Morning coat
Morning coat: what is it and when do you wear it?
The short answer
A morning coat is the formal daytime suit: a black jacket with long tails, a plain grey waistcoat and grey striped trousers, worn with a white shirt, a silver-grey tie or plastron and polished black shoes. You wear it only before sunset, and never with a bow tie.
The morning coat is for daytime ceremonies: a wedding, christening, swearing-in, Prinsjesdag or the races. It's the daytime version of formal dress — the evening calls for a dinner jacket and tailcoat.
The three pieces
The jacket is black, with short rounded front panels, a long tail and a single button. Underneath, a plain grey waistcoat and grey trousers with subtle black stripes, without turn-ups.
Shirt and tie
A white shirt with double cuffs and a silver-grey tie or plastron. A bow tie belongs to the evening and therefore not to the morning coat.
Shoes
Polished black oxfords. Patent leather is for the evening.
Morning coat
Morning coats
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Frequently asked questions
- Can I wear a morning coat in the evening?
- No. A morning coat is daytime wear. If the celebration continues into the evening, a dinner jacket or tailcoat is the right choice.
- Do I wear a bow tie with a morning coat?
- No, a silver-grey tie or plastron. A bow tie belongs with the dinner jacket (black) and tailcoat (white).
- Is a morning coat only for the groom?
- No. Fathers, witnesses and guests wear it too when the invitation calls for it, and it's part of more daytime ceremonies.
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