Italy

Fort Belvedere

White Linen Pocket Square with Handrolled Edges

A photo of a Dark Red Carnation Boutonniere Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Dark Red Carnation Boutonniere

A pair of black silk socks made by Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Over-The-Calf Black Silk Socks

Below find all of the sections of our White Tie Guide. Or, if you prefer, consider our White Tie Guide ebook, available in the Fort Belvedere shop. 57 pages long, with over 90 photos, it will teach you all you need to know about White Tie Dress Code Etiquette and how you can look your best in a tailcoat.