White Tie – Trousers

Purists will tell you that trousers worn with white tie are different to those worn with black tie. By this, they mean that whereas the latter have one line of braid down the outside of each of the legs, the former have two lines of braid. In practice, very few people know this and, in poor lighting, it is difficult to tell the difference in any case.

What's more important – especially if you are tall – is trying to find a pair of trousers which are cut high enough so that no gap appears below the waistcoat and above the trousers. Rather perversely, you stand a better chance of finding such a pair if you're buying second-hand – modern-day trousers made to be worn with dinner jackets are cut low like most other trousers these days. If you do find a pair of trousers cut high (with a "fish-tail back"), you will also need a pair of braces. Such trousers weren't made to be worn with belts.

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    Last updated St Peter, 2007