Tailcoats

Tailcoats, also known as dress tails, are a form of formal men's outerwear distinguished by a short front and long tails at the back. They are traditionally part of white tie evening dress and are associated with formal, ceremonial, and state occasions. Tailcoats are typically black or midnight blue and may feature satin or grosgrain facings on the lapels.

Design features include a cutaway front that reveals a waistcoat and shirt when worn, while the back extends into two tails reaching below the knee. The lapels are often peaked and satin-faced. The coat is usually worn open, with closures hidden or absent, and is paired with matching formal trousers that have a satin or grosgrain stripe along the outer seam. The ensemble is completed with a white dress shirt and a white bow tie for white-tie events; a waistcoat may be white or off-white.

Variations and related garments: The tailcoat is distinct from the morning coat, which has a different cut and tail treatment suitable for less formal evening wear. In some ceremonial uniforms, tailcoat silhouettes or elements persist. Historically, tailcoats were standard evening wear from the 19th century onward, but their use declined in the mid-20th century and is now mainly reserved for ultra-formal occasions, such as state dinners, royal ceremonies, and certain formal weddings.

History: Tailcoats originated in the 18th century and evolved into the dominant form of formal evening dress during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today they remain a symbol of the most formal dress code and are seldom worn in casual settings.