The American name is taken from Tuxedo Park, New York.
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2 When is it worn 3 See Also |
In the days when evening dress was worn every evening, black tie developed as a form of evening dress of which the components did not require costly frequent laundering and starching, unlike white tie.
Black tie leaves a lot to the wearer's discretion compared to the far more codified white tie (e.g. single- v. double-breasted coat). Nonetheless, so far as a convention exists, it is that black tie properly consists of:
In the United Kingdom, it is felt in some circles that wing collars are properly the preserve of white tie, and that a shirt with a soft turn-down collar should be worn with black tie. Nonetheless, in its earliest forms black tie was worn with a stiff white shirt and stiff wing collar.
Black tie, having originated as an informal dress code for e.g. dining at home, has no single accepted form of headgear. Generally a soft black felt hat such as a homburg may be worn together with an overcoat. During the summer, a straw boater may be worn.
In the United Kingdom black tie is only properly worn in the evening, i.e. after 6 p.m..
It is worn at many private and public dinners, dances and parties, and it would be impossible to draw up a comprehensive list. Instead it is easier to see at the more formal end where it is not worn by considering events that require white tie.
In some other places such as the United States it has become common to wear black tie at weddings etc. during the day.What is it
Cufflinks and shirts studs can be black, white, silver, or gold. A white handkerchief and flower may be worn. Recently it has become acceptable to wear state decorations with black tie at state events.When is it worn