formalwear

Formalwear refers to clothing worn for events that require a high standard of dress and a defined dress code, typically categorized as formal or black-tie. It covers daytime morning dress and evening attire, with white-tie and black-tie rules that determine garments, fabrics, and accessories.

In men's formalwear, white-tie requires a tailcoat, a white dress shirt with a wing collar, a white bow tie, a white waistcoat, and black shoes. Black-tie allows a tuxedo or dinner jacket with a formal shirt, a black bow tie, a cummerbund or waistcoat, and black patent or satin shoes. Morning dress, for daytime events, typically includes a frock or morning coat with a waistcoat and matching trousers, a tie, and polished shoes.

Women's formalwear includes long evening gowns for black-tie events and refined daytime dresses for less formal occasions. Accessories such as gloves, jewelry, clutches, and heels complete the look. Etiquette guides include considerations of neckline, sleeve length, and dress length relative to the event’s formality.

Historically, formalwear evolved from aristocratic court dress in the 18th and 19th centuries to standardized Western codes in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it remains a marker of ceremony, though trends have broadened to include diverse fabrics and modern silhouettes, with regional adaptations in the UK, North America, Europe, and Asia.

Common occasions for formalwear include weddings, galas, state functions, and formal dances.