white tie and tails

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Explanation of "White Tie and Tails"

Definition: "White tie and tails" is a type of formal clothing that men wear for very special events, like formal dinners, balls, or high-class parties. It includes a black tailcoat, a white bow tie, and usually a white waistcoat (vest).

Usage Instructions:

• When to wear it: You wear "white tie and tails" for the most formal occasions. It is more formal than "black tie." You would not wear it to casual events or even most formal events; it is reserved for the most prestigious gatherings.
• How to wear it: Make sure everything is clean and properly fitted. You should wear polished shoes and often have a white dress shirt underneath.

Example:

• "He looked very elegant in his white tie and tails at the charity gala."

Advanced Usage:

• Sometimes, "white tie and tails" can be mentioned in discussions about etiquette and social events, particularly in formal invitations or dress codes. For example, an invitation might say, "The event is black tie, but for the gala, we request white tie and tails."

Word Variants:

• There aren’t many direct variants of "white tie and tails," but you might encounter:
  • Black tie: Another type of formal wear, but less formal than white tie. This includes a black bow tie and a tuxedo.
  • Formal wear: A general term that can include both white tie and black tie, as well as other types of formal clothing.

Different Meanings:

• "White tie" can sometimes be used to refer to the level of formality in events. For example, "This is a white tie event," meaning guests should wear white tie and tails.

Synonyms:

• Evening dress: A general term for formal evening wear, but it can include other styles.
• Full evening dress: Another term for white tie attire.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "white tie and tails," but you might hear expressions like: - "Dressed to the nines" – This means someone is dressed very elegantly or fashionably, which could imply wearing white tie and tails in the right context.

Summary:

"White tie and tails" is a very formal dress code for men, suitable for the most elegant occasions.

Academic

Noun

1. formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men

Synonyms

• dress suit
• full dress
• tailcoat
• tail coat
• tails
• white tie