White Tie

This is the most formal of evening attire. The gentleman wears a long black dinner jacket with tails. A white pique vest is worn over his formal shirt and a white pique bow tie is also worn. Only formal black shoes with a spit shine should be worn with this attire. White gloves are sometimes carried which a gentleman may wear when he dances with a lady. If he is a diplomat, he may wear his pins with the colors of his country on his dinner jacket.

Recently, my husband and I were invited to attend The Consular Ball, which was to be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton and Towers.

The invitation stated White Tie Preferred, Black Tie or National Dress.

This is not only a very formal event, but also a very impressive one. The flags from all of the countries that send Consul Generals to Chicago are displayed on the stairs of the Chicago Hilton and Towers the evening of the event.

The Consul Generals dressed splendidly in White Tie.

My husband decided to go Black Tie.

There were also some wonderful examples of National Dress at the event.

When the gentleman is wearing White Tie, the lady who accompanies him should always wear a long, very formal evening gown. If she chooses to wear gloves, she may leave them on during the cocktail hour or when she is going through the receiving line. If she happens to be in the receiving line, she may also leave her gloves on when she greets and shakes hands with all of the guests.

At the table, however, she must remove her gloves and place them on her lap during the dinner. She may put her gloves on again if she wishes to participate in the dancing after dinner.