Tailcoat

Wearing a Dress Shirt with a Tailcoat

The dress shirt with wing collar is an essential part of a tailcoat, the most formal evening attire for men. This classic white shirt, often made from fine cotton or piqué, forms the foundation of the tailcoat and lends an elegant, refined look. The dress shirt with wing collar is characterised by its stiff front, wing collar and double cuffs, which are traditionally fastened with stylish cufflinks. When wearing it, a perfect fit and an immaculate appearance are essential, as they enhance the look of the entire tailcoat.

Etiquette for Wearing a Tailcoat

The tailcoat is the most classic form of evening wear for men. As a result, there is a specific etiquette to observe when wearing one. This traditional tailcoat is worn only at formal galas and elegant events with a 'white tie' dress code. At ceremonial occasions such as a doctoral conferral at a university, the male doctoral candidate and the paranymphs are also expected to appear in a tailcoat. As mentioned earlier, the tailcoat must never be worn buttoned. Furthermore, a tailcoat is always combined with black patent leather shoes and a white bow tie. Hence the name 'white tie'. So never wear a black bow tie!

Beneath the long tailcoat belongs a low-cut white waistcoat made from piqué, a type of cotton. Beneath that waistcoat, a white starched shirt is worn. The shirt worn with a tailcoat has the most formal collar of all shirts, namely the wing collar. You recognise it by its upright collar with folded-down tips, and it is always worn with the white piqué bow tie.

Then there are the tailcoat trousers. They are made from the same fabric as the tailcoat and are also black. The waistband features traditional adjustment buttons. So should the trousers fit slightly too snugly, the buttons allow you to adjust them without it being visible. According to white tie etiquette, you do not wear a belt. Finally, the trousers of a tailcoat have a galon on the side, a satin braid along the outer seam of the trousers. This is also found on tuxedo trousers.

Tailcoats as Refined Evening Attire

A complete tailcoat consists of a four-piece suit: a tailcoat jacket, trousers, a dress shirt with wing collar and a white tie waistcoat. Perhaps the most important element of any tailcoat is the jacket. This tailcoat is black and has pointed satin lapels. The tails are cut long at the back and slightly shorter at the front. On the front of the tailcoat are 6 fabric-covered buttons. These are purely decorative, as etiquette dictates that the tailcoat is to be worn open at all times.