Tailcoat
A tailcoat is the most formal men's suit for white tie occasions such as galas, balls and official dinners. In this collection you'll find the tailcoat with matching tailcoat trousers, white waistcoat, dress shirts, patent leather shoes, socks and white bow ties — everything to follow the dress code down to the last detail. This makes it simple to put together a complete tailcoat outfit, from jacket to shoes.
Wearing a Dress Shirt with Tailcoat
A dress shirt is an essential component of a tailcoat, the most formal evening wear for gentlemen. This classic white shirt, often made of fine cotton or piqué, forms the foundation of the tailcoat and creates an elegant and stylish appearance. The dress shirt is characterized by its stiff front, wing collar, and double cuffs, which are typically fastened with elegant cufflinks. When wearing a dress shirt, it's important to ensure a perfect fit and impeccable appearance, as this enhances the overall look of the entire tailcoat.
Etiquette for Wearing Tailcoats
Tailcoats are the most classic form of evening wear for gentlemen. Therefore, there is also specific etiquette you must follow when wearing a tailcoat. This traditional tailcoat is worn only at formal galas and elegant events with a 'white tie' dress code. At ceremonial occasions such as university graduation ceremonies, male graduates and their attendants are expected to wear a tailcoat. As mentioned earlier, the tailcoat jacket should never be worn buttoned. Furthermore, you should always pair a tailcoat with black patent leather shoes, and it's customary to wear a white bow tie. Hence the name 'white tie'. Absolutely do not wear a black bow tie!
Beneath the long tailcoat jacket, you should wear a low-cut white waistcoat made of piqué cotton. Under that waistcoat, a white starched shirt should be worn. The shirt of a tailcoat features the most formal collar among all shirts, namely a wing collar. This is recognized by its open collar with folded points. Tailcoats should always be worn with an open collar.
Then there's the tailcoat trousers. The trousers are made from the same fabric as the tailcoat jacket and are also black in color. Traditional adjustable buttons are attached to the waistband. So if the trousers are slightly too tight, the buttons give you the option to adjust them without it being visible. According to white tie etiquette, you don't wear a belt. Finally, the tailcoat trousers feature a stripe down the side—a satin braid on the seam of the outer leg. This also appears on smoking trousers.
Tailcoats as Formal Evening Wear
Complete tailcoats consist of a four-piece suit, comprising a tailcoat jacket, trousers, dress shirt, and waistcoat. Perhaps the most important component of all tailcoats is the jacket. This tailcoat jacket is black in color and features pointed satin lapels. The tails of the jacket are cut long at the back and slightly shorter at the front. Six fabric buttons are attached to the front of the tailcoat jacket. However, these are purely decorative. It is etiquette to always wear the tailcoat jacket open at all times.